NASHVILLE – Training camp is now officially two weeks away.
Hard to believe, huh?
We're in the middle of position previews leading up to camp here at tennesseetitans.com. The first – quarterbacks – ran on Monday, and we'll pick up on the running backs on Wednesday, the offensive line on Thursday, and tight ends on Friday before continuing with receivers at the start of next week.
Then it will be on to the defense.
But taking a quick break today for the Titans mailbag.
Here's the link to ask questions: CLICK HERE.
Let's do this …
Rachel Callura from Greenwood, South Carolina
Question: My question is: I think the Titans really need Jadeveon Clowney on our team. It does not matter that he used to be on the Houston Texans team – he's still a great player. There is only limits he can accomplish on the Titans. He could take the Titans to the playoffs and to the Super Bowl. I think Mike Vrabel and Jon Robinson should try everything in their power to get him a contract and try to work out a contract, too, to get him on our team. Second question: I think we need to try to keep Derrick Henry. I like him. He's a very fast runner and he broke the single great running record. He' a fast runner we need to keep him around -- we do not need to get rid of him.
Jim: Hi Rachel. Clowney continues to be a popular topic in this mailbag, and I get it. He remains a free agent, he's a good player, and the Titans haven't tried to hide the fact they're interested in him. I think everyone would like to have him, but in my mind he's a luxury, and not a must-have. Would he make the team better? Yes. Is he worth breaking the bank for? No. Clowney has to decide what he wants, and if he wants to be in Tennessee, the contract has to make sense. In the event he goes elsewhere, I also think the Titans can do special things without him. As for Henry, there's absolutely no doubt the Titans want to keep him, and no matter what happens with talks regarding his long-term deal (the deadline to get it done is Wednesday), I expect Derrick to be with the team in 2020 and 2021 at least.
Hunter Knopp from Franklin, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim! Appreciate what you're doing during this tough time. My question is about Nissan Stadium. Will they be making more upgrades and renovations to it?
Jim: Hi Hunter. Yes, it's coming. In recent years the team has made a lot of changes – swapping out all the seats, adding mammoth video boards, new ribbon boards, upgraded WiFi, a new sound system, new elevators to the upper deck, a new paint job. But more dramatic changes are coming in the future. I can't say exactly when, but I can tell you it's in the discussion phase. Amy Adams Strunk said previously she likes the look of Hard Rock Stadium, so keep that in mind as it relates to a potentially new-and-improved Nissan Stadium. And after visiting Hard Rock Stadium several times, including last year's Super Bowl, I can tell you it's, as the cool kids say, lit.
Randy Schulte from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Jim, in response to Frank Thomas (and his recent comments in the mailbag) who attempts to find a solution to the standing/kneeling/sitting conundrum during the playing of the national anthem, a far simpler solution is to stop playing the national anthem before sporting events. My question for you is this, "What have you observed to be the key leadership qualities displayed by Coach Vrabel that have helped mold the Titans into winners?" Thank you - really enjoy your mailbag!
Jim: Hi Randy. Thanks for the suggestion. And I'll get to the question. What stands out most about Vrabel is his passion for the game, and how he holds everyone accountable. Vrabel is a no-excuses guy. It's how he was as a player, and it's how he is as a coach. Players have bought in to his style because they know it works. Just look at his track record of success.
Albert Gardner from Flower Mound, Georgia
Question: Hello Jim and thank you for reading my post. There was a fan in last week's Ask Jim talking about how he loved to listen to Titans games on Titans Radio. Well I would also love that too except I can't figure out how. I listened to 104.5 the zone every day and love everyone on there. Except during gametime the game is always restricted I guess because of where I live. So, my question is: Do you have any idea how a person living in the Dallas area could listen to Mike Keith and crew during live games?
Jim: Hi Albert. It sounds like TuneIn is your best bet. After doing some research, I found out the NFL, not the 32 teams or individual radio stations, controls the rights to audio streaming of local radio game broadcasts. The NFL's official streaming partner is TuneIn. For a fee, you can become a subscriber and can listen to Titans Radio's broadcasts of each Titans game on TuneIn (and a lot of other NFL programming).
To learn more, visit www.tunein.com/nfl and/or download the TuneIn app.
Hope this helps you listen to Mike Keith say, "Touchdown Titans!"
David Jenkins from Ashland City, Tennessee
Question: What happens to players like Logan Ryan and Clowney if free agency comes and goes and no one signs them?
Jim: Hey David. If they don't sign, they don't play. But I think both players are waiting for the right opportunity, and it's just a matter of time before we find out their landing spots.
Greg Donmoyer from Spring Hill, Tennessee
Question: No question just a plea for a return to sanity. I love football & the Titans. I am a 24 year veteran who loves America way more than he loves the NFL. Not black America or white America, just plain old America. Sports should be a unifying force in our country not one that adds more division. That said, the idea of a black national anthem is so divisive as to be the antithesis of what America stands for. I accept and even support (strongly disagree with the action but accept) the right of the players to kneel during THE National Anthem but if the NFL goes forward with playing a song labeled as the black national anthem, they will lose me forever. This is no empty threat, just a fact. Although that alone will not affect the leagues bottom line enough to sway the league, I suspect I am only one of many who feel this way. I would appreciate you ensuring that the Titans ownership group knows that I (and any others that write to you) feel this way so they can bring Mr. Goodell to his senses before doing something that could potentially lead to the end of the NFL. Feel free to share my contact info with the ownership group if they would like.
Jim: Hi Greg. Thanks for sharing your thoughts…
Ashton Hill from Madisonville, Tennessee
Question: Why do you think every person that works for ESPN or anything like that think that we are going to go only winning 5 games or less? I don't know if you have seen it but I have and I just don't get why look at the players we have.
Jim: Hey Ashton. I'll be honest: I don't pay much attention or get worked up over to preseason prognostications. The only thing that matters is what things look like at the end of the year.
Have a great week everyone!
