NASHVILLE – Welcome to the first November edition of the Titans mailbag.
How the heck is it already November?
That's my question, but I'll leave the rest up to you.
Here's the latest edition of the mailbag…
And, here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Matt Meyer from Franklin, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. Long time reader and first time submitting to the mailbag. Appreciate your realistic feedback and comments to the fans.
In any high-performing organization you have to look at the results and make thoughtful adjustments to your team. I don't see how Colt Anderson can keep his job as ST Coordinator. Setting records for being historically bad.
Cally says he is a good coach, but a simple decision to kickoff to the end zone and punting out of bounds could have easily avoided all of this …. Why keep making the same mistakes over and over again?
There is culture and chemistry in working with your friends, but we see how that worked for Vrabel and even led to Munchak's demise. Hopefully in the offseason Cally shows us what he is really made of and gets a real ST coach in here. Hoping to not see another punt block or massive return this season.
Jim: Hey Matt. Thanks for reading, and for now taking the time to write in. It's a tough one for the head coach to defend, I can't argue with that. The play on special teams has been really bad, with the punt blocks and now the returns. There have been too many penalties. I've covered this team long enough to remember two special teams coaches getting fired in-season, and replaced. In each case, there was a veteran assistant on the staff to take the former coach's place. The Titans have a younger special teams assistant (Anthony Levine) under Colt Anderson, so it's not as easy to make the move. Coach Callahan really stuck his neck out, and he showed some trust and confidence in Colt. He knows him well. This unit needs to get better, and it needs to help the team win, and not lose. If the Titans have another big issue on special teams moving forward, it's going to reflect just as badly on the head coach because of his decision to stick with him, that's just the reality.
Todd Keefer from Denver, Colorado
Question: I agree with Callahan when he says this team is not as bad as the record indicates. They hung with almost every team except Detroit but they're obviously a notch below.
The secondary looks to be strong with Sneed, Brownlee and McCreary moving forward, as does the interior d line.
I think the o line is improving and just a couple of pieces away on the right side.
Our weaknesses are clear. Pass rushers and linebackers need improving on defense and QB and WRs on offense.
I know you don't like draft questions in October but it's where my mind goes when you're 1-6.
Can you see skipping a QB (which we all know is the most important position) early in the first to take a pass rusher or a playmaker like Hunter or TMac and then a RT early in the second round?
Jim: Hey Todd. There's no doubt this team should be better than 1-6. I look back at the Bears, Jets and Colts games as ones the team pretty much blew. As for the draft, I'm not going to go down this road this early. We don't know where the Titans will be picking, and we don't know for sure who the top prospects will be.
Terry Sanchez from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim thank you for what you do. My question is well am I crazy? I still believe in Will Levis. I don't feel that he has been dealt a good hand. As a rookie in need of guidance he was just thrown into the snake pit. I feel that through proper training he could be almost as good as Steve McNair. People are so quick to judge and want an instant hero. With time I think that Will could be a great Quarterback. Thoughts?
Jim: It's ok to believe, Terry. I get the sense a lot of fans are done with him already. I also know a lot of fans around here never liked him to begin with, so they were never going to give him much of a chance. Based on what we've seen so far, I understand fans being frustrated, if not mad. Let's face it, some of Will's mistakes have played a big role in the team losing games. I can't promise you one way or the other whether he's going to end up being good or not. I've watched the same games as everyone else, and I've seen the same mistakes. I can tell you I think he has a lot of talent, and he's a really good kid. I know that from being around him the last 18 months. I hope he turns it around, because I like him. You mentioned McNair. He was far from an instant hero. I remember well how many fans were completely done with him – at the start of Year 5.
Donald Christensen from Vancouver, Washington
Question: Monday practice: normal and end with 30 minutes of wind sprints.
Tuesday: normal and end with 10 minutes of burpees.
Wednesday: Every single person is special teams the entire practice.
Thursday: Every single person is two point conversion/4th down conversion.
FRIDAY: FULL CONTACT GAME OFFENSE VS DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS.
Coaches try having plays that complement your players. We are worse than the panthers. The players we trade are on playoff contenders teams. It's really sad.
Jim: Thanks, Donald. I'll pass this practice schedule along.
