NASHVILLE – Welcome to the final weekend of the preseason.
The Titans face the Saints on Sunday in New Orleans, and then it will be time for roster cuts, and regular season prep.
We're almost there.
What is already here: This weekend's Titans mailbag.
Let's go…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Joe Leming from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Good morning. Question for you: With the completely new coaching staff in place any chance we see the return of the long-forgotten captain patches!??
Jim: Hey Joe. I know a lot of folks have asked me about this in the past. Mike Vrabel never elected to have captains wear the "C" patch. I asked him about it a couple of times, and got the sense he didn't want to single anyone out by having them wear the "C". Brian Callahan, however, said yes, that's the plan. So, you'll see a return of the "C" patch. Here's what Callahan said on the subject: "I think there's an honor in that. I think it means something to players, especially when it's voted on by your peers. I've always been around teams that have worn the patch, and I think I'll continue that here. I can't speak to before, why or why not. I just know that it means something to guys to wear that. It's an honor, and if they're selected captains amongst their peers, they should be able to wear that proudly." The 2024 captain, by the way, will be announced in the coming week.
Arleen Neisz from Estero, Florida
Question: Hey Jim! While they haven't been the flashiest, this team has been fun to watch so far, at least more fun than last year. One player i'm excited to watch this year is Cavin Ridley. With the other receivers that the Titans have (Hopkins, Boyd, Burks) Do you think he'll serve as the definite WR1? Or do you think Coach Cally will rotate them around throughout the season? TITAN UP
Jim: Hey Arleen. Calvin has been good for sure. Who's the 1? Does that mean that guy has to lead the team in receptions, or yards? I don't think anyone is worried that around here. You'll see plenty of Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Boyd, and others will get opportunities, too.
Mike Knecht from Wappingers Falls, New York
Question: Hi Jim. Hope you are well. Thank you for keeping Titans Nation informed. My question is about Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. I think this kid is great. Does everything he is asked, and has come through time and again. I see that he keeps getting signed to 1 year contracts. I believe the Titans should sign him long term. Is that in the cards? I would hate for him to walk away from the Titans.
Jim: Hey Mike. NWI is another guy who will find his way into the mix. He caught more passes in the 13 training camp practices than anyone else on the team. He's dependable, and knows all the WR spots. We'll see what happens after this year. Could be a lot of moving parts on the team, and at the position, as Ran Carthon and Company build long-term.
Jason Petty from Lebanon, Tennessee
Question: Hello Jim. I hope all is well with you, and your family. After the first 2 Preseason game I can say my optimism for the year is trending upwards, and I'm feeling the excitement for the season finally. Thanks in large part to all your training camp notes, "X" videos, and stories on the team (certain players). So thank you. My question is, with cut down day fast approaching, what do you think the chances are (ballpark percentage) the Titans go after a Offensive Lineman that could add more depth or potentially take over a starting position? Thanks for being so great at your job. We all appreciate you and your work. #TitanUp
Jim: Appreciate you following, Jason. It's been fun – hard to believe camp is over. But the coverage won't stop, I promise. As for the o-line, my biggest question heading into cut down day is whether the team keeps nine or ten offensive linemen on the 53. And, with the seventh overall spot in the waiver wire, I'm not going to surprised one bit if the team makes a few moves.
Benjamin Rosenauer from Indiana
Question: Hey Jim, I know it was just preseason, but I was worried about the run game. The run game was barely working but we still decided to run it repeatedly. I don't want what happened last year with doing nothing but running. I'm sure the scheme will change during the regular season. The last thing is I would like to see Caleb Farley start at safety and Treylon Burks get reps in games with Tyler Boyd.
Jim: Don't sweat it, Benjamin. The team isn't going to give anything away in the preseason. As for Farley, he is not moving to safety. As for Burks, his top priority needs to be to stay healthy, and on the field and available.
