NASHVILLE – It's time to turn the page.
After a disappointing loss in the season opener, the Titans return to action on Sunday at Nissan Stadium against the New York Jets.
Let's dive into another Titans mailbag while we wait…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Cedric and Michelle Anderson from Memphis, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. Lots of pendulum fans swinging around lately… which is okay. Football is SUPPOSED to elicit passion from a fanbase. I'm sure the team would much rather have this than apathy and malaise from the fandom.
As for Will Levis? I tend to be more even-keeled than most, but I'll admit he had a pretty terrible game, compounded by a very terrible decision towards the end. There have been bad games from great quarterbacks — it happens. The Cobra Surrender kneeling didn't help his cause any, the memes and gifs (and jokes) are just too perfect to pass up at that point. But my (new) wife and I will still be rocking our Levis jerseys in Nissan Stadium this weekend because he is our QB right now, and thus we will support him for as long as that's the case.
Which brings me to my question: Although I am a LONGTIME supporter of the Titans (since the Air McNair days), this weekend will be my first time attending an NFL game. I'm trying to convert my Cali-born wife to fully commit to the team and leave those 49ers behind, so I hope the team performs and the pressure is on for me to show her a great time in Nashville! What time do fans begin arriving to the game? What time do they open the doors to the stadium? When is the best time to arrive for good parking (and where should we park)?? We'll be staying in downtown Nashville Saturday night, so I'm open to restaurant suggestions as well. Over the summer we tried Kayne Prime and really enjoyed it. Wouldn't be surprised if a move to Nashville is in our future.
Hopefully you aren't put off by all the questions. If anyone else in the fandom wants to reach out with suggestions, we're open! cmanders@go.olemiss.edu. Go Titans! (and Hotty Toddy to the dual Ole Miss fans!)
Jim: Good to hear from you, Cedric. Hope the Andersons have a big time! Gates will open at 10 a.m. Some fans get there really early, others prefer to mingle outside. Here's a link that will show you all of the pregame festivities, and game info: https://www.tennesseetitans.com/stadium/gameday/.
Lots of great options for food, depending on how nice, or casual, you want it to be in downtown Nashville on Saturday night. The Southern (on 3rd Avenue South) is really nice, a little fancier. Martin's BBQ downtown (4th Avenue South) is more casual. Fifth+Broadway (at 5306 Broadway Avenue) is an establishment with a wide variety of restaurants, so you might want to check that out. Lots of options there. Be safe, and have fun. My wife went to Ole Miss, btw, played golf on scholarship there back in the day. How's that for a fun fact?
Ben Mead from Cherry Valley, New York
Question: Hey Jim, I finally have collected my thoughts after that embarrassing loss in week 1. I really thought this team would come out in the first week and make a statement. And in some ways they did! The defense looked awesome and as the season goes on and they start to gel watch out! J.C looks like a road grading tackle and the numbers reflect it. So my question to you is: After adding all the wr talent and installing a new system with pass catching rbs. Should the Titans revert back to their old ways of simply running the ball and playing good defense? We all said that this offense was only as good as Will Levis. Maybe it's best to protect him from himself? Thanks Jim
Jim: Not sure I'd call it an embarrassing loss, Ben. The team played hard, but clearly made some inexcusable mistakes in the second half. Will Levis knows this, and the special teams unit does, too. But do you think the defense was embarrassed with that performance? Half the teams across the NFL lost in Week 1, some looking a lot more anemic than the Titans. Let's see another game or two before thinking about changing the entire offensive approach.
Gary Reinke from Hendersonville, Tennessee
Question: Jim, I have been out of town and missed the cuts and trades. My question is why not hold on to a promising young 25 year old place kicker who was traded to my former home team Packers, and trade the current Titan 39 year old place kicker Folk. Why not go with a younger kicker to develop into the next 15 years plus? Thanks in advance.
Jim: Younger isn't always better, Gary, especially at kicker. The Titans kept Nick Folk because he's been a reliable pro his entire career. It wasn't that long ago when the Titans had a major kicking problem, cycling through kickers. I hope Brayden Narveson has a great career in Green Bay. He's a nice young man, always went out of his way to say hello here. But he wasn't automatic like Folk was in training camp (31 of 33 vs 21 of 28) and he's not as battle tested. The Titans went with more of a sure thing, one less thing to worry about.
