NASHVILLE – And we're on to week 11.
This season feels like it's flying by, even if it's also dragging in the process.
Is that even possible?
Enough of my questions.
Let's get to more of yours in this weekend's Titans mailbag…
Benjamin Roy from Los Angeles, California
Question: I have been a PSL holder since the time the Titans came to Nashville. I also purchased PSL's for the new stadium even though I currently reside in Los Angeles. I went to the Chargers game Sunday, and I watch the Titans every week. I have put my money where my mouth is. So, I feel like I have the right to say this: the Titans have a serious massive culture problem. This has been a problem for years now. Different faces same results. It is tiring. The excuses are also tiring. Give me a break about complaining about the overturned defensive TD. Every NFL game a play like that happens. And do you really think the Titans win that game if the TD is allowed? I was at the game. No way. The Titans score an early TD and then nothing until garbage time when the game is lost. Same as every week. Why is it that some teams are competitive every year, while others self-destruct and are not competitive? I don't have the answers obviously, but something needs to be done to examine this. I know ownership wants to win. But wanting is not enough. It feels like this latest decline can be traced back to draft day when we traded AJ Brown. And watching King Henry go for 200 yards each week is just salt in the wounds. Not to mention there were several discarded ex-Titans on defense for the Chargers who are thriving. So our players do not seem to be the problem. Our inability to develop them to thrive in our system seems to be (Malik Willis another example), and getting rid of generational talent does not help. I wish I had the answers, but our system is clearly just broken, and we won't be winners again until we change the culture and get the right people on board who can do so.
Jim: Hey Benjamin. You've earned the right to vent. I wish I had some answers, and things looked better than they do right now. It wasn't long ago when this team ran the division, made the playoffs 4 times in 5 years, and made an AFC Championship Game. In 2021, the Titans were the best team in the NFL, and the team blew it in the first round of the playoffs. Now, the franchise is in rut that's making a lot of fans like you miserable. The A.J. Brown trade was an obvious mistake, but that's not the reason the team has lost 25 of its last 33 games. Can Brian Callahan help change the course of this franchise? Well, that's what he was hired to do. Same for Ran Carthon and Chad Brinker and everyone else on the personnel side. Time will tell if this crew can do it, but it's clearly going to require some more patience. Thanks for writing in.
Michael Bailey from Winston Salem, North Carolina
Question: Still rough sledding, but observed some areas that provide optimism (Levis' play). Call me a real fan, but as crazy as it sounds, there are still roads for us to make the playoffs. If we win our division games (which is very possible if we play consistently) and Houston picks up 1-2 other losses (I believe they still have the Chiefs and Ravens on the schedule). Hopefully, the team is believing this as well.
Now for my question…I've noticed other teams' QBs take the snap and sprint back sometimes 10-15 yards to a spot and then set to throw. These teams are usually very successful in the passing game, keep their QBs from getting sacked as much, have more room for screens, and have time for the deep splash plays. I don't think I've seen a Titans QB do take that kind of dropback. Is this a "scheme" thing or QB mechanics/preference? And Would this help/hurt us with our offensive line play (specifically on the right side)?
Officiating isn't on our side most of the time (it seems). So we need to put it all out there (trick plays and all) to attempt to get up on teams by 30+ points, and shut people down on the defensive side. Make it impossible for the Refs to put us out of games with their calls. I'd rather a team moves down the field on us only because of bogus penalties, while we continuously intercept the ball on each of those plays. Make them (the refs) make it blatantly clear they are trying to help the other team win in front of everyone. Show them you can't "call" us out of games. Sorry I'm off my soap box now. TITAN UP!!!
Jim: Hey Michael. Playoffs? Playoffs?
This team needs to win a game.
Sorry, couldn't resist.
And, I'm sure as heck not going to start talking about the potential playoffs at 2-7, before this team proves it can win two games in a row, something that hasn't happened since October 2022.
As for your Levis question, I'd say that falls into the scheme. As I mentioned previously, the team is doing everything it can to help Levis avoid taking sacks, although he's going to have to start helping himself in this area, too.
Mark Castiglione from Milford, Massachusetts
Question: Hey Jim, first of all just want to say it's been a pleasure reading and following you throughout your career. I even used to follow your articles when you worked for the Tennesseean newspaper. 36 years, old and born and raised here in Central Massachusetts been a diehard Titans fan, my whole life, and as you can imagine, was pretty difficult through the dynasty and Tom Brady era having all family and friends, religious patriot fans lol. I can definitely say I've seen a lot and stayed loyal and been through a lot with this team but for some odd reason this year, there's just something different and extra about the level of frustration.
