Weekend Mailbag: Jim Wyatt Answers Questions From Titans Fans Ahead of Sunday’s Game at the Browns
NASHVILLE – And we’re off to Cleveland.
The Titans will get their welcome to December football on Sunday against the Browns.
Have you heard it’s supposed to snow?
Five games remain in this season, so we’ll see how things end.
As for this mailbag, this is just the beginning.
Here’s the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Mark Severtson from Whitney, Texas
Question: I loved Horace Puth’s take on the state of the franchise in your Tuesday mailbag. I saw that he is from Nashville, so if he chooses to, he can actually watch the games. The quality of the “game” that the team is playing right now is unwatchable so even if I lived where I could actually see the games, I probably wouldn’t. I prefer to watch games that are competitive, so it’s looking like it will be at LEAST the remainder of this season and probably one more before that changes. You said that the culture of the team can’t change until a new head coach is in place. I don’t get to see the games but I read the box score and I read your “Six Things That Stood Out” every week. I’m sure if you compile all 12 of them, there are very common themes: Penalties on both sides of the ball, turnovers on offense and lack of them on defense, third and fourth down conversions on both sides of the ball, the lack of any running game, the inconsistency of Cam and maybe one spark of hope. All of that points to coaching (or the lack thereof) so the new guy will either need to chance culture of the existing staff or completely clean house. The direction the franchise goes with the new head coach will tell a lot about what ownership really wants. I’m a die hard fan going back to the “Luv Ya Blue” days. My office in Houston actually overlooked the practice field. I will always love this team, but having the number one overall draft pick (for what is looking like two years in a row but I’m sure we will screw that one up, too) isn’t a good way to attract fans and viewership. TITAN UP!
Jim: I hear ya, Mark. Five games remain, and then things will start to take on a different look when a coaching search begins, and a new head coach is hired. Hopefully the team can provide a few positives before the end of this season. But you’re right – the next hire is of mammoth importance, and the hope is it will change the vibe, and the culture, inside the building. I do think there are players on this team who can set great examples of what they want things to look like, even when things are going bad. And, in some areas, I think that is happening. There are tone-setters trying to hold others accountable. I think Mike McCoy stepped into a really tough spot, and has done his best to keep things positive. But let’s face it, when an interim coach is in place, it’s hard to get everyone to buy in and trust what is being preached, and taught, on a daily basis. And I think that is part of the reason we continue to see a lack of discipline, and not enough improvement, on this football team. Don’t get me wrong: I think Mike Borgonzi did a good job identifying players this past offseason, players who will be a big part of the change in Tennessee. But this was never going to happen in one season, especially not during a year when head coach was fired after six games and the current staff is just trying to keep things together.
Bob Galasso from Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Question: Hi Jim. Here we are into December and after the loss at home against the Jaguars, I’m hoping you can help answer a couple questions…
Under Coach McCoy the team seemed to responding showing improvement and growth over the next few games… only to go back to the issues that plagued them throughout the beginning of the year … that being turnovers… taking too many sacks and most of all penalties. What I don’t understand is the inconsistency – what the heck are the coaches doing during the practice sessions that isn’t transitioning to the field – disciplined teams don’t get penalized….
This isn’t really a second question as much as a questionable call – but how can you not go for it on a 4th and 3 yards to go… especially with the lack of aggressiveness the offense didn’t show…
I know that people are being optimistic at best and hoping that the team will continue to compete to finish the season strong – but what do you see on the field and feel – Are the players as optimistic about the rest of the season other than Cam and Jeffrey Simmons…
In closing there are some bright spots within the Team and I am especially happy to see players like Cody Barton at linebacker stepping up.
Win or Lose I will forever be a Titans Fan. Thanks Jim as always for the great job you continue to do. Definitely a fan of yours too!
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Bob. I know you’re not alone in wanting the team to be more aggressive.
