Mel Kiper believes the Titans have less talent than many of us are willing to admit. I don't really think that's the case, but what's a complete unknown at this point is how much the talent we have on hand fits what the new coaching staff wants to do. Pretty much everything we've heard indicates that Thorchak, Gray and Palmer are focused on just tweaking what the previous regime was doing. Part of that has to be a reaction to the problems created by the lockout, so it'll be interesting to see how they evaluate the talent on hand versus what how the old staff viewed those same players. I could certainly see a scenario where some good players are let go over the next few years as Thorchak gets to put his stamp on this franchise and Reinfeldt flexes his unilateral control over personnel. That being said, I don't think the current talent holes are at the depths Kiper says they are, but the holes that are there are unfortunately at key spots.
In a move that has to be met with high-fives from owners, a group of 'second-tier' NFL players have started making moves to squeeze their way into the negotiations between the players and the NFL. What must be delighting owners is that the complaints these players are voicing are identical to what the owners have been arguing since the first round of mediations dissolved: there was no need for the players to leave the mediation and decertify when they did as there was plenty of time to keep working towards a deal. This highlights one of the biggest problems the players will face the longer the lockout goes on, which is that it's a hell of a lot harder to keep a thousand or so players in line than it is to keep 30 savy owners (plus Al Davis and Mike Brown) acting as one.
Shutdown Corner profiles one of my favorite WR prospects, though the personality concerns keep scaring me away from completely jumping on board, Titus Young. Young reminds me so much of DeSean Jackson and Danny Amendola it's scary. If he keeps his head on straight and gets paired with a strong-armed QB Young could be a second round steal.
Jim Wyatt talks with Mel Kiper about a possible match between Jake Locker and the Titans, even if Blaine Gabbert slips to the 8 spot.
Meanwhile John Glennon goes over the second tier group of QBs again.
Mike Mayock talks about the possible run on QBs that could be triggered late in the first round.
Paul K takes a look at the 'Better than what you have' draft principal.
Jay Gruden, the new OC in Cincy, is a huge fan of our boy Andy Dalton.
PFW takes a look at guys who produced well below the level of their physical skills at the collegiate level, including a LB who has been a popular match for the Titans in some mock drafts, Martez Wilson.
You've seen a ton of mock drafts that have Cam Newton going first over all, and now the oddsmakers in Vegas are setting the odds in favor of that move.
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