NASHVILLE – It's about time to get back to action.
The Titans face the Jaguars on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
It comes at the end of another busy week, which saw the team trade safety Amani Hooker to the Bills.
Let's dive into another mailbag and see how everyone is feeling …
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Will Turner from Lebanon, Tennessee
Question: OK, Jim, I've been watching Cam play for 1.5 seasons. I was super bummed for him after he hurt his shoulder scoring that touchdown against the Jags in last season's final game. I thought he was really going to light it up that day.
Anyway, I've been watching him this season, and my big question is what Daboll is telling him in meeting and practices. From my perspective, it looks like protecting the ball has been drilled into him A LOT during preseason practices and continues to be, because he is intent on protecting the football. Maybe that's been too much of an emphasis? Gotten too loud in his head? Is that a thing? (He's had turnovers, but come on, every quarterback throws picks and gets stripped sometimes.)
He also seems determined to be a pocket passer. Is that just a Cam thing or is Daboll making that a point with him? Or has the play calling been limiting him from using his legs more, even been limiting his thinking in that direction anyway? Cause he's got good legs.
Could one of the reasons he's been having better 4th quarters be that, because he's been playing 3 quarters of football he's finally gotten comfortable and whatever's been mentally distracting/limiting him has quieted down, and then he can just play ball?
Or is it just a matter of he and Daboll figuring each other out, how to communicate with each other effectively?
It just seemed like something was holding him back, and I don't think it's lack of talent. What's being poured into people matters, and I'm not saying the coaches are being jerks or anything, but maybe just drilling in conservative play/protect the ball at all costs/don't make mistakes too much?
Or maybe they're telling him the opposite--just let it fly, etc. IDK. That's why I'm asking!
Jim: Hey Will. These sound like a question for Ask Daboll. I do think Cam being careful with the football is a good thing – you see all the INTs thrown by QBs last Sunday? I think the Cam/Daboll relationship is developing, but I can't tell you exactly what he's telling him inside meeting rooms. I watch him in practices, and I've seen significant improvement. And, we saw that in Cincinnati. Judging from how things went early in the season, it looked to me like Daboll was being a bit conservative with the approach, making Cam earn his trust. Daboll allowed Cam to do more against the Bengals, and he looked capable. So, we'll see how things go from here.
Caleb Todd from Dyer, Tennessee
Question: I love the Titans and will support them for life. I also am willing to call out what I see and say that the past few years have been a disgrace to rebuilds and traded away our potential for seemingly nothing. Now that we have a couple good pics like Cam Ward finally warming up as well as a golden road of picks within the next couple of years. What can we expect to see not only from the aggressiveness of the offensive line to score, but also a mindset as to where the picks might be focused at? I love the new coaching staff, and it seems like we are finally trading with a purpose to be contenders in a few years
Jim: I agree this rebuilding process is taking too long, going on 3-4 years now. But I also think Borgonzi is paying for the sins of previous decision-makers, and he's now going about it more aggressively. Remember, it's just year two for Borgonzi. The picks are valuable, if you get them right. This team has so many needs, it's hard to pick one or two. What I want to see – and I think what everyone else wants to see – is more impact players.
Robert Karr from Euless, Texas
Question: Hi Jim. Now that the trade deadline has passed....what do you expect for the back half of the season? I'd like to see some of our young talent get more opportunities. With picks and trades what does our draft capital currently look like for 2007 and 2008?
Jim: Hey Robert. I'm curious to see what it looks like myself. I'd like to see some young guys play as well.
As for draft capital, the team now has nine picks in the 2027 NFL Draft – two in the first round, two in the second round, a third, two fourths, a sixth and a seventh. The team has two first round picks in 2028, a second, a third, a fourth, a sixth and a seventh. So, some good opportunities.
EM McFarland from San Diego, California
Question: Pretty apparent why we can not have anything nice (winning record, playoff contender, division winner)
It is really hard to win in the NFL when things are going well.
It is nearly impossible when a team and it's owner, gm, staff and players keep self sabotaging.
We do this dance every time they practically give away another player..
Ok so they picked up one extra player in draft for Simmons.. That does not replace the teams best player. Now we are giving away Hooker and practically paying Buffalo to take him.
The Titans can not stay out of their own way. I do not believe this is what improving teams do. A team still will need quality players to improve
How does this improve the team? Does ownership believe fans will support the team no matter what it does?