Jordan Law from Chapel Hill, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim! Just wanted to respond to all the negativity in the mailbag🙄. Y'all need to give the Titans a chance, guys! It was one week under a new offense and a new head coach! And listen, I know that game really stunk, but that doesn't mean you pull the plug on Will already. Personally, I would give him the season (barring injury) and see what he does. If he's good, then we have our quarterback of the future! If he does terrible, then we will have a high draft pick for a quarterback. Also, looking forward to maybe seeing Malik Willis Week 3!
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Jordan.
Jonathan Leavitt from Riverside, California
Question: Regarding Will Levis' play last weekend; many in the last mailbag spoke of the poor decision on that toss by Will. Trying to make something out of nothing...
I didnt see anything regarding the hard hit he took to the lower back on that run where he put his body out there. I cringed watching that hit, then the television broadcast showed Will with some type of a back brace on the sidelines. Is he Okay?
Jim: Will is fine. Practiced all week, and he's not on the Injury Report.
Ryan Rojas from Los Angeles, California
Question: Big Jim, what's going on.
I'm stressed, unhappy and hurt.
I loved what I saw from the defense but our offense looked like the usual highs and lows. What's the atmosphere and spirit like with the team this week following a disappointment like Sunday ?
Jim: Football players are a resilient bunch. It's been a good week, and guys are ready to play again.
Joe Levickis from Joelton, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim! Brutal game this weekend. However, it's just one game and I'm looking for reasons to stay upbeat heading into the Jets game. I thought our new-look secondary working in conjunction with our pass rush was incredible---holding Caleb Williams to under 100 yards passing. I did notice once wrinkle from my vantage point that I wasn't expecting though---Some looks where Arden Key was actually playing an interior spot. Do you think this is more of a 'nascar' type rush package, or something we're tinkering with due to a lack of interior depth behind Simmons, Sweat, and Coburn?
Jim: Noticed that too Joe. I think you're going to see defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson line guys up all over the place, at spots you're not used to seeing them. With Jamal Adams expected to make his debut on Sunday, he'll add another piece.
Jarin Sloan from Miles City, Montana
Question: Well definitely a lot of first game jitters on offense. I thought the new line looked good for the amount of time they have had together. I feel with d-hop out there once healthy and timing with Ridley improving we could be a.500 team. Will made some bad decisions and definitely needs to slide unless he wants a short season/career. Also had flashbacks to indy game with that punt block. Defense looked much improved. This game was tough to watch and not cheer for both sides, as my late cousin was a die hard bears fan and made me one before I could pick my own team. I feel we have a good chance to surprise nah sayers as long as we don't shoot ourselves in the foot. Still early and most of the errors are correctable. My question for this week's game is d-hops health and will the passing game be utilized more with all the talent at wr now? Appreciate you always taking time to answer your mail bag!!
Jim: DeAndre is off the injury report, and should be good to go for a lot more action. He's looked a lot better in practices.
Raul Cervantes from Houston, Texas
Question: What are your thoughts on the coach (his body language) during the game and after game talking to the press. Is he ready for calling the plays and being the head coach?
Jim: Looked very comfortable to me. And, I appreciate his honesty in answering questions.
Terry Sanchez from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim thanks for all that you do. My question is not related directly to last week's game. My question is are the Titans going to keep going like in the past just do enough to win by a field goal like always? When are we going to start scoring in the 30s and 40s and not play to keep it close like in the past? I'm tired of sitting on my heels waiting on a field goal to win. We need some blow out games not like well we are ahead by 14 in first half then we lay down and bam its winning by a field goal again. Hope this made sense Jim and again thanks for what you do!
Jim: This is a great idea, Terry! I'll let the fellas know to try and score more points this week. 😏 ... The reality is the team hasn't been good enough to do that over the past few years. But I can promise you folks are trying.
Jeremiah Wyatt from Poughkeepsie, New York
Question: I would like to start off by saying I love this team with a burning passion enough of all the negativity we are a new and improving team we gotta set some things straight that's it. I know are guys can pull through. Man I'd love to give these boys a pep talk!
Jim: Stop by the locker room in pregame, Jeremiah! Do I have relatives in Poughkeepsie?
Have a great weekend everyone!
