NASHVILLE – Well, we made it.
For real, this time.
The Titans kick off the 2024 season on Sunday against the Bears in Chicago.
From this point on, the Titans will be answering a lot of questions on the football field.
But for today, this will have to do.
Let's roll out another Titans mailbag before heading to the Windy City…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Steven McSeveney from Glasgow, Scotland
Question: Hi Jim. Can't wait for the season to begin. I think we've had a really strong off-season and I'm very much looking forward to seeing what we can deliver on the field this year. The week 1 game against the Bears happens to be on my birthday - and incidentally also Chig and Josh Whyle's - so I'm hoping the guys can deliver me a W as a birthday gift. My brother is actually a Bears fan, so my house is going to be loud on Sunday!
Before the season begins, I'm cautiously hopeful of a sneaky playoff appearance, but I'd also be over the moon with a winning season for a first year, totally revamped team. (I did say optimistic!)
I'm curious what you believe our biggest improvements have been between last year and now?
Keep up the great work!
Jim: Good to hear from you, Steven. And, happy birthday! Hope you have a big day – and you don't get in a fight with your brother! 😊
This team feels so different, especially on offense. It's just a different looking style, with a ton of new faces across the board. I think that's where you're going to see the biggest improvement – less predictability, more explosive, and more points. I also know there will be some growing pains, that everything isn't going to be perfect at the start. But I think it's going to be a fun season, with more entertaining games.
Bill Holmes from Fairport, New York
Question: Happy September, Jim! I am thankful we were able to retain Bryce Oliver and Gabe Jeudy-Lally on the practice squad. I predict both will play a huge role this season when given the opportunity.
Chicago will be a tough test to start with, but I see a lot of bulldog on both sides of the ball - and more importantly, in the coaches. I loved Vrabel and his ability to get the most out of his guys, but I think the balance of talent and the versatility of the (apparent) playbook will bring us better results. Carthon might be our MVP after all is said and done.
My question: I know the "pundits" all have us as a .500 team at best. What is the general take on why we fall short? Too many changes, unproven? Thin at position(s)? Major flaws?
Jim: Hey Bill. I have no idea what the "pundits" are thinking. When the franchise has gone 7-10 and 6-11 the past two seasons, I get the doubts. Let's not forget the Titans have lost 18 of the past 24 games. It's part of the reason Vrabel got fired. But this is a new team, with a new coach and a whole bunch of new players. We're about to see how things go.
Ali Sinkular from Tennessee
Question: Is D Hop expected to be on the field versus the Bears?
Jim: Hey Ali. Well, Hopkins practiced all week. The team officially listed him as questionable for Sunday's game, and coach Brian Callahan called him a gametime decision.
Qwantez Brown from Dyersburg, Tennessee
Question: The Titans have simply got better, but one thing has been holding them back from success, qb. Can Will Levis be a full time starter in Tennessee or will Mason Rudolph start a part of the reg season and become the starter?
Jim: Hey Qwantez. Will Levis is the team's starting quarterback. Barring an injury, no one is planning on that changing during the season.
Michael Lewis from Tuscon, Arizona
Question: Hey Jim, ready for some football!! I think Levis will throw for 4k yards & 30 touchdowns. How close do you think he will come to these numbers?
Jim: I think a lot of folks would be happy with those numbers. Time will tell, Michael…
James Weise from Winfield, Alabama
Question: Do you know what uniform combination the Titans will wear this weekend against the Chicago Bears?
Jim: White jerseys, light blue britches, navy socks.
Jae Jones from Washington, D.C.
Question: Hey What's Up Jim?
It's My Favorite Time Of The Year, Football Season
Ba-BBBBYYY!! *Dick Vitale Voice* 😂 Lol.
I Can't Lie, I'm More Excited Than Normal To Watch This Years Titans Team.
As An Out Of Town Titans Fan, I Like To Always Thank You For Your Incredible Work, & Keeping Us Out Of Towners Updated On All Titans News & Events.
My Question Is In Regards To The "Britches".
