NASHVILLE – We're now just a day away.
The Titans kick off the regular season on Sunday in New Orleans against the Saints.
We'll start to get a lot more answers about these 2023 Titans.
Until then, well, I'll do my best to answer some questions in this weekend's Titans mailbag.
Let's go…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Wayne Randolph from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. Can't wait for week 1, been waiting for months. I think this first game against the Saints is one of the many toss up games (@NO, @CLE, ATL, @TB, CAR, I could go on) we have that will determine whether we win the division or have a top five draft pick. I think our record could be anywhere in between 6-11 and about 12-5, just because of how many close games are on our schedule. What do you think the keys to victory are to starting off this new season with a win, and also what do you think we have to do from a whole season point of view to make sure we end up still playing come playoff time (be it through winning the division or wild card)?
Jim: Hello Wayne. Well, the Titans are going to need to play well on both sides of the ball. The biggest question mark for me centers on the rebuilt offensive line, with four new starters. That group has to be able to protect, and give Ryan Tannehill time. The Titans need to be able to get after Derek Carr as well. It should be a close game. … As for the whole season point of view, the biggest key is staying healthy.
Miller Hile from Brentwood, Tennessee
Question: So far how is DeAndre Hopkins looking for the game on Sunday?
Jim: He's looked good to me. And, in his career, he's been good out of the gate. In nine Week One games, Hopkins has 66 catches for 785 yards and nine touchdowns – that's 7.3 catches per game.
Ted Rutledge from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: What 11 players do you expect to start on first offensive series at New Orleans?
Jim: Well, it depends on what personnel the Titans open up in – 2 TEs? 3 WRs?
The depth chart looks like this: LT Ande Dillard, LG Peter Skoronski, C Aaron Brewer, RG Daniel Brunskill, RT Chris Hubbard, WR Treylon Burks, WR DeAndre Hopkins, TE Trevon Wesco, TE Chig Okonkwo, RB Derrick Henry, QB Ryan Tannehill.
Evan Tatum from Portland, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim. First of all, I just wanna say that Im SO ready for Titans football on Sunday! Anyway, I saw that Dillon Radunz was RT2 on the unofficial depth chart. Do you think that's a sign that he might start at RT once he's fully recovered from the ACL injury?
Jim: Chris Hubbard has a chance to hold the job down until Week 6. After that, the question is whether Nicholas Petit-Frere gets the job back, or if Hubbard has played well enough to keep it.
Sean O'Reilly from Dublin, Ireland
Question: Hi Jim. Just want to write to say I'm really excited for the new season to begin, and I think Ran Carthon done an excellent job in his first year as a GM with some great additions.
Hoping the newly rebuilt O-Line can hold up and allow the offense to put up some points and match what I know will be a solid defense, hopefully all the rookies who made the roster can contribute in some way too
On a personal note, I'm really excited to see the titans live for the first time in London, can't wait to see the King in the flesh and the addition of Hopkins makes it even better.
I'm going for a 11 and 6 season and reclaiming the AFC south title, wishing you a good year covering the team too
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Sean. See ya in next month!
Terry Anderson from Glasgow, Kentucky
Question: Hello Jim. Hope all is well. So, we keep getting washed up kickers. We could have gotten a washed up kicker on waivers and kept the draft pick. Hope this works out well. Missed extra points and field goals lose games. Need a clutch kicker. Hopefully Folk is good.
Jim: Folk has a pretty good track record.
Dale Lane from Canyon Lake, California
Question: Hi Jim I was watching the pre-game hype. And the Titans seem to never get there due respect. Due the player pay much attention to this, and if so, does it make them play with a chip on their shoulders?
Jim: Hey Dale. You came to the wrong guy on this. If you've been a regular in here, you know I'm not high on the 'no respect' angle. … I don't think a team coming off a 7-10 season deserves a lot of respect. If a team wants respect, then it should go out and earn it. The Titans have a chance to start doing that this weekend.
Rodney Dixon from Richmond, California
Question: Thank you for your excellent coverage of the Titans over the years. I am fortunate to be able to go to the season opening game in New Orleans this Sunday while celebrating our fellow Titan Superfan (also from Richmond, CA) Ian Talley's 40th birthday on Saturday! I'm excited to see what our offense will do. Many of the so called analyst are doubting us but that is ok. I think that we are being overlooked once again! I like what Ran Carthon is building in Nashville and I think we will start showing the league beginning September 10th! Titan Up!
Jim: Appreciate it, Rodney. See ya in the Big Easy! Safe travels.
Antonio Harris from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hey man I'm trying to come out and try out for the titans is there anyway I could come out there and show some of my talent off to them coaches?
Jim: Hey Antonio. Let's see how this Sunday goes first …
Have a great weekend everyone!
