NASHVILLE – Five OTAs down, and several more to go.
The team's minicamp is now just around the corner.
Yes, the offseason is flying by.
Meanwhile, questions continue to fly into the Titans mailbag.
Let's open up this weekend's edition …
Here's the link to ask questions: CLICK HERE
TaQuarius Hill from LaVergne, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim Big Titans fan. How are the boys looking so far this off season?
Jim: Hey TaQuarius. I'm not going to blow any smoke in here and tell you to buy plane tickets to Phoenix for Super Bowl LVII. It's been some good, some not as good. A lot of work needs to be done before the team plays the Giants on September 11. Plus, several of the team's key players aren't here for the voluntary workouts, and some other guys are recovering from injuries. I do think the Titans are going to be a solid squad once the season rolls around, but it's a process, and it's early.
Eli Decko from Youngwood, Pennsylvania
Question: How are ya Jim? I am very concerned about our offensive line. Last season they just did an all around poor job. Sure some guys had some good moments but none of them strung together consecutive games worth of professional level film. How do the Titans expect to be better when the most important players on the field are being manhandled play in and play out. Let's not forget the Colts defensive line got much better this off season with Paye getting healthy and having a year under him and Yannick getting signed. We have all seen him make Taylor Lewan look silly, there's lots of those plays. I'm not very confident that even adding one of the free agents remaining would even slightly help. Nobody is going to want to trade to us because the Titans were already a 1 seed and a team trending up. Houston is gonna be sneaky good and their defense ate us alive last season too. Please tell us there is some master plan about to unfold or Maybe David Stewart comes out if retirement and plays Right Tackle for us and maybe we can get lucky and have Bruce Matthews join him in a comeback. This team is desperate for offensive line that can play.
Jim: Good to hear from you, Eli. I can tell you David Stewart isn't coming out of retirement. Bruce Matthews is now 60 years old. Let's let some things play out on the o-line before going into full panic mode. Taylor Lewan, like him or not, is still a very good left tackle. You should be happy the team re-signed center Ben Jones this offseason. Nate Davis is experienced, and he's mostly solid. Now the Titans need Dillon Radunz to be the player the team drafted him to be at right tackle, and I like some of the options at the other guard spot. And, if the GM doesn't like what he's seen as the season nears, he's proven he's not afraid to make a move.
Jose Herrera from Agua Dulce, Texas
Question: Hi Jim! Big Titans fan from Texas here and i was wondering when info about this year's training camp will be available? My wife and i are looking to take a road trip to Nashville in hopes of catching a day of training camp. Just hoping that Titans will allow fans at some of the training camp practices that way i could plan accordingly.
Jim: Hey Jose. I've been getting this question a lot lately. I'm going to keep including these answers in the mailbag periodically because I don't want anyone to be surprised. It's my understanding there will be some fan access for training camp, but it's likely to be limited. What that means exactly remains to be seen. But I can tell you it's not going to be an open-the-floodgates situation like pre-COVID because of the new construction, limited parking, and reduced space because of the new wing on the building at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Will have more information as we get closer to the start of camp in late July, but things are going to be tight.
Anthony Moore from Melbourne, Australia
Question: Gday Jim. Hope you're going well. My son attends Culver Stockton College and we're keen to know how Andrew Rupcich is going at camp Assume he'll find his way on to the practice squad as he was an UDFA…
Any updates would be appreciated Thanks mate. ~Anthony
Jim: Hey Anthony. Man, Andrew is a popular guy. His uncle wrote in asking about him last week. Andrew Rupcich is a big boy -- 6-foot-6, 318-pounds. He's holding his own so far, but will know a lot more when the pads come on. OTAs, as coach Vrabel said, really look like a passing camp more than anything else.
Luther Green from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. I hope that you and your family are doing great and the Titans and our great fans. Hey what are our chances of landing Deebo Samuel or another great receiver to help our team we need another weapon have a blessed day jim.
Jim: Hey Luther. I'd say the chances are probably Slim and None on Deebo, and I saw Slim outside of Tootsies waiting on a Lyft. Just keeping it real, and realistic, here. But I still think we could see another receiver added at some point. Have a good weekend, Luther.
