Apr 26, 2013; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks before the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Who wants to replace three weeks of the post-draft “dead period” with three more weeks of NFL draft hype?  

That could happen very quickly. In an attempt to establish a year-long continuum, the NFL wants to reschedule their draft dates from late April to mid May. This may begin with the 2014 NFL Draft. A scheduling conflict at Radio City Music Hall could force these sudden changes. The Radio City Rockettes show, “The Spring Spectacular,” is already scheduled at the venue for late April.

These changes would move the 2014 NFL Draft from Apr. 24-26 to May 15-17. Other proposed calendar changes including moving the dates of the NFL Scouting Combine and the start of the league calendar year. Nothing has been decided on these issues and they’ll likely remain the same in 2014.

How would this affect fans and members of the Tennessee Titans? For starters, this creates three additional weeks for draft hype. This doesn’t mean much other than it’ll entertain some fans while it’ll drive others insane. Mock drafters (e.g. Mel Kiper) should benefit from this because it creates more opportunities for them to modify their mock drafts.

One thing that concerns me: Rookies wouldn’t have as long to adjust to their new teams. The Titans’ rookie orientation was held from May 11-12. That came approximately two weeks after they finalized their draft class on Apr. 27. Now let’s consider that the 2014 NFL Draft would conclude on May 17. This puts undrafted free agents and veterans who are trying to make a team (e.g. Antonio Johnson) at a significant disadvantage.

Some people have questioned why the NFL doesn’t pursue venues in other cities. That’s a fair question and one I couldn’t answer. Move it around to each of the 32 cities that represent a franchise. Regardless of whether the NFL moves the draft date, they need a backup plan in case Radio City Music Hall decides they’re going to schedule something in mid May. Then again, NFL and RCMH probably knew about this well ahead of time and that’s why RCMH scheduled that show in late April.

Here’s the good thing for the Titans: these changes didn’t happen in 2013. Imagine having three fewer weeks with all of the new coaches, free agents and rookies heading into all of the camps. Mike Munchak and his staff need every day they can get to prepare their new crop of players. That doesn’t include the players they’re still signing—or trying to sign (e.g. John Abraham).

What’s nice is that it’ll make the “dead period” three weeks shorter. But if you hate things such as mock drafts and all that gossip, just tune out when April rolls around.

Joshua Huffman

 Tennessee Titans: 2010 NFL Draft Class
Round 1, Pick 16: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Round 3, Pick 77: Damian Williams, WR, USC
Round 3, Pick 97: Rennie Curran, LB, Georgia
Round 4, Pick 104: Alterraun Verner, CB, UCLA
Round 5, Pick 148: Robert Johnson, S, Utah
Round 6, Pick 176: Rusty Smith, QB, Florida Atlantic
Round 6, Pick 207: Myron Rolle, S, Florida State
Round 7, Pick 222: Marc Mariani, WR, Montana
Round 7, Pick 241: David Howard, DL, Brown

Joshua Huffman (Editor)
Verner 92.5 (A)
Mariani 92.5 (A)
Morgan 77.5 (C+)
Williams 70 (C)
Johnson 50 (F)
Rolle 50 (F)
Smith 50 (F)
Curran 40 (F)
Howard 40 (F)

Josh Gunnels (Assistant Editor, Lead Columnist)
Verner 90 (A)
Mariani 88 (B+)
Morgan 85 (B+ to B)
Williams 75 (C+ to C)
Smith 70 (C)
Rolle 65 (D+ to D)
Johnson 60 (D)
Curran 50 (F)
Howard 50 (F)

David Fleming (Contributor)
Verner 91 (A)
Mariani 85 (B+ to B)
Morgan 82 (B)
Williams 73 (C)
Johnson 67 (D+)
Smith 62 (D)
Rolle 53 (F)
Curran 45 (F)
Howard 40 (F)

Titan Sized Readers
Verner 92.07 (A)
Mariani 91.67 (A)
Morgan 80.47 (B)
Williams 68 (D+)
Smith 52.53 (F)
Rolle 42.10 (F)
Johnson 38.33 (F)
Curran 26.9 (F)
Howard <60 (F— Estimated Fan Grade, not Polled)

OVERALL (184 Votes)
Mode: 70
Median: 70
Fan Grade: 66.69 (D+)
Fan Grade w/ Curve (178 Votes): 68.26 (D+)

Analysis
86.96 percent of the votes were within the 60-80 range. It appears as though most fans believed that this was an average draft, possibly slightly below average. Outside of those ranges, there were 11 votes for 50s (F) and even fewer respondents 0-40 or 90-100.

This draft had some major duds. At the same time, Mariani was arguably the best value pick of the entire seventh round. Verner has become a high-quality nickelback. And if Morgan continues to build off his second half from the 2012-13 NFL season, there’s a good chance that fans become more accepting of this draft.

How did you feel about the 2010 NFL Draft? Did you feel like readers and-or staff members were too hard on any of their grades? Let ‘em have it in the comments below. During dead period (June – July), Titan Sized may conduct 10-year anniversary report cards from the 2003 NFL Draft.

Thanks for following along.

Joshua Huffman

2010 NFL Draft Report Card Fan Grade
Team: Tennessee Titans
Round 7, Pick 222: Marc Mariani, KR/PR/WR, Montana
Votes: 51
Incomplete: 0
Calculated Votes: 51
Median: 90
Mode: 90
STAFF GRADES: Here
FAN GRADE: 91.67 (A)
FAN GRADE W/ CURVE: N/A

Analysis
Consider this a show of appreciation toward a seventh-round pick who wasn’t supposed to make the final 53-man roster. Not only did he crack the 53-man roster, but Mariani earned Pro Bowl recognition for his abilities as a return specialist during his rookie season. He followed that up with another productive season during 2011-12. After Mariani broke his leg in a 2012 preseason game, Darius Reynaud replaced him and had a significant impact in the return game.

Reynaud and Mariani will probably compete for the starting returner job in 2013-14. The loser will likely have to find work elsewhere. Neither offer enough at wide receiver or running back to keep on the roster as a backup return specialist. Regardless, Mariani has offered more in two seasons than many Day 3 starters offer throughout their entire careers.

This concludes 2010 NFL Draft report card fan grades (David Howard won’t receive one because he’s already a lock for an “F” grade. Seems pointless to take a polling result on something so obvious and that few people would care about).

Stay tuned for the final exams and the overall grade that Titan Sized readers gave for the draft.