ORLANDO – It's Pro Bowl week.
Derrick Henry is here, but the real action involving the Titans is taking place in Nashville, where coach Brian Callahan has been putting together his staff.
I took a quick break down here to bang out another Titans mailbag.
If you've missed the coverage from down here this week:
-Here's a story I did on Derrick Henry, which includes his thoughts on the future: CLICK HERE.
-Here's a story I did after a wide-ranging conversation with Peyton Manning, who discussed Henry, new head coach Brian Callahan, quarterback Will Levis, and the late Frank Wycheck: CLICK HERE.
-Here's a story I did after an interview with Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who talked about his former offensive coordinator in Cincinnati, and new Titans coach, Brian Callahan: CLICK HERE.
And here's the link to submit questions for the mailbag: CLICK HERE.
Neil McGeehan from County Derry, Ireland
Question: Hi Jim, writing to you here from vacation up in NYC. I'm gonna need another one after all this walking!! I've always been curious about the finer details of new coach hire in the NFL. Is it a quick process? Does coach Callahan relocate & get to work right away? And i assume it's just the same for the outgoing coach, pack your bags you're gone!? Maybe a silly question but just curious. Hope you are well!
Jim: Sounds like you've been hitting the pavement, Neil! Well, Coach Callahan has been at work as well, building his coaching staff. I'm sure you saw him at his press conference back on January 25. He was back in the office the next day, and he's been busy ever since. He decided not to make the trip to Mobile for the Senior Bowl because coaches came to Nashville for interviews. I'm sure at some point his family will join him in Nashville, and relocate from Cincinnati. As for Vrabel, he was out the door not long after being informed he was going to be dismissed back on January 9. He told his staff the news after he got word, and was gone.
Randy Duke from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim! I was just wondering if there is any truth to the rumor that the Titans will be getting new uniforms?
Jim: Hey Randy. I saw that rumor, too. The answer is no. No tweaks, no new uniforms. The only thing that could be an option is the light blue jerseys the team has worn previously (before the Oilers throwbacks) could potentially make an appearance, but that is still to be determined.
Blaine Miller from Fayetteville, Arkansas
Question: Hey Jim! On what date are the NFL schedules released? Could you speak to how you think Coach Callahan prepares and does against his former team? Any advantages to being the OC there last year to coaching against them now?
Jim: Early in May for the schedule release. Right now, we know the opponents, but not the dates. As for advantages Callahan might have against his old team, let's not forget they know him pretty well, too.
Josh Bomar from Knoxville, Tennessee
Question: Good morning Jim. It's funny reading your last mailbag and hearing that you started with the Titans the exact same time I started my job as an office guy rather than a manual labor guy. I started reading the mailbag during downtime here at work, not realizing that you had just started writing mailbags at the same time I started reading them. I must say, they have been the same professional consistency from day one until now, so I thank you for that! Now my question..... I have been arguing with a few friends over who we would pick if somehow Alt and Bowers were both available. They say Alt due to the fact that our O-line is the biggest need at the moment. My argument is, we also need pass catchers in a bad way, and if you can get Bowers, you get a blocker and a receiver in one pick. Being born and raised in Knoxville and a huge fan of your alma mater, I have paid close attention to Bowers during his time as a Bulldog. He is a generational talent, and I would compare his abilities to that of Kelce, and Gronk, both of whom have multiple super bowl wins. I wouldn't mind trading up to get him. I know it's a gamble, but so is any offensive line pick. (Just ask Jon Robinson). I'm curious as to who you would take if both players were an option!
Jim: Appreciate it, Josh. Hmm, interesting thought. It's hard for me to say what's going to happen in the draft, because free agency comes first. What if the Titans sign a big-time tackle in free agency? Does that impact the draft? Maybe. I really like Bowers, he's a game-changing player.
Mason Evans from Oswego, Illinois
Question: Hello I am a 12 year old titans fan and my question is are or will you resign the KING and if you will or are why?
Jim: Thanks for reading, Mason. I wish I could tell you this was my call, but folks making a lot money than me will ultimately decide this. I certainly wouldn't vote to tell him goodbye.
Kacey Burden from Columbia, Tennessee
Question: I know you've seen a few head coaches come & go over the years. What are your early thoughts on Brian Callahan so far?