Giving away a proven commodity for a maybe.
Jim: I like both the players you mentioned. I hated to see both of them go. I hate the fact the franchise is still in rebuilding mode.
But the team didn't give away either of these guys. I think most folks across the league agreed getting two first round picks for Simmons, and getting a second for Hooker, were pretty nice returns for guys about to hit 30. Of course you have to hit on the picks.
Brad Smith from Kent Island, Maryland
Question: Hey Jim. Please help me in understanding? If you are a team that is struggling wouldn't it be ideal to obtain as many great players as possible as opposed to trading them to winning franchises and making those teams better? We just traded away our top 2 defensive players to simply accumulate picks. We had arguably one of the best DT in the NFL and a safety that just came off a 3 int game! Aren't those considered valuable assets? AND we did not do anything to obtain any established players from other teams! We simply made the great teams better and rolled the dice with getting picks instead. I don't believe it was a money thing. I am not sure where our cap is but I am sure we could afford to gain established players while also keeping 2 of ours! It's just baffling to me that we are simply tearing it all down instead of building on what we have and Simmons & Hooker were having great seasons. Makes me feel like we were just showing them off to give them to winning franchises.
What burns me the most is that every year I get a new jersey rotating offense & defense each year and this year was for my fave defensive guy jersey that I didn't have. I had been debating all year between Cedric Gray and Hooker. So immediately after Hookers 3 int game, I purchased his jersey. I just received it in the mail Saturday and had it hanging ready to go for this upcoming game, then the trade came down yesterday and I was beside myself! Now I can't wear it or send it back because I had it custom made. It simply is going in the closet. I NEVER thought he would even be considered to be traded especially after one of his best games as a Titan! Simmons was our defensive anchor up front and Hooker was our main DB. PLEASE help me understand this thinking better.i will remember these trades and the picks we receive and hopefully see who he gets us.But I am afraid if it's any one who becomes a great player for us than they will also become expendable as well. Hopefully in 3 years we will have these future pics pay off and I can say it was worth it, but right now I am upset and shaking my head,..I will still be watching and rooting, just not in my new Amani Hooker jersey or my Simmons one anymore. To the closet for retirement,.I've had a jersey or 2 only worn for a year aka Julio Jones,.but never did I get not to wear one at all..oh well
Jim: Dang, sorry about that jersey purchase. I feel for you on that one.
Harry Prentiss from Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Question: While I understand stockpiling top picks and as a fan of this franchise since 1965 I've seen many icons get traded or just leave. What bothers me with Big Jeff and Amani leaving is there's little to no experience on the defensive side of the ball although it's an improving but porous unit anyhow.? I just hope we get good results from 4 picks in the top 64 and we finally turn the corner. We are going to enter year 4 of a rebuild and in a league where teams have quick turnarounds that's depressing. I am optimistic because the last couple drafts have brought some good young talent we need some wins.
Jim: I hear ya, Harry. Like I've said, the GM needs to hit on these picks to get this thing turned around. I completely understand the frustration from fans on all this. Again, it's tough to acknowledge the team is still in rebuild mode. But I think we have to admit this is rebuilding 2.0, after a previous failure to launch, or execute, under the prior regime. Two players remain from the 2023 draft (Skoronski, Spear) and two remain from the 2024 draft (Latham, Gray, Williams (IR) and Harrell (IR). No one is left from any draft class before that. So, it's all about what happens from here.
Will Rubino from Memphis, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim! I'm excited that the Titans game will be broadcast on the local Memphis Fox Channel this weekend! Thank you again for your help in addressing the broadcast situation. I hope we can be competitive against the Jags - our offense seems to be clicking so that's a good sign. Hopefully the defense can hold it together through all the recent changes and injuries. How do you feel about the guys stepping up to play this weekend? Let's see who will make the most of the opportunity! Titan up!
Jim: Glad to hear that, Will. Definitely a lot of moving parts, especially on defense. It's going to be a challenge. I don't think a lot of folks nationally, or probably locally, think the Titans have much of a chance. At least you'll get to see for yourself tomorrow.
Richard Robles from Springfield, Tennessee
Question: Hi, Jim. With the time to come, I think the Titans needs to beat the Jags with the game plan. I think with everything set. It'll be time to think about something. Time to win the 2nd game.
Jim: Right on, Richard.
Have a great weekend everyone!
