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.

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) celebrates with strong safety Bernard Pollard (31) after the San Francisco 49ers failed to convert on fourth down in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

New Tennessee Titans safety Bernard Pollard spoke out last week, saying he will not accompany his former team, the reigning Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens, on their trip to the White House.

While in an interview with a Baltimore sports radio show, Pollard said the unreleased date of the Ravens’ trip to Washington, D.C. conflicts with a family vacation he has planned. Pollard added that, even if he did not have a timing conflict, he still had no plans of going to the White House with his former teammates.

The seven-year NFL veteran cited lasting grudges with “certain people” in the Ravens organization as his reason for not attending.

For Titans fans, this news should come as both a positive and a negative. Pollard’s words indicate that he does not take kindly to disrespect, an invaluable trait on the field. Furthermore, the new safety should not have a problem putting thoughts about his estranged former team’s Super Bowl run out of his mind and focusing on the task at hand.

However, Pollard’s actions also show that he has the kind of personality that is not conducive to a healthy locker room. He is outspoken, he can obviously hold a grudge and he is not afraid to question authority.

To be fair, that attitude is exactly what makes Pollard so attractive to the Titans: He has a chip on his shoulder the likes of which the Titans secondary has not seen since the team lost Cortland Finnegan to free agency. Additionally, Pollard made sure to say the bad blood he has with the Ravens has nothing to do with his former teammates or with general manager Ozzie Newsome.

From what I have seen, players with personalities like Pollard’s will often have extreme reactions at opposite ends of the spectrum. In instances like this, when they feel disrespected, players like Pollard will respond emotionally and unapologetically. Conversely, when treated correctly, these players can be fiercely loyal.

All things considered, I am alright with Pollard’s decision to not only skip the trip to the White House but also speak out about it. Although his move may have burned a few bridges for the former Raven, it showed everyone involved with the Titans, fans included, that Pollard is going all in with his new team.

September 16, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive end Derrick Morgan (91) and linebacker Kamerion Wimbley (95) celebrate after a sack during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Currently the only gripe Tennessee Titans fans have after an eventful free agency and draft, is the lack of obvious upgrade at the pass rusher position.  The Titans decided to address other positions early in the draft, and have yet to sign a marquee veteran defensive end in free agency.

One may say that the Titans don’t really need pass rush help, although Derrick Morgan and Kamerion Wimbley did play 80% of the snaps last year which is way too much.  The addition of Gregg Williams, combined with the likes of Bernard Pollard, lends credence to the idea that the Titans will be more inventive in finding ways to get to the quarterback.  The evolution of Akeem Ayers as a pass rusher could play into that same vein as well.  Ayers and Pollard could rush out of 3-4 sets and Ruby packages respectively.  The addition of 330 lb. Sammie Lee Hill in the middle of the line is expected to have a large effect as well.  Morgan and Wimbley both were able to get close to the quarterback on a number of occasions last year, only to have the opposing signal caller step forward into a clean pocket to evade the outside rush.  Putting Hill next to Jurrell Casey and Mike Martin on the interior of the line, should make that a lot harder on the opposing teams.

Image courtesy of ESPN.com

All this is well and good, but what fans need to realize is that the sack total of a team doesn’t translate very well to wins.  As much as fans bemoan the Titans edge defenders, the team ranked 9th in the league last year, with a total of 39 sacks.

To put that in perspective, the Superbowl Champion Baltimore Ravens had 37 along with the always enviable New England Patriots.  The other team in the Superbowl?  The 49ers had 38.

The Seattle Seahawks, another playoff team, finished 18th in the regular season for sacks.  The Washington Redskins and Indianapolis Colts both tied for 23rd ending up with a mere 32 sacks, while the mighty Atlanta Falcons with coveted John Abraham only ended the season with 29.

Yes, the Broncos, Texans, Bengals, Packers and Vikings finished in the top 10, but so did the Titans, Rams, Dolphins, Bears and Panthers.

I’m not saying sacks aren’t great and admit they do turn momentum in a game.  Only they seem to be a bit overrated when it comes to a measure of a teams success.

The Titans defense had much larger problems than it’s quarterback pressure last year.  Such as covering tight ends, blown assignments, and an inordinate amount of missed tackles.  If those issues are addressed first and foremost, I won’t worry about the sack total so much.

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