Jim: This will be coach No.6 for me, Kacey. I've worked with Fisher, Munchak, Whisenhunt, Mularkey, Vrabel and Callahan makes six. Coach Callahan made a great first impression, Kacey, and I've been impressed with the staff he's building as well. Hopefully we'll be able to officially announce some of the hires before too much longer.
Marcus Smith from Chattanooga, Tennessee
Question: IF THE NEW COACHING STAFF DECIDES THAT LEVIS ISN'T THE QB THAT CAN TAKE THE TITANS TO A DIVISION TITLE OR TO THE SUPERBOWL SHOULD THEY TRADE FOR A VETERAN QB AND WHAT QB SHOULD THEY TRADE FOR OR DRAFT.
Jim: I'M STICKING WITH LEVIS, MARCUS. GIVE HIM TIME.
Jonathan Humprey from Rumsey, Kentucky
Question: JIM JIM another WIN WIN!! I love the decision on hiring B.C. and cant wait to see what he does to turn around the offense. As always, love reading your stuff everyday and always look forward to your answers to the fans questions. My question is: I see on here where you say "I talked to such an such player this week" or "talked to such and such player twice this week" and I'm wondering have you talked to Henry lately? If you have I'd be (and I bet the other fans would too) ETERNALLY grateful to hear his thoughts on the upcoming season. I mean does he want to stay a Titan? Has he eluded to thinking about a change of pace? If the Titans give him a generous offer would he consider staying vs running off to another team (pun intended)? I believe that he's worth given at least a 2 year contract for X amount of dollars. He has earned it and keeping the ground game with the new HC at the helm might be vital to the teams overall offensive menu of options to get the job done. I'd love to hear his thoughts right now. I bet a lot of us would! Please tell Stonehouse that he is my hero and I sure hope he is feeling better cause we need that leg for sure. It sure broke my heart to watch him take those hits. Thanks Jim! TITAN UP!!!!!!!!!!!
Jim: I actually talked to Derrick yesterday, Jonathan. I included the link to the story up top, but here it is again: CLICK HERE.
Jacqueline Jones from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Will Derrick Henry sign another contract? God please let him do so. Cause he's Worth everything.
Jim: I know a lot of folks feel the same way, Jacqueline.
Bernita Wessel from Nelsonville, Ohio
Question: Are the Titans keeping Shane Bowen as defensive coordinator? He's very knowledgeable about defenses and has done great job.
Jim: I like Shane, Bernita, but the answer is no. The team is going in a different direction.
Mitch Wilson from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: A new GM did nothing to fix the Titans. A new head coach will not either unless...they fix the O-line. One draft pick can fix the left side of the line but the right side leaks like a sieve. We need two of the top three picks (no 3rd pick) to be O-line guys that can start this year. Would be nice if we could spend part of the 80 million to get another quality O-lineman from free agents...someone who could start anywhere. Giving Henry and Spears to get out of the backfield without the defense hanging all over them will put the responsibility square on their shoulders for the success or failure of the ground game. If Levis has time to go through his progressions, receivers will have a remarkable turn around. The ground game will be top 5. The passing game will be above average. After that work on the receiving corps and backend of the defense. Amy needs to make sure they don't waste draft picks on injured/injury prone or mentally disturbed players. They dont need to waste a draft pick on a running back or a quarterback. We don't need them. If you don't need em, they are not a good deal. I guess we'll be rebuilding for a couple of years so developmental players with a high upside for later rounds could be good for the long term. We stand a chance to lose several key players on the defense. Any insider info on what the outlook is for them?
Jim: We all know this, Mitch. Be patient. The o-line is going to look different next year – I can promise you it's going to be a point of emphasis. And with a new o-line coach, which I'm sure you've heard about by now, this unit will be much better.
Jason Knight from Cleveland, Tennessee
Question: Hey hope a is well with you and your family. I just want to say im a big Mike V fan, I think the situation him and Ran were put it would make it hard for any coach. I also know the players seem to love him and most important respect him. I know he had his faults but no one is perfect. What ive read about Callahan is that he has been around a bunch of good to great quarterbacks some of them were great already and even though he had the offensive coordinator position he didn't call plays. Thank you for all you do and GOD Bless you
Jim: Good to hear from you, Jason.
Have a great weekend everyone!