Last-thing I wanna do is sound like every other fan writing in and complaining and repeating the same questions but no matter what I keep on going back to a lot of the same things that I'm reading because unfortunately, a lot of them are just true. Very difficulty in the Titans fan this year, especially being excited with the new stadium on its way. I make a trip down in Nashville every year to watch a home game and was so excited this off-season about the direction of the franchise and the off-season moves and the vision of the front office.
Obviously, I understand there's only so much that you are allowed to agree with and/or comment on giving your position of working for the organization, but man, it's panic time. I spent good money on the Sunday ticket and watch every play of every game and there is just no way that I look at this head coach and see that he has command presence of this team and has the franchise going in the right direction. Is it all his fault? Absolutely not. There's fault to go around everywhere, but unfortunately, as we know in this league, things always have to start with the head coach. They take all the credit when things go good and when things go bad, they still have to shoulder the load. I even watch every press conference post practices and I'm just not seeing it. I'm just not seeing what the front office is Promising the fans and it's a lot to ask. Fans to have the patience to hold on and stick by the team on Sunday there is times, I just feel embarrassed for them.
I know many people have referenced Vrabel in the past and you were quick to point out that the team lost 18 of his final 24 games under his direction and not going in the right direction, but I don't know. There was still more of a sense of a little bit of hope under his leadership. I feel like on Sunday. You felt like you still had more of a competitive chance seeing Vrabel on the sideline, then Coach Callahan. Now o obviously not fair to connect the dots looking backwards, and nobody could've seen this, but given where we are now I asked myself would we have been better off, letting Vrabel work through the difficult times and see if he could've come out on the other side of this and turn it around or would we be better off firing him and being where we are? I understand you're probably not allowed to properly answer that question in writing but just something to think about. I knew personally, I would've rather have seen what he (Vrabel) could've done with this roster this year. Given one more chance to work through the difficult times again.
I completely understand what I'm pitching is hypothetical and obviously it's just a connecting the dots looking backwards type of thing, but I guess the main point of what I'm pitching is last year and this year. Both seasons both times where the franchise was in a bad place and heading in the wrong direction but for some reason on Sunday, come game time I just still always felt a lot more comfortable like we can put up a competitive ball game when I saw Vrabel on the sideline versus what I see now.
However, that being said I get it that was last year. This is now moving forward. I hate feeling this way and I hate that this is my first time ever writing into your email after being a lifelong dedicated follower. And also just wanna say thank you for all that you put up with in here and all the great work you do for the organization.. i'm sure at times you have a very thankless role and don't get enough credit, but certainly don't want my frustrations as a fan to overshadow my appreciation for your dedication to the team as well as the fans as well. Thanks for everything, Jim.!!! Sorry it's more of just vent than a specific question but I guess if I had to throw in a question in the mix why is Tyler Boyd invisible in our offense?? Thanks again Jim and I'm certainly not quitting on the Titans. I guess just after 25+ years of follow the team. I was eventually due to write in on a frustrating email lol. Take care, Jim. Hopefully we can finish out the season. Strong.
Jim: Hey Mark. I appreciate you writing in. Fans have every right to sound off in here the way things have been going. I'm always impressed by long-time, loyal, frustrated fans like yourself who continue to take the time to share their thoughts about the team, in here. The day I open up my inbox and there's nothing in there is when ownership, and the team, should worry. Fans still care, and that's a good thing, although I know some have jumped ship, and that's their prerogative (cue the Bobby Brown soundtrack). You brought up Vrabel, and I know a lot of others have been mentioning him more lately as well. I do bring up his 6-18 record at the end of his tenure, because it can't be ignored. It shows the direction things were going at the end, when the change was made. And, the record was just part of the reason he was let go. Mike was/is a good coach, and I think he'll get another job one day. He's a great teacher, knows the game, cares about his players, etc. But, he wasn't perfect. And, we also can't ignore the fact he took over a nine-win playoff team, and his job was to take the team from good to great. He had good players, which helped him have good teams. There were stretches where he overachieved with a banged-up, injury-riddled team. The 2021 team, in my opinion, underachieved. That team had the No.1 seed in the AFC, and was the best team in the NFL that year (remember, during the regular season the Titans spanked the eventual Super Bowl champion, the Rams, in LA and it hammered the Chiefs, who would have been the AFC Championship Game opponent) but blew a first-round playoff game vs the Bengals. After a 7-10 finish in 2022, and a 6-11 finish in 2023, things were going in the wrong direction with Vrabel, in his SIXTH season. There's no doubt things have started off poorly with Brian Callahan, but again, he took over a team that had lost 18 of 24 and he's had just nine games as a head coach, with a bunch of players he wasn't involved in acquiring, including the starting QB. Ultimately, he may or may not prove to be the right fit. At this point, I don't know – it's too early. But if he's not, that still doesn't mean Vrabel was going to get it fixed. He'd already had a lot of time. Thanks again for writing in. This is not me trying to "defend" or "spin" anything, as some folks like to suggest I do. It's me telling you how I feel about it since you asked.