Devin Dwight from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: I am a big Titans fan and an even bigger fan of you and your mailbag. I look forward to reading it, and appreciate your humor and the respect you pay everyone even when they might not deserve it. There has been a lot of well deserved discussion of culture lately or lack thereof in the Titans organization. I could not agree more. There is something very wrong and has been for a long time. Exhibit A, B,, and C are the vast number of formerly bad Titans players who go on to thrive elsewhere. The list is too long to name everyone, but Malik Willis did not look like he belonged in the NFL with the Titans but looked like the second coming of Michael Vick with the Packers last year. And i know Treylon Burks was always injured and a complete bust for us, but he sure has not looked that way for the Redskins. And the Chargers are a walking Titans alumni team, all doing much better than they did here. I am sure I could list many more. How is this possible? It defies explanation but would love your thoughts. And i just want to touch briefly on Vrabel. You have defended his firing on his record the last two years he was here, and that people were calling for his firing, both correct observations, but looking at it clearly the GM had depleted the talent and made terrible draft picks. And you can’t tell me him going to New England his last year for his jersey retirement ceremony and remarking that the patriots organization was special and it is not the same everywhere did not have something to do with his firing by the Titans owner who clearly did not appreciate that and does not like him. He is a world class head coach, proven when he got here, and now this year with his team going from the bottom to the number 1 seed. His termination for what I believe was a personal conflict was short sighted and not in the best interest of the team. That is again a culture problem. And on a completely different note, i am scared of the game this week! I love Cam Ward. I believe he is special and will prove it. He has nothing around him. What are people expecting? But if the Titans lose, all we will hear about is how Sanders is better and should have been drafted instead, and more completely unfair Cam bust talk. It’s infuriating! I am begging the Titans to show up for Cam! And win!
Jim: Hey Devin. I appreciate you reading. I hear your complaints, and I’ve seen similar expressions of frustration in here. I don’t see these some of your examples as culture problems, though, to be completely honest. We all agree trading away A.J. Brown as a terrible decision. Not making more of an attempt to retain Derrick Henry, yeah, that’s fair to question, too. But, I’ll be honest – Derrick deserved better than to be stuck in what’s happening here now. Whoever was involved in deciding Kevin Byard was done was wrong. But just because Malik Willis has had a few moments, and Treylon Burks made a great catch, doesn’t make them examples of guys who got away. Neither of those guys worked out here for one reason or another (Burks couldn’t stay healthy, and the Titans failed to get the best out of Malik). As for Vrabel, I’ve always said I think he’s a great coach, probably the best head coach I’ve ever been around. But that doesn’t change the fact things were spiraling in his last year and a half, on the field, and with the folks he didn’t see eye to eye with around him. I don’t think his departure had anything to do with him living it up in Foxborough that Sunday you are referring to, I just think it was a combination of a lot of things that made it clear things had run their course here. And, as I’ve said before, if the Titans had hired the right guy after firing Vrabel, his exodus wouldn’t look as bad as it does right now. I’m with you on Cam, but he needs to play better than he did last week.
Hector Guerrero from Guadalajara, Mexico.
Question: Hello Jim. I’ve been a fan of the Titans since they were the Houston Oilers many years ago, and well, I’ll continue to be one, despite the way they play, which makes you want to switch teams, but I won’t do it. What is frustrating is seeing how every week you have the hope of watching a better game, but on the contrary, this has been one of the worst I’ve seen in years. And the worst part is, I don’t see how they can improve; I hope I’m wrong. Understanding that Cam Ward lacks support from the OL, the running backs, wide receivers, etc., I see Cam as a good QB, but my question is this: Will he be an elite quarterback who can lead the Titans to win a Super Bowl?
Jim: It’s been a brutal year for sure, Hector. I can’t make any promises about Cam. I like his makeup, approach, and his ability. I think he has what it takes to be really good. But he’s going to have to prove himself. He needs more than 12 games to do it.
Rob Haye from Burlington, Canada
Question: Hi Jim, I don’t envy you being the team reporter these days, as not much joy and happiness happy in the Titan world at the moment.
I’d be the first to admit that I am one of those disgruntled fans who have chimed in from time to time, but at this point I think the fans who are still writing in, are the TRUE fans and still haven’t given up hope, albeit this season right now I would say, lose out and secure the #1 spot, there is zero upside in trying to finish season on a winning note and dropping to the 4th or 5th spot.
