NASHVILLE – We made it.
After a long offseason, OTAs, minicamp and now training camp, the Titans take the field for a football game for the first time tonight at Nissan Stadium.
Preseason game No.1 kicks off at 6 p.m. against the 49ers.
To help pass the time, let's discuss some happenings in this weekend's mailbag.
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Ken Han from Boston, Massachusetts,
Question: Hey Jim. I hope you are having a great week so far! I was wondering how JC Latham is doing as I have not heard a lot from him since training camp started.
Jim: Hey Ken. It's been a good week, and now we have a game, so I'm excited about that. As for JC, I've really been impressed by him. I wrote about him some in my observations this week. JC is a pro. He's regularly one of the first guys at practice, and I often notice him on the field doing extra work when no one is around. He's a monster of a man (hard to believe he's just 21), and it looks like he loves getting coached by Bill Callahan. I like how he quickly comes to the defense of his offensive players any time there is a "disagreement" with the defensive players at practice. He's a vocal leader. And, he's a good football player who is going to get better and better.
Connor Wright from Tullahoma, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. I know this may be a silly question but i have read your camp reports and you have Will Levis with 5 int. I'm a little concerned about that is this a result of Callahan having him try throws out that he wouldn't necessarily have him throw in a game to see what the limits are he can go to.
Jim: Hey Connor. Appreciate you reading the practice reports. About two more weeks of those to come and then that's it – what happens in practice stays at practice once we get into regular season mode. You're right on the Levis stats – he's thrown five INTs in his 150 passes so far in camp. A few have been mistakes by him, but others have been him taking chances, and maybe another was the result of some communication issues. The defense has made a few plays. But Levis has looked good to me. He's completing 71 percent of his passes in camp, and he's had mostly good days. Expect to see him a series or two tonight.
Ryan Rojas from Los Angeles, California
Question: What's going on Jim? Just wanted to see how our new RB tandem has been looking in practice? Looking forward to seeing how this new look fits. Since we've previously been ground and pound, thanks Jim.
Jim: Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears have both looked good. Thursday might've been the best day of camp for the running backs – Pollard broke a big run early, and Tyjae had a pair of nice scoring runs. It's going to look different this year with Derrick gone. But it should be a fun 1-2 punch. Keep an eye out for the backs in the preseason, too, including Jabari Small from the University of Tennessee. He's been good in camp, and Hassan Haskins and Julius Chestnut have flashed as well. You'll see all these guys in the preseason.
Joe Schmaeling from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Question: Hello, Jim. As a loyal Steelers fan, congratulations for being smart enough to pick up Mason Rudolph. I can't stop wondering how good he would be if he was given a fair chance here. I have seen several articles on his play in the Titans camp. It sounds like he is outplaying Levis. Levis is a good young player but at this stage of his career, he is probably more likely to make mistakes than Rudolph. Do you see any chance that this could become a legitimate competition? I think we made a mistake, or a series of mistakes, with Rudolph. I think he could be a starter if he ever gets a fair shot. Thanks for taking a question from a Steelers fan.
Jim: Good to hear from you, Joe. Mason has really been good. I've charted all of his throws (I've charted all the QB throws), and he's completing 83.6 percent of his passes in 7-on-7 and team drills combined. I'm not going to sit here and say he's "outperformed" Levis, because the team is working on different things in practice, with different personnel around them. Levis has been subjected to a lot of pressure periods. But it's clear to me Mason is ahead in the race for the No.2 job, and the Titans are lucky to have him. And, I think he's capable of winning games – which, as you know, he proved in Pittsburgh – in the event Levis gets hurt.