Ted Sparks from Bluefield, Virginia
Question: I understand this is a rebuild, but with the talent that we have on this roster, we should have a way better record than what we have. Is it the coaching staff that we have the problem? I just don't understand how we go from one of the top defenses in the NFL till now? Or are we trying to lose and get the number one draft pick this year? I'm curious about how Amy the owner is thinking about this season if she imagined it being like this going out spending all of that money and we've won one game.
Jim: Hey Ted. I agree with your first take, on the record. It can't all be pinned on a first-year coaching staff. Players get paid a lot of money to make plays, and guys have to be accountable for turnovers, especially at the QB position. Of course the coaches need to put guys in a position to make plays, and it's their responsibility to make adjustments. It's hard to explain exactly why the team has been outscored 111-43 in the second half of games. Everyone has had a hand in that. … No one is trying to lose. I can't believe people actually suggest or believe that happens in the NFL.
Ethan Blue from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Hey Mr. Jim. First time writer to the mailbag. With the Titans now standing at 1-6, this season has seemed to create more questions than what we had in the offseason. The purpose of having as big of an offseason that we did was to determine if Will Levis is the future of the Titans, but Will has only been available for five full games, and the product that he has put on the field has not been pretty. Yes he is still learning but all of the work that has been done to get to this point have seem to be for nothing. We have not been able to get a fair or accurate judgement of Will yet because he has not been fully healthy. It is very early to say anything about him yet, but this was the biggest question that the Titans needed to address this year, and we are still very far from an answer. It seems that many players are not happy with the current situation in Tennessee (as seen with the Dhop trade) and the fans are fed up with many things about this franchise. I believe that these problems were created because the Titans refused to commit to a rebuild. Instead the vision was to try to be a frisky, playoff hopeful team. This offseason was worth the try, but those acquisitions and adjustments have not gotten us anywhere. Now the Titans are here near the trade deadline wondering whether to sell or keep the pieces they have to at least try to compete this year. We are nearly halfway through the season and still many large problems remain for this team. The future is incredibly murky and many things could still happen this season. Any thoughts would be great Mr. Jim. Thank you.
Jim: Good to hear from you, Ethan. And, I hear ya on all this. I never considered this a "rebuilding year." Now did I think this was a Super Bowl team? No. Did I think this team would win the division? No. But I thought this was a team capable of heading into December, with six games left, with a shot to make a run at a playoff spot. It doesn't look like that's going to happen. I think that's led to some of the frustration you talk about, from players, and fans. Everyone expected better. So, what happens next? Again, a lot depends on Will Levis, and what we all see from him down the stretch, once he's healthy. And, a lot will depend on how this team drafts moving forward, and which players are acquired via free agency. Obviously, some decisions of the past continue to haunt this team.
John Greene from Ashland City, Tennessee
Question: Greetings Jim.Rough times in Titan fan's land . I was wondering about the season , and Calie saying they are looking for answers for the right tackle . Have they tried/thought about moving first round pick Skoronski to the right side . Hear me out Yes we know he's doing okay at guard , he was a very good left tackle in college . Despite the very poor play there last year he was left at guard , so the team drafted another first round tackle in 2024 [who looking very good ] , with the season all but over seems like trying him at the right side couldn't hurt , of course at practice first ? Finding a guard seems to be an easier find than a tackle ( and cheaper ) . what is this the 4 years in a row we drafted a tackle , who's grading /scouting tackles and do they still work for the Titans ? who's in charge of the draft I mean shoot can't find a tackle and drafting QB's 3rd round then a 2nd round in back to back draft's ,
wasting picks , missing on picks badly !!! In 27 years this has been some of the worst moves . I hate calling for someone's job but dang .
Jim: Hey John. Skoronski is staying at guard.
Chris Carroll from Jackson, Tennessee
Question: The perfect answer to Titan special team coaching woes, which is mostly kick coverage, is sitting right there in Nashville**Donnie Nickey, one of the Titan special team's greats.