At this point, I would think its hard to motivate anyone within the Titans organization, coaches all know there pretty much out the door, players don’t really want to get hurt at this point.
My only comment is: Can stop looking in the rear view mirror and saying what if this or what if that? When the exception becomes the norm, then there are bigger issues, and right now the norm in Tennessee is a revolving door of bad hire GM’s and coaches. So now everyone is looking to Mike B as the savior, just like everyone thought John R was, and Ryan C was and the list goes on and on..NO team will ever build success with this turnover track record… Sorry, this may have been another rant.
Jim: Hey Rob. You’re right, not a lot to be excited about right now. This is where pride, and competitiveness, have to lead the players, and I know there are a lot of guys who care a lot. But, that doesn’t mean the team will be good enough to win. The problem now is the team doesn’t have enough talent, and it is up to Borgonzi and others to help turn things around.
Larry P from Eagle, Idaho
Question: Let me preface my question by saying that I did not want the Titans to use their first pick in the last draft on a QB. Not because I doubted the potential, talent or leadership abilities of Cam Ward, but because this team has A LOT of holes to fill.
Having said that, please convince me, based on performance, why this team, going forward, is better with Cam Ward than they would be with Will Levis?
Through 12 games this year vs last year: Levis 63.1 completion %/2091 yds/ 13 TDs/ 12 INTs/ 41 sacks/ 81.4 QB Rating. Ward 59.7%/ 2351 yds/ 7 TDs/ 6 INTs/ 47 sacks/ 76.2 QB Rating.
The offensive has scored 11 TDs this year vs 23 TDs last year at this point, and the team has 2 less wins.
There is plenty of blame to go around – They can’t seem to draft that franchise QB since Steve McNair (although Marcus Mariota still is battling at a pretty decent level in other jerseys), and can’t put together on O-line to protect the man throwing the rock. The shear amount of penalties reflects on the talent/discipline of the players and the coaching/teaching/discipline of the coaching staff.
I understand there are growing pains with young players and I can tolerate “down years”, but not “down decades”.
Thank you for letting me express my frustration and hoping to see marked improvement in the performance and results of the last 5 games this season.
Jim: Hey Larry. It’s fair to bring this up, based on what we’ve seen so far. Personally, I was never a Levis hater, and I hated the vitriol he endured from a lot of fans, many who thought it was a mistake to not draft Hendon Hooker in the first round. Not surprisingly, I don’t hear from those folks any more. But Levis doesn’t get a free pass, because he opened the door for some criticism with his play. Just like you mentioned, it wasn’t all bad. … As for the history at the position, Mariota has only proven himself to be a pretty good back-up, and it took Steve McNair five or six years to prove he was a franchise QB. Cam has had 12 games. I appreciate you weighing in.
Trout Dawg from Long Beach, California
Question: Hi Jim. Read you every week and I have been extremely negative and idiotic. Titan fan since a little kid and I am turning the page back to positive energy! Let’s get Chig a contract,, love Chad B and Mike B , i want a tough football team, not a nickel team and I just lost my mind with the direction Ran and Cally took us,, both nice men. O Line has really been ok ,, I believe we have played the toughest schedule in the league ,, we have young weapons yet the team is out there fighting for us. So let’s go !! And Bababooeey to you. Regards, Trout
Jim: All good, Trout Dawg. This franchise has earned a lot of that criticism. But I like the positivity!
Lamont Davis from Chattanooga, Tennessee
Question: Hello Jim, at this point in the Titans season I have some serious doubts and questions. We have spent the last couple of seasons providing other teams vital players for offense and defense. This has left our team depleted. Also, I am to the point if I attended a game this season, I would wear a brown paper bag over my head. These last couple of years have been awful!!! Only light at the end of the tunnel is that we could possibly pull another Steve McNair and Eddie George drafting situation. However, I do not know or feel even that would help my team out!!
Jim: I hear ya, Lamont. But please don’t resort to the paper bags – it’s unoriginal and just silly.
