NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith and NFLPA President Kevin Mawae fielded questions about the potential for a lock-out last evening.  There wasn't anything too earth shattering apparently, as seen in these recaps by Terry McCormick and Jim Wyatt.  One thing I did find interesting: because playoff games are not planned into a team's budget, players often make a pittance for those games compared to their regular season salary.  In the words of the great Andy Rooney: that's just not right.

 You know what else isn't right?  Something about those Cold War Kids!

 Mawae expects to be fully recovered from his off-season elbow surgery by the time camp starts at the end of July, and he's not planning on retiring after his contract is up after next season either.  I know we hear lip service from a lot of players on wanting to stay in Nashville, but Mawae's is abnormally convincing:

"I love Tennessee, and I love playing for Jeff [Fisher]," Mawae said. "I love this organization. It’s a reflection of Mr. Adams and all the way down from him to the coaching staff and the people in this building and the people of Nashville. I like living in Franklin, Tenn. My son just got admitted to a good school [Montgomery Bell Academy], and the older the kids get the harder it’s going to be for me to move. So I’d like to stick around."

 Bill Barnwell of The Football Outsiders (writing for ESPN here) produced a list of 5 potential break-out players in the AFC this year, and big Jason Jones is the no. 2 candidate.  If our line is going to continue to be a strong point on this he he's going to need to expand on the amazing production he had towards the end of last season.

 If a contractor ever showed up at my house for bid flossin' this bad boy, I'd hire him on the spot.

 PFW is reporting that Brandon Jones is impressing the 49ers during OTAs, but that shouldn't be a surprise to Titans fans as we saw that for several years with no reflection of it in the regular season.  That's one thing you have to remember: great athletes tend to shine in shirts and shirts shorts work-outs because there's very limited contact.  But, as soon as the opposition can come up and hit them in the mouth, these things tend to change.

Now that the slower period of the off-season is upon us your help in finding out of the way Titans stories is more important than ever.  If you have a link you'd like to submit for tomorrow's Morning Links email me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.com! (Be sure to include your commenting handle so I can give you glowing, semi-anonymous credit.)