Lost in all the mess of the coaching turnover, QB debacle and the lockout is the fact that Leroy Harris is technically headed for free agency when the new league year starts. If there's a new CBA that starts free agency then Harris will be a unrestricted free agent, but if this season's free agency operates under last year's oddball rules (which would happen if the players win the injunction in court) then Harris would be a restricted free agent. Harris is currently working out with a growing number of teammates at Father Ryan. Barring an injunction happening before the draft, Harris' situation will likely be heavily influenced by what happens after the second round of draft. If we end up taking someone like John Moffit from Wisconsin (as Mel Kiper had us taking in the mock from yesterday), then Harris could quickly become the expendable guy along the line. Jim Wyatt gathered together 16 mock drafts and lists every one's prediction for the Titans' first pick. In a shocking bit of commonality, 13 of them have us taking Fairley, while two have us taking Gabbert and one has us taking Marcel Dareus. 104.5 The Zone's Jonathan Hutton has the first of his draft preview shows posted. This one features the likes of Mike Keith, Jim Wyatt, Peter King, Michael Lombardi, Kenny Britt and legal analyst Gary Roberts. I heard the segment with Mike Keith last night, and I have to say it's a pretty good listen.
AllAffrica.com updates us on Rennie Curran's humanitarian assessment tour of Liberia. The Titans and USC have reached a settlement in the Kennedy Pola lawsuit. The terms of the settlement are private, but we're hearing that one of the things the Titans won is a sealed letter from USC clearly stating that Lane Kiffin is indeed a giant, flaming douchecanoe. Keith Bulluck doesn't expect to be re-signed by the Giants. Just do it, Mikey. It's not a cure all by any stretch, but it's a step in the right direction for a defense that could use some veteran leadership immediately. Witness the awesomeness of a Bleacher Report contributor/Dolphins fan breaking down VY's 2008 meltdown while trying to evaluate if VY would fit the 'phins. Shockingly, someone who isn't a dedicated Titans fan or Joel's mother, remembers that Joel Filani had a football career. Wow. Just... wow. I don't even need to explain why this makes my brain hurt:
In one of the clearest signs yet of Ben Roethlisberger laboring to change his reputation, the Steelers quarterback has told a Pittsburgh newspaper that his religious beliefs preclude him from living with his fiancee.
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