NASHVILLE – Titans training camp is underway.
A few practices are now in the rear-view mirror, including Saturday's practice at Nissan Stadium.
Let's take a quick break for a mailbag…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Micah McKamey from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: I've been reading your reports through the first two days, and I'm curious about Cedric Gray. I'm also curious about the O-line outside of OJ and Latham, how are they doing?
Jim: Hey Micah. Cedric Gray is settling in. He's playing catch-up behind a few veterans ahead of him in inside backers Kenneth Murray and Jack Gibbens. Murray is going to be a starter, and he's really caught my eye early in camp. He was really good in Saturday's practice at Nissan Stadium. Gibbens, who is trying to earn the starting job next to Murray, is off to a nice start in camp as well. I said at the end of the offseason program I thought Gibbens was the favorite to claim the job, and nothing has changed my mind since. As for the o-line, it's a work in progress. On the left side, the team is set – JC Latham (left tackle) and Peter Skoronski (left guard) are building chemistry, and center Lloyd Cushenberry is a reliable pro. But things still need to get sorted out on the right side, where Nicholas Petit-Frere remains on PUP. Saahdiq Charles continues to get a lot of work at right guard, and you mentioned OJ – John Ojukwu. Ojukwu has been a pleasant surprise, but he's going to have to hold a lot of guys off with more experience. We're just getting started. Some folks already seem to be panicking about the o-line. C'mon man, we're three practices into camp and the pads don't come on until a few days from now.
Tony Perez from Escalon, California
Question: Hi Jim. Out of all the new free agent acquired, who are you most looking forward to seeing suit up come Sundays when it starts to count? As much as I love offense and skill players, I think I can't wait to see CB L'Jarius Sneed suit up because we haven't had a player of his caliber at corner since Pacman Jones was in town... Finnegan was pretty good but no Pacman... Thanks!
Jim: Hey Tony. Oh man, I could go a number of ways with this one. I'm going to go with Calvin Ridley, because of his explosiveness and speed. I like big plays and I cannot lie, and he's going to be fun to watch. But Sneed should be a difference-maker on defense. Pacman was a special talent, we just didn't get to see a whole lot of him in Tennessee for one reason or another. Finnegan was feisty. Sneed will be physical, and a tone-setter.
Andy Stambene from Lethbridge, Canada
Question: Hi Jim nice to be back and hope all is well with you and Famiglia...With Training Camp starting now I just want to see everyone healthy and playing to their utmost potential. I have a soft place in my Heart for the under-dogs like Burks, Farley, Jeudy-Lally, Molden, Radunz, Petit-Frere, Haskins and J'Quan Jackson amongst others...The Titans have the makings of an Explosive Offense and Blitzing Attacking Defense that can wreck havoc on other Teams...like to see a banner year from a bunch of our vets Simmons, Landry, Hooker, Sneed, Awuzie, McCreary...Hopkins, Ridley, Boyd, Chig, Spears and Levis, and want to see JC Latham and P Skoronski kicking some ass and pancaking people and Sweat making other teams think why they didn't draft this youngster...could be a fun enjoyable year for all the Fans of the Titans/Oilers.
Jim: Sounds like you're ready to go, Andy!
Hector Hernandez from Teziutlan, Puebla, Mexico
Question: Que tal Jim buena tarde, espero que estes bien al igual que tu familia, antes que nada quiero comentarte que estoy muy feliz porque con mucho trabajo, ahorro, esfuerzo y sacrificio ya tenemos nuestros boletos para estar en el nissan stadium en la semana de presentacion de nuestros titans frente a los jets, estamos muy emocionados y ojala podamos conocerte en persona, ya te pediremos consejos de restaurantes para comer alla en Nashville. Por otro lado, pasando a lo deportivo estamos muy ilusionados pero con los pies en la tierra con esta nueva temporada que esta cada d a m s cerca de empezar, contento con las contrataciones en la agencia libre y con el draft, aunque sigo pensando que nos hace falta edge, tackle derecho, linebacker. El lado derecho de la l nea ofensiva en especifico el RT siento que aun no tenemos al jugador indicado y a mi en lo personal es donde me enfocaria mas, pero como siempre los que saben son uds que ven a los muchachos entrenar todos los dias y asi toman las decisiones. Tengo muy altas expectativas en la dupla SIMMONS y SWEAT pienso que van a hacer una amenaza para cualquier equipo. Muchas gracias por leer mis cartas y en verdad esperamos poder saludarle y conocerlo personalmente.
Jim: Hola Héctor. Es bueno saber de ti, espero que todo esté bien. Y espero que tengas un buen viaje a Nashville. Hay mucha emoción en la ciudad y muchos lugares fantásticos para comer. Si haces algún buen comentario, el equipo utilizará el campo de entrenamiento para decidir dónde aún se necesita ayuda. No sé qué va a pasar como tackle derecho en este momento y la competencia ayudará a decidir. Tengo gran confianza en el entrenador de línea ofensiva Bill Callahan. Será interesante ver la batalla.
Rick Foltz from Harrisburg, North Carolina
Question: Hey Jim, hope all is well with you. Hard to believe it's that time of year again. My question is: How is Stonehouse doing? Will he be available and if so how has he looked. Before the injury he was the best punter in the league. One of the few bright spots from a year ago. Thanks for all you do.
Jim: Hey Rick. Well, the news has been encouraging so far. Ryan wasn't given an injury designation to start camp, and he's been out there, punting. He's looked really good to me, out there hitting bombs. But Ryan is going to have to pace himself. The key is for him to avoid a setback, and be ready for the opener. There's reason to be optimistic.
Trout Dawg from Long Beach, California
Question: D Hop ,, extension ,, any talk of such a thing happening? He is an amazing receiver who looks like he has some left ,, as well as ,,,seems like a real pro. Are the Titans only wearing Oiler uniforms in week 18 ?
Titan Up ! And BABABOOEEY TO YOU ALL !
Jim: Hey Trout Dawg. There's been a lot of conversation on this subject this week. GM Ran Carthon and Hopkins both addressed questions about the future, and a potential extension, this week. Here's a story I wrote about it the other day: CLICK HERE.
Have a great rest of the weekend everyone!