Laura Stephens from Clarksville, Tennessee
Question: Why in the hell are you all LOSING SO MANY GAMES?? I tell you the TITANS haven’t done any better since the best head coach was replaced; JEFF FISHER should have never been REPLACED. I SAY THIS TO THE OWNER OF THE TITANS. YOU SHOULD bring back JEFF FISHER. The Titans haven’t done worth a shit since he was gone.
Jim: Bring back Jeff Fisher? It’s been a while since I’ve gotten one of these!
Landon Good from Toledo, Ohio
Question: Jim. I actually believe Cam Ward has a chance to be solid. My question is this:
Is there a reason Cam is not hitting these receivers in stride (timing) in their routes? Our line is terrible, but it seems like he had adequate time this last game and the last few games. Are our receivers not open, is Cam not seeing them, or is it something different? It unfortunately reminds me of Kyler Murray and Caleb Williams, where they are expecting WR’s to be running free like they do in college. Then they end up scrambling or getting sacked and it just kills the drive. What are your thoughts?
Jim: Hey Landon. I think it’s a combination of a lot of things. I’ve admittedly defended Cam plenty, but he has to play better himself. I also think it’s hard to evaluate him because the team isn’t very good around him.
Alajandro Gomez from Estado de Mexico
Question: Hola Jim, entiendo que el equipo invirti� mucho en Cam Ward y que har�n todo lo posible por hacerlo triunfar. Sin embargo, yo y muchos fans de los titanes, pensamos que Levis puede ser un excelente QB (incluso mejor que CW). Reconociendo tu experiencia y conocimiento, piensas que puede haber una competencia leal entre ellos el pr�ximo a�o?. Fuerte abrazo.
Jim: Te lo agradezco, Alajandro. No creo que la haya, pero seré honesto: no le he hecho esta pregunta a ninguno de los tomadores de decisiones. Gracias por escribirnos y cuidarnos.
Eli Decko from Youngwood, Pennsylvania
Question: After watching the abysmal performance by the Tennessee Trashcans it made me wonder, will they ever become the Tennessee Titans again? I watched an incredible performance by Marcus Mariota (Monday night), that was ruined by referees. I mean, even the guys in New York said during the broadcast, that wasn’t a penalty a few times. Marcus should have never been let go. He was never the problem. The team is long been known to fail their players due to lack of wanting to spend money on top tier coaches and assistant coaches. Drake Maye for instance is VERY Mariota esque and look at what Josh McDaniels has done to make the game more toward his strengths and not “hey I’m the coach and this is what we are doing” much like Vrabel’s approach. No wonder he wanted him as his OC. Just imagine in the Tanny/Mariota season had they had McDaniels instead of the LeFleur experiment, knowing he wasn’t going to be around more than 1 season and then promote Smith. I love me some Vrabel, but LeFleur is a really good coach too, but he is also an ALPHA and two ALPHA’s cannot exist in the same territory.This team would have been super bowl champions and Mariota would have had a great teacher and Tanny would have actually been able to be the Backup. I remember all too well that game. Anyways, back to the present. Albeit Cam Ward was unfortunately selected Rd1 Pick 1, why wouldn’t the “Team” make it an open competition at QB next season? Ward has actually not played better than Levis at any point this season, and he has actually played worse more often than Levis did. I mean, we all watched the same games didn’t we? Furthermore the Team invested more in the offensive line for Cam than they did for Levis. So given they are both in rookie deals, similar athletic ability although the edge clearly goes to Levis there, why wouldn’t they? Are they worried Cam is that fragile mentally that he couldn’t handle competition? I believe it is because Levis would beat him out and they would look foolish for even drafting Ward, when they should have drafted some of these Stud lineman that came out this year and they would have still been able to get Dike and Ayomanor since they were such late picks. If the Team ever wants to be the Titans again, they need to swallow their pride and admit fault. Open up the competition at QB. Hire Gruden or another established, tough, and ALPHA head coach. Open up the check book for premier assistant coaches, and actually develop this team.
Jim: Happy holidays, Eli.
Have a great weekend everyone!