Why Are We Wearing The "Luv Ya Blue" Throwback Oilers Jersey's Only Once (Maybe Twice correct me if wrong) This Year & Who Can We Talk Too, To Get Them In Rotation A Little More Next Year?
These Are The Best Throwback Jerseys In The Game & We Titans Fans (& The Rest Of The NFL) Needs To See Them More Often 😎.
Hope To See You In Washington In December.
Titan Up ⚔️
Jim: Hey Jae. Sounds like you're fired up!
The plan is to wear the Oilers throwbacks once, on the regular season finale against the Texans in Week 18. The light blue jerseys have been worked into the rotation, and that impacted the numbers. This is the owner's call. I get that folks love the throwbacks, but judging from the feedback I've received, I get the sense folks are loving the light blue back in the uniforms, whether that's jerseys or britches.
Reinhard Schiendorfer from Fosdinovo, Italy
Question: Hi Jim, what has happened to Chig? I cannot find him in the depth chart anymore.
Jim: Hey Reinhard. He's there, I promise, separated with a / alongside Josh Whyle – that's probably how you missed it on the depth chart. The Titans need Chig to settle in and take off this season. If he's able to do that, the offense would benefit greatly.
Donnie Brown from Ashland City, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. It's a new year along with a new coach and a new team. I know fans will have a lot of questions and theory of where our Titans Team will finish this year. A lot of questions about why we kept 5 TE's. I see us having a very tough schedule and finishing anywhere above .500 would be a win-win for us! You don't build a superbowl team in one year, sometimes you just get lucky. So our fans shouldn't get to excited before seasons play. First we need to stay 100% healthy, second our coaches need to make sure players on the field can execute and third we need to protect our quarterback at all cost. I think that's the reason for keeping 5 TE's, they are bigger and block better than WR's protecting our QB's. Can't wait for our first game! Jim do you think if we go 2-2 on our first 4 games that would be a win to start? Thanks for all your input and analysis you are the best! Keep up the good work-Go Titans!!!!!!!! Donnie
Jim: I hear ya, Donnie. And, while you'll never get a coach or player to agree with you on this, I'd take 2-2 heading into the bye in a heartbeat.
Dana Pickerel from Las Vegas, Nevada
Question: Hi Jim. Could you please tell Will Levis to go back to wearing number 7 now that it's available. Thank you.
Jim: Hi Dana. Will is not changing his number to 7. He said this week he loves 8, and he has no plans to change numbers.
Jim Williams from Lubbock, Texas
Question: Hi Jim. No question today, just my predictions for 2024. The Titans will finish 11-6 and win the AFC South. Will Levis will throw 36 touchdown passes and for 4K yards. Calvin Ridley will have 9 TD receptions. Tony Pollard will rush for 1K yards. Jeffrey Simmons will have 12 QB sacks. Quandre Diggs will have 6 interceptions. T-Sweat will win defensive rookie of the year. Ryan Stonehouse will average 52 yards per punt. Brian Callahan will win NFL coach of the year. Ran Carthon will win NFL executive of the year. Titan fans have a lot to look forward to in 2024, Jim.
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Jim.
Joyce Bentley from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: I hope you can answer my question, and I hope that you don't think that it's not a stupid one! I remember before Covid the Titans used to have Women's Football 101. Is that still around or do you anticipate it coming back???
Jim: Hi Joyce. I asked around on this and right now no current conversations are going on about a return.
Steve Furry from Cape Canaveral, Florida
Question: Hi Jim. Hope you and your family are doing well. Thank you so much for your expertise with Titans Organization. Love reading your weekly mailbags. Just one statement from me. This is the first time in several years as a Titan fan that I am FIRED UP!!! about our Team this year. With all the changes in coaches and players. I am so excited to see our team play. I can't wait for all the haters to realize that our team is for real and we will finally get the recognition we deserve! Titan Up!!!!!!!!!!
Jim: Appreciate you reading, Steve. Looking forward to kicking this off myself!
Have a great weekend everyone!