Scott Spurlock from Leander, Texas
Question: Well it's another season, Should I pay for the NFL gamepass or Pass on it? Living in Leander (A northern suburb of Austin Texas) And If ya remember I worked at the University Of Texas Installing WiFi meeting the Likes of Vince Young, Colt McCoy Michael Griffin, Aaron Ross. Justin Tucker and...... I could go on and on. Even Then Coach Mack Brown. Any Old who. I'm Retired now and still a Fan of the Titans. Me being Born in Houston makes that a must.. I moved to Nashville about the same time they did. Back in Texas now. but have friends and family in the area stretching from Skullbone to Murfreesboro. Anyway I'm just wondering about the new direction we are headed. My favorite years of the Oilers/Titans was Jack Pardee, Warren Moon and the run and shoot. I know the Bills got us in a playoff sham. But even when they lost they were a lot of fun to watch. The defensive Head coaches always give us boring 10 to 7 games that are no fun to watch.. Yeah I was a defensive player when I played but still.. throw the ball score a ton of points and look like we are having fun while we do it. I hope our new Offensive minded Head coach can bring that to us.. But we still have a bad ass enough defense that we don't have to score 40 points every game. The defense glory days were under Bum Phillips or Jerry Glanville.. Fisher was a bit average to me. Much like Vrabel playing it safe and smart. That crap gets old. It works if you are winning but ya know even when those guys won I was a bit bored and would not have gone to a game even if I was a season Ticket Holder. Maybe because I was a Free Safety when I played.. I love a good pass game. So tell me and I know you can't be honest because these guys sign your paycheck... Should I pay out of my meager retirement money for another season of watching The Titans?
Jim: Not going to advise you one way or the other on this, Scott. I don't buy NFL Game Pass because I'm at the games and I work all day most Sundays. I can just tell you I've had the MLB Extra Innings package every year since the mid-90s because I'm a Dodgers fans, and I'm going to watch them, win or lose. That's my team. And, if you don't think I can give an honest answer because I'm getting paid by the team, then I guess it doesn't matter what I say anyway. Good luck with the decision, Scott.
Jackson Weber from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, Just moved here from California super excited for another year of Titans football, love your work and really appreciate it. I think LB/Edge kinda concern me right now, do you think we try to make one more move maybe addressing the hole, depending the cap room?? I can't wait for a good season! Titan Up!!
Jim: Hey Jackson. Well, I wouldn't completely rule it out, because it sounds like Arden Key is going to be suspended six games based on what's been reported, and on what's been said since. Behind Harold Landry and Rashad Weaver, guys like Shane Ray and Jaylen Harrell are next in line, while Caleb Murphy and others are competing. I'm expecting some pretty intriguing players to hit the market when teams trim their rosters to 53 on August 27. After hearing Callahan rave about Harrell the other day, and based on what I've seen in practices, he could help the cause early. But we'll have to wait and see how things play out. Stay tuned.
Bill Holmes from Fairport, New York
Question: Hi Jim. Although I understand the move and still believe he has lots of gas in his tank, I will miss King Henry as I root for my team. It seemed like his departure was amicable on both sides. I'm wondering whether the Titans have had any discussions about eventually signing him to a one-day contract so he could retire as a Titan?
I realize that's premature, but he is arguably one of the best players to ever suit up in Oiler/Titan history and it would be a class move.
Jim: Good to hear from you again, Bill. I must say, no one is even thinking about any of this now, not the Titans, and not Derrick Henry. Heck, I hope I'm still around when he decides to retire.
Cosme Belmonte from CDMX, Mexico
Question: Dear Jim. I have followed every week and every comment from the offseason, the start of camp and the latest additions. I'm sorry about Hopkins, but I know he will be ready for the start of the season. With the hiring of Quandre Diggs I see a structured defense, actually good, on the offensive side, I read good comments about the veteran Rudolph, he will be a good support for Lewis. I have confidence that Coach Callahan will know how to move the team. My specific question: How far do you see these Titans going at the end of the regular season? Greetings Amigo!, and Titan Up!
Jim: Hola Cosme! I like what I've seen in camp, and a lot of the new acquisitions. I've seen the predictions from others who don't have very high expectations for these Titans. We'll find out in time, but I'm more optimistic about this squad than some others seem to be.
Have a great weekend everyone!