Jeremy Kain from Plattsburgh, New York
Question: Hey Jim, I have a couple questions with roster cuts due next week. I'm a big fan of your work, but was truly surprised by something you wrote the other day. In my assessment, Chance Campbell is already a valued player on a solid defense. I was a little taken back to read about him in your "Six Things to Watch" for in the match with the Seahawks when you stated, "Can Campbell keep surging, and enhance his chance of making the roster…" I would think his ability already displayed at this level, along with his less than a million dollar salary, would combine to be a salvation for the salary capped 53 man roster. I like Chance a lot and bet you do as well. It was hard to think about him not making the team while we are in our fourth summer of Caleb Farley not being able to participate fully in camp due to injuries. It may not seem like much by today's sports salary standards, but his 4.3 million dollar salary is currently the 12th highest on the team. We've also picked up a half dozen free agents and draft picks in the secondary this offseason. I believe Chance Campbell will be a Titan at the end of August. Where do you see Farley? Also, what are we missing regarding Saahdiq Charles, a very capable 25 year old who was signed and penciled in for a starting spot, walking away from the game? Something doesn't seem right. If he changes his mind, do the Titans still have contractual rights for the 2024/25 season, or beyond?
Jim: Hey Jeremy. Chance has been great, but nothing has been a given for him in the past because of his injury history. I think he's earned a roster spot, and in my eyes he's the third ILB now behind Kenneth Murray and Jack Gibbens. But I can't see the team giving up on Cedric Gray, and Otis Reese IV has been balling, too. Same with James Williams. Luke Gifford is a valuable guy for special teams, but he's been banged up. There will be some interesting decisions here. … As for Farley, I just can't see him making the 53-man roster with the depth at the position, that's just my opinion. As for what we're missing regarding Saahdiq Charles, well, we're missing Saahdiq Charles. He decided he doesn't want to play football any longer. He'd signed a one-year deal.
Adrian Lopez from Caracas, Venezuela
Question: Hey Jim... Gran juego el del s bado pasado... Creo que los Titanes comprobaron su profundidad en LB y OLB... Crees que Rudolph aseguro QB2 y Willis no har los 53 no logra mover las cadenas.... Let's go Titans...
Jim: Hola Adrián. Para ser honesto, creo que Mason Rudolph se aseguró el puesto número 2 mucho antes del sábado. Ha estado bien durante todo el campamento y fue contratado para ser el segundo.
Greg Serheev from Chester, New Jersey
Question: Hello there Jim. I just have a quick comment this time. I hope the Titans coaching staff is really paying attention to Julius Chestnut. He's been playing incredibly tough/hard in the last couple of years now. I know he had some injuries in the past but he is a solid player. If you watched him closely in the last 2 games he's been getting huge chunks of yards. He's a great weapon to have and hope he's not overlooked.
Jim: Hey Greg. Julius is a competitor, and a good back. Sounds like he's No.3 in the pecking order to me, ahead of Hassan Haskins. Callahan has been pretty open about this.
Roger Wilson from Spring Hill, Tennessee
Question: Hello again Jim. Just a quick comment and a question. The 2's and 3's looked pretty good Saturday night other than a few penalties that need to be cleaned up but overall I thought they looked pretty good. Looks like we might have found some help in the pass rush department in Harrell, he's been showing up more and more in practice and had a good night Saturday. Also great news about Key not being suspended. My question is after watching Narveson kicking the past few weeks and his big game against the Seahawks do you think there is a chance that he takes the job from Nick Folk? It would be a cheaper option wouldn't it?
Jim: The Titans aren't looking to go cheap at kicker. I'm surprised so many folks are even entertaining the idea of saying goodbye to Nick Folk after he was so dependable last season. Folk has been great in camp once again, making 31-of-33 kicks. Do fans not remember the kicking struggles of previous seasons?
Simon Pipkin from Bradenton, Florida
Question: Hello Jim and Titans Nation!! I just watched the Netflix's show Untold: The Murder of Air McNair. Wow was that heavy. Though there were no new insights or breaking news in this tragic event, it was interesting to revisit the days around the 7/4/09 death of the greatest QB to don a Titans' jersey. There are probably many newer fans that do not fully understand the impact that McNair had on this organization in its early years in TN. Or the heartbreak of seeing him trade in his Titans' jersey for the dreaded purple and black of the Ravens. I was lucky enough to go to many home games to see the then Oilers and later Titans in Memphis, Vanderbilt, and finally at their new stadium in 1999. Seeing McNair in person was incredible. You were guaranteed to witness at least 3 or 4 out-of-this world plays by QB 9. Lastly, it was also nice to see and hear from Jeff Fisher in the Netflix show. He obviously loved and cared for Steve. Not that I needed a spark, but it this show did underscore the reason I am a committed fan to this organization.
Jim: Thanks for chiming in Simon. I watched it this week as well.
Have a great weekend everyone!
