Jake Locker behind the eight ball as Tennessee Titans season nears

Titans have a long way to go and a short time to get there.

The 2013 National Football League regular season is still months away, but no single player in the league has more riding on it than Tennessee Titans’ quarterback Jake Locker.

This will be his third season, and it may be make-or-break time for him. This may not be fair, but in the instant success world of the NFL, results are demanded now rather than later.

The success of rookie quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck have put additional pressure on Locker as they proved inexperienced quarterbacks can lead the turnaround of bad teams. Luck piloted the Indianapolis Colts to an 11-5 record just one season after the team imploded at 2-14. Also, Griffin led the Redskins to their first playoff appearance in years.

This leaves Locker with a lot to prove. In his first season, he was brought along slowly as he learned from veteran Matt Hasselbeck. Last year, he was handed the starting job and the results were mixed. He suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder in the opening game loss to New England, and it hampered him all season.

He only started 11 games, posting a 4-7 record. He also threw more interceptions (11) than touchdowns (10).

However, in his defense, the Titans were a bad team on both sides of the ball last season. The team finished 6-10, but since four of those wins were by four points or less, the team was perilously close to going 2-14.

The defense ranked dead last in the league in points allowed (471). In eight games, the team gave up 30 points or more, and opponents eclipsed the 50-point level twice. It does not get much worse on the professional level.

Still, expectations are high for Locker this year, and if he does not show improvement, his future in Tennessee could become limited. The Titans certainly demonstrated this in their numerous offseason personnel moves.

Despite the enormous problems on defense, the Titans invested considerably on free agents for the offense, as well as several draft picks. The Titans shocked many by spending their first two picks in the draft on offensive players (guard Chance Warmack from Alabama and wide receiver Justin Hunter