Bill Justice from Penryn, California
Question: Hey Jim. Long time reader, first time writing in. Been an Oilers/Titans fan since about '79! Being in CA, I don't get to go to many Titans games or get to hang out with many fans, but was able to attend the road fan rally this past weekend in So Cal. What a great group of people to get to spend the evening with, and the Titans staff there were top notch. We were sitting up pretty high at SoFi and able to see plays develop. It was frustrating to see receivers wide open down the field on more than a few plays, only to have the ball dumped short to a RB with not a ton of pressure on Levis. I'm just wondering if those are plays that have to be dumped to the RB, or is he just not seeing the downfield players? I'd love to see more of the long ball to players downfield and hope it can happen soon. Really want to see Levis succeed, but man I'm not seeing a lot of progress. Hope it happens soon, TITAN UP!!!
Jim: Hey Bill. Glad you enjoyed the Road Rally. Looked like a great turnout. As for Levis, hopefully he'll go back to hitting more of those as he continues to get experience. The offense needs some deep balls to open things up more. I can't help but wonder if the fear of making a mistake, or poor pass protection, could be working against him.
Dan O'Hara from San Antonio, Texas
Question: At this point in the season, the fans deserve a better attempt to win the game. There is Quarterback school during the offseason and Spring Training next year to evaluate Levis. Put Rudolph in and let us enjoy the game. With respect, your thoughts please.
Jim: Thanks for sharing your opinion on this. My opinion hasn't changed: There's no sense kicking the can down the road with Levis. The franchise needs to find out if he's the guy or not this year, and the only way to do that is by seeing him play. No one wants to restart this process again next season. Sure, it could mean the team finishes 3-14 or 4-13, if he doesn't make strides. But is starting Rudolph, and potentially going, let's say, 5-12 or 6-11, really going to make a lot of fans feel a whole lot better?
Steve Boxwell from Corpus Christi, Texas
Question: Hello Jim
Appreciate your information.
On the Offense how about using
Two Tight ends on the right side
To help from being sacked so much.
Or better yet use extra say even
Nose Tackle just say all I want you do
Is block the pass rusher.
That should give Levis extra time to
Release the football they need to try something
Since once the ball is hiked he doesn't have
Enough time for the receiver to get open to throw the football.
At this point at least make adjustment.
Otherwise the right side has been the problem
All year.
Thanks Jim
Jim: Again, I was expecting this to be a poem at first.
Ryan Alleyne from Orlando, Florida
Question: Hey Jim, Morale is down everywhere it seems. But we have been down before. A lot of us lifelong fans remember those early 2010s years. We will bounce back! My question is about things that can help boost morale. Will the franchise ever bring back Code Blue or introduce a new steel gray alt that I've dreamed of for years? (a man can dream) thanks Jim!
Jim: I miss those Code Blue games myself… As for the potential for new uniforms one day, well, we'll have to wait and see…
David Jenkins from Ashland City, Tennessee
Question: I have a suggestion that I think might help Will Levis. When the team has practice have a two horn system. The horns would be programmed to go off at two intervals, the first one to indicate pressure and the second a sack. For example, maybe set the first horn to go off at 3 seconds and the second one at 3.5 seconds. Once he hears the first one he knows the pocket is collapsing and he better make the proper decision. The second horn would go off very loudly and if the ball is not released, he's SACKED! The intervals could be adjusted as warranted. Dumb idea or am I a genius?
Jim: Hey David. So, a snooze alarm for the quarterback? 😊
Not sure about this, David.
Warnis Hightower from Rosharon, Texas
Question: Hello Jim. Excuse the sarcasm! Derek Henry leading rusher, Deandre Hopkins still catching pass after pass, A.J. Brown is dealing when he's healthy. Malik Willis doing well when he's in the game. And we're stuck with Will Levis. Titans needs a player that fits the game. Not try to make the game fit the player. Let's do bad with Rudolph. Change the entire DL.
Jim: After all these years of success, I'm still surprised by how many folks spell Derrick Henry's name wrong. It's Derrick, like an oil derrick.
Bill Caldwell from Lebanon, Tennessee
Question: Evening Jim, haven't written until now. Just watching and hoping and yelling. Obviously the line is an issue. Not the whole line. Other teams have had the same problems and often find a solution. To me it seems the coaches are focused on making the system they want to work and how Levi's fits in that setup. Haven't seen many rolling pockets or just run the ball until the play option would work. Bully ball. Just standing there a waiting for the pocket to collapse every play is stupid. . I think the coaches need to watch some film from the sixties and adjust. Best to ya Jim. It's a process.
