NASHVILLE – Welcome to the last weekend before free agency.
Things are about to get busy in the NFL.
We'll have to wait and see how busy things get in Nashville, with the Titans.
Meanwhile, the NFL Draft is also approaching, and pre-draft visits are under way.
Let's jump into another mailbag and check the mood…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Joe Levickis from Joelton, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim! I'm excited for Free Agency to open. As the long-time offensive line enthusiast in your mailbag, I'd like to start my campaign to plead with our management to dedicate some serious resources to the right side of the line. After last years 17 game debacle at Right Tackle, I don't think any price is too much to get that spot solidified.
I'm being slightly sarcastic of course, but I sure hope it's addressed early in the offseason. I still believe in Bill Callahan to get the job done, but I'd prefer we give him more to work with. Normally folks don't get all that excited to sign a Tackle, but I think this fanbase would be a strong exception to this rule.
Do you think this will be at the top of the priority list this spring, or do you see us having other pressing needs we might choose to allocate larger resources towards? Thanks Jim!
Jim: Hey Joe. Hope all is well. I'm expecting to the team to address the right side of the line, no doubt about it. My thinking is the team does it first in free agency, with a more proven guy, or guys. As much as an issue as the right side has been, I think the best plan is to address it with players who've done it before rather than hoping a draft pick develops. I'm not saying the team won't pick one on the draft as well, I just think free agency is the safest course of action. Every time I've asked Mike Borgonzi or Brian Callahan about needs, the first thing they mention is the o-line. They know it has to be fixed, and I think that's at tackle and guard.
Greg Swaw from Bon Aqua, Tennessee
Question: I keep seeing people post "QB is our biggest problem" all over the place. Football is won and lost in the trenches people! Seriously did none of you watch the Super Bowl? Patrick Mahomes arguably the "best QB" of this generation looked like an overwhelmed rookie. It was reminiscent of the Seahawks beat down of Peyton and the Broncos, and the Giants ending Brady's run at perfection. That said I have a feeling we're going to trade back seeing we only have 2 picks in the first 100. Anyway my question is actually about the front office structure. With so many people having their own evaluations of prospects and free agent targets, who's opinion is going to carry the most weight with Mr. Brinker? I know a typical NFL "war room" is already hectic, I just can't imagine how ours is going to operate smoothly. Whatever happens I'm a ride or die Titan for life.
Jim: Hey Greg. I think you and Joe would get along really well. … This is going to be Mike Borgonzi's draft. Chad Brinker will obviously have a voice, with others. But Borgonzi is going to pick the players. It's what he was hired to do. A lot has been made about Brinker having the final say, but I don't see him playing the trump card every time Borgonzi said a decision. He's going to let his people work. And, big decisions won't necessarily be made on the fly on the war room. Just about every scenario that could come up would have already been discussed in advance in pre-draft meetings.
Tommy Henley from Cookeville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, I've always a big fan of you and our Team really get things turned around, man we need to hit on every pick I'm praying for that! In this draft class who are some WRs that really wows you, Ohio State seems to always has some of the great ones, but not saying some come from these colleges I've never heard of are great, but I'm really hoping they get that OL fixed, an gel together. I hope they get a QB with accuracy, an leadership an confidence that leans on his teammates, mental toughness. That's saying alot but i hope our HC, GM, an scouts have done their homework. An to Ms Amy I think they made a good choice in our new GM, it seems like he's really worked his way up the ladder for a chance to turn our team around, an win some amazing games so I'm hoping free agency will get it done for our OL , an pick some playmakers in the draft. I can't wait can you Jim guess will see a thanks God bless you , an. your family, an the Titans organization. Titian up, an go Titans!!
Jim: Appreciate it, Tommy. That's the plan, but no one has a 100 percent hit rate. The goal is to hit on as many picks as you can. I can promise you guys are putting in the work.
Anthony Gray from Knoxville, Tennessee
Question: There's a lot going on in Titans world with the draft, free agency and a new stadium. But one thing I haven't heard mentioned is who is going to fill the enormous hole left by Mike Keith, as the voice of the Titans? I know you can't probably share actual names of those up for the job, but can you at least say when an announcement may be made? Typically, Mike and the rest of Titans radio do amazing draft coverage, so I was hoping a new person would be in place by the draft. Do you think the hire will be someone from Titans media that fans are familiar with, or will they hire from the outside? Who will make the hire? Amy? Burke?
Jim: Hey Anthony. You must've missed where I discussed this in the Tuesday mailbag. The process started with about 140 applicants, I've been told. I know it's been reduced to a half-dozen, maybe less by now. I know several candidates were in the building this week. I suspect we'll know something in the next week or so.
Dan O'Hara from Universal City, Texas
Question: The team needs a leader. Draft a QB with the #1 pick, re-sign Rudolph as back up and a teacher. Cut your losses and get rid of Willis. Use your cap to get a better Offensive Line.
Jim: Hate to break it to you, Dan, but Willis was traded away last September. Are you perhaps mistaking Willis with Will Levis?
Rylan Lynn from Wibaux, Montana
Question: Hey Jim, what are your thoughts on us trading down with the Jets and draft Ashton Jeanty as well as trading Tony Pollard for day 2 capital? Everyone keeps saying Abdul Carter is the best overall player in this draft, which is probably correct, but Titans fans should know better than anybody how much impact a good running back can have on a game and Jeanty sure made an impact on Boise State this year, and he could possibly take us back to the Derrick Henry days.
Jim: I'd love to have Jeanty, but the team has too many other needs.
Jackson Hooper from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: 1- What is your favorite team besides the Titans
2-What is your favorite NFL player
3- What made write for the Titans
Jim: Hey Jackson. I grew up in Nashville as a Buffalo Bills fan, dating back to the days of O.J. Simpson and the Electric Company in the mid-70s. I had one of those Sears NFL jackets as a kid, with the blue wool, and red sleeves. My childhood friends could confirm this. In the mid-90s, I got a ticket and drove to Super Bowl XXVIII in Atlanta by myself, sat in the upper deck and cheered on the Bills. Once I began covering the NFL, and the Titans, for The Tennessean in 1999, I had to turn my fandom off, I guess. I don't necessarily have a "favorite" player any longer. But of course I'm proud to work and support the team that now employs me, in my hometown.
As for what made me write for the Titans, I got the opportunity in 2015 after covering the team for 16 years for the newspaper. It was just the right time to make a change, for a number of reasons. Thanks for the question.
Jordyn Cyrus from Beaumont, California
Question: Are the Titans going to stick with Will Levis or are we going to find a new QB?
Jim: Hey Jordyn. Borgonzi and Callahan have both said they intend to give Levis a chance to compete, and when I talked to Will at the Super Bowl, he sounded motivated and up for the challenge. We'll see what transpires in the next few weeks, and in the NFL Draft. A lot of moving parts here, and I consider nothing definitive.
Ed Helinski from Auburn, New York
Question: Hey Jim, Greetings from the Finger Lakes, NY. Here's my short and sweet question to you. In your opinion, how does the Titans offseason strategy change with the increase of the cap? Or does it?
Jim: Hi Ed. I don't really think it changes anything. I think the front office will identify players it likes, and go after them. What that looks like from a spending standpoint, well, we'll see.
Isaak Jama from Orlando, Florida
Question: Hi Jim. I truly appreciate your input. What do think about the Titans going after a good left tackle in free agency, someone like Ronnie Stanley and move J C Latham to the right. Lastly, trade with any of the teams in the top 7, collect enough good draft picks in April.
Jim: Hey Isaak. I mentioned this as a possibility a few weeks ago. Someone then asked Brian Callahan about it at the NFL Combine, and he said the same thing. Right now, JC Latham is projected to play left tackle in 2025. But if the team signs or drafts someone whose strength is left tackle, Latham could move to the right side. This also falls into the we'll have to wait and see category.
Have a great weekend everyone!