Horace Collins from Glenpool, Oklahoma
Question: I just wanted to know how Derrick Henry is progressing and wanted to know his prognosis was for the 2022-2023 season. Tyvm.
Jim: Hi Horace. Derrick hasn't been around for the voluntary OTAs, but I have no doubts about him. He's working hard, and he'll be ready. I'm sure he'll be extra motivated by all this talk about him being on the verge of a downward spiral. Ttyl.
Kristian Adams from Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Question: Hey Jim, with the addition of McCreary and return of Farley, it seems like Tennessee will have a nice, young and physical secondary this year. How have things been going in the OTA's? And what's your take on the group overall?
Jim: Hey Kristian. I think it's a promising young group as well. I've liked the looks of McCreary, and I think Farley has made great strides this offseason as well. But Farley and Kristian Fulton have been wearing the yellow pullover jerseys in the OTAs in some of the work as they recover from injuries, and cornerback Elijah Molden has been sidelined as well. I think in camp these guys will be good. Meanwhile, veteran Buster Skrine will be in the mix with Chris Jackson, Greg Mabin et al.
Landon Ward from Lafayette, Louisiana
Question: Hey Jim, how is rookie Kenneth George looking in Titans camp?
Jim: Hey Landon. Kenneth has made some plays. A lot of fans are familiar with him around here because he played at the University of Tennessee. Kenneth earned a roster spot after a rookie minicamp tryout, and I've noticed him several times since. He's a scrappy DB. He needs to keep it up, and at this point is still probably considered a long shot to make the 53-man roster. But I know that hasn't slowed him down yet. He just needs to keep working, and keep making plays.
Tommy Henley from Cookeville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim hope all is well, but just wanted to say and not to be negative, but it's funny how the critics our counting our team out this year! In which I hate to hear I hope our team builds confidence an puts a 50lb chip on their shoulders but us Titans fans loves being underdogs anyways just wanted to know any words about our new stadium? An is Jim Swartz still with us? I hope so. Thanks again Jim an hope to hear from you sir.
Jim: Hey Tommy. Nothing new on the stadium, and Schwartz is still with the team.
Robert Conlon from Baltimore, Maryland
Question: Hey Jim, was wondering how Cam Batson is doing and will he be in the mix at WR this season 🏈
Jim: Hey Robert. Not sure if you saw it, but Cam signed with the Falcons this week. I wish him well – he's a good guy and a tough player.
Jack Walker from Calabasas, California
Question: Hey Jim. Any chance we see Malik Willis this year, with some playbook additions? I'm picturing Tannehill under center with Henry and Willis in the backfield.
You can hand off to Henry to run, hand off to Willis to run, hand off to Willis to get outside and throw.
How do you defend this formation? Stack the line on the side that Henry is on and Willis can run the other way. Stack the line and Tannehill or Willis can both pass.
I'm excited, Jim.
Jim: Hey Jack. I know a lot of fans are excited about the possibility of seeing him. It all depends on Malik, and his progress. I know he's working on getting up to speed as quickly as possible, and the coaches are working with him. But right now, I don't envision him lining up in the backfield as part of a gadget play.
Bob Galasso from Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Question: Hey Jim. Just some observations here. The Titans offense will certainly look a little different this year even with RT17 and Derrick back. Losing AJ was a significant loss, but I agree with your previous comments regarding the Titans weren't going to pay him the kind of money he wanted and his inability to stay healthy at times. With that said the addition of Robert Woods (despite his rehabbing) and TE Austin Hooper is encouraging. Plus with the continued development of Nick Westbrook-Ikhine plus Treylon Burks despite his slow start I'm optimistic that this year's offense can be even better than last years. Looking forward to seeing how it all comes together on the field this year. Both Mr Robinson and Coach Vrabel have consistently provided a quality team on the field over the past few years and I think at times some of us don't appreciate the fact that they'll continue to work hard until the Titans get that elusive Super Bowl Championship. – Thanks for listening and TITAN-UP!!
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Bob.
Have a great weekend everyone!