Jim: Titans legend Donnie Nickey…
Bill Holmes from Fairport, New York
Question: We started the season by playing competitively for the entire game but losing by a whisker on a correctable mistake. Now we play competitively for a quarter (or a half) and then let the opponent rack up 30+ unanswered points. Granted, BUF/DET are much tougher opponents, but it seems like opposing coaches figure us out and adjust and we have no answer or Plan B. With New England as the lone possible win in the next few weeks, I'm torn on whether we should play Levis or give him more time to heal. At some point he has to get back out there and start learning how to win in the NFL.
I'm actually less anxious than I was earlier this season. I now feel we are at least *another* season away from winning and need to look at drafting and trading for building blocks rather than immediate impact. I miss The King and D-Hop, but I'm happy they have a legit shot at the SB this year. But we need to build our OL and work towards that consistent, skilled group like the Munchack/Matthews era that functioned as a one mind / ten leg machine. Get fast, ballsy defenders for Dennard Wilson to weaponize. And yes, if by next season Levis still looks overmatched, go the Tannehill route and get a competent game manager while we source another young QB we can believe in.
I look forward to looking forward, starting this week. Let's see who deserves to "Titan Up" as a core piece and who can be trade capital to improve our future.
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Bill.
Enrique Bernal from El Paso, Texas
Question: Hola Jim como estás ? Soy el "Titan" Bernal , fan desde de mi equipo de mis amores desde a finales de los 70's una vez te comenté que por mis venas corre petróleo y mi pasión por mi equipo es tan grande como un Titán !! Te escribo esta vez porque por fin voy ir otra vez a ver a mis Titanes en vivo a Nashville este Domingo 11-03 vs los Patriotas , yo se que no es el mejor momento de mi equipo pero siempre es emocionante poder ver un juego en vivo , soy de las personas que piensa que vendrán tiempos mejores , a veces se tiene que tocar fondo para agarrar impulso , confío plenamente en que Mis. Adams tomara las decisiones correctas para hacer un equipo competitivo en los próximos años ya que estrenaremos un estadio de lujo y debemos estar preparados .
También quería preguntarte que sitios de interés o turísticos me recomiendas para visitar en Nashville?
Saludos !! Y Go Titans !! y Go Dodgers!!
Jim: Hola Enrique. Me alegro mucho de que estés haciendo el viaje. Suenas como un gran y leal fan. En cuanto a las cosas que hacer en Nashville, hay mucha acción en Broadway, desde música hasta comida. Como me escribiste en español, también quiero mencionar este evento en Nashville este fin de semana: El Día de los Muertos será en Cheekwood Estate & Gardens el sábado, con las vistas, los sonidos y sabores de la festividad latinoamericana cuando las familias celebran las almas de los familiares fallecidos. Durante este evento anual especial número 25, los invitados pueden aprender sobre la cultura de México y América Latina mientras visitan los altares de la comunidad, ven murales a gran escala creados por estudiantes de secundaria y preparatoria del área, prueban la cocina auténtica de los restaurantes y panaderos locales y compran productos tradicionales. , disfrutando de actividades prácticas para niños y experimentando una variedad de espectáculos musicales y de danza. El Día de los Muertos en Cheekwood se llevará a cabo el 2 y 3 de noviembre de 9 a.m. a 5 p.m. Como estoy seguro de que sabes, el Día de Muertos es una de las celebraciones más importantes en México y América Latina y demuestra el fuerte sentido de amor y respeto de la cultura por los antepasados al tiempo que celebra la continuidad de la vida. Los boletos cuestan $20 para adultos no miembros. Reserve boletos ahora en: https://cheekwood.org/calendar-events/el-dia-de-los-muertos/. ¡Que tengas un gran fin de semana y vamos Dodgers!
Jeremy Rodriguez from Winchester, California
Question: Well Jim I was reading your mailbag from Oct. 29th and understandably the Fans are not happy with anything the origination is doing. I wish I could point out on bright spot but I can't. I hope Special Teams turns it around fast, I cannot remember a season where a team had such a disastrous Special Teams Unit. I am with you when it comes to Henry. I pull for him every week, and love when he has a great game and the Ravens still lose!!! If you are a long time fan, you know that stench of Baltimore is an odor you never get used to! Let's see how next week goes, hopefully the Pats will be the start of a winning streak! Have a good one Jim and as always TITAN UP!!!
Jim: Hope the grilling is going well, Jeremy!
Have a great weekend everyone!