Jim: Good to hear from you again, Bill.
Kenny Gore from Horse Cave, Kentucky
Question: Hey Jim. It's been a while. Mostly because I am trying HARD not to be negative. I'm not sure how to say this w/o sounding negative; so IDK how this is gonna come off. However, you know me by now; I'm really not "that guy."
I was SO excited when we finally hired an Offensive HC; who finally said: "The teams that throw the ball the best; tend to be the team still playing late in the yr." Yet, here we are AGAIN w/the "Same Ole' Titans" Run Run Fail offense... Even the OC said: "We are a Run Heavy Offense." I thought the team was FINALLY going to evolve w/the rest of the NFL. NOPE. We tried for all of what, 2wks?? And decided, yea this is too hard. I know we spent over $40m/yr on WRs & are trying to evaluate a young QB... But it's much easier to just Run nearly every 1st down... And 2nd down... And pass when it's obvious passing situations... There is NO WAY you are REALLY evaluating a QB w/17-23 pass attempts/game. If THIS is the type of offense we were going to run; why the heck did we even bother hiring an Offensive HC?! I AM SICK OF 3hrs OF RB-CENTRIC OFFENSE EVERY WEEK! We are losing every wk anyway! Why would we not actually let the young QB sink or swim PASSING!!?? This is exactly how teams end up starting the same questionable QB for 3yrs; while saying: We're still not sure... He's shown SOME growth/improvement... It's just not fun/exciting. I thought Amy finally got that... Is this ALWAYS going to be the deal w/this team?? It's too hard to change/evolve to a MODERN/Passing offense; so we will just continue the offense we've ran since Jeff Fisher was HC?? It just never fails. "Same Ole' Titans;" stuck in the 80s FOREVER.
Yea, that came out very negative I guess... I hate that. I just HATE watching this team run in place; never really changing. Players/HC/GM/Even the Stadium are different... But nothing ever seems to advance/REALLY change. It's just SO hard/BORING watching this team's offense year over year...
I'm done whining now Jim. Sorry.
Jim: Want some cheese with that w(h)ine? 😊 Just kidding, Kenny. Felt like a good spot for a dad joke. I hear ya. Hope all is well in Horse Cave.
Landen Jackerson from Alabama
Question: why do i wake up everyday and put on titans merchandise to watch garbage football?
Jim: Appreciate the support, Landon.
Johann Ooten from Columbus, Ohio
Question: I had very high hopes for my team this year. It's been very frustrating because the talent is there. I can understand not having major success when we've gutted the coaching staff. Yeah we spent a bunch of money in the off-season to get some good talent but just because a player is good doesn't mean they will fit in a system.. I believe our disappointment lies in that. Even with Callahan. He's trying to put a system together and honestly it does take time.. players are learning a completely different way of executing the things they've learned in different ways. I'm not trying to make excuses for why my team hasn't been good at all but I do see it for more than just going out on Sunday and automatically being able to give the other team a run for their money. I have faith in this organization.. patience isn't something people want to hear in a win now mentality. Now days these young quarterbacks/ players are drafted and these expectations of being a great player weigh heavily on them. I remember when a QB got drafted in most cases we new we wouldn't see him take the reigns right away unless some unforseen circumstances were to happen... They had the opportunity to sit behind the veterans and to soak up their knowledge of the game.. not sure if the veterans in the league now are leading the young guys towards being better players or if it's just become a selfish atmosphere.. Also its like very few know true loyalty. I understand contracts run out and you have to sign to another team. But these players are bouncing around so much it's almost dumb to buy jerseys anymore..(my last jersey I bought was a Steve McNair).. I said all of that to say this, Everyone wants a super bowl caliber team but not to many want to stick around for the process.. look at the lions.. I mean come on..there was a time when nobody thought they would ever be in the position they are in now.. The titans definitely are headed in the right direction.. but we need committed players that are willing to go all in.. stick around.. willing to check the players that are slacking..I believe Callahan and co. will definitely build this organization towards success.. I believe in Levis as well.. yeah he's made some dumb decisions but that's how you learn.. sometimes I think they just need to let him go out with no pressure of meeting any expectations and let him compete...I really love this Team.. I will be here regardless of our record or the score.. patience does pay off and I will have that same loyalty when we get our first Lombardi trophy...sorry Jim I know I didn't ask a question.. just wanted to vent
Jim: All good, Johann. Thanks for taking the time.
Have a great weekend everyone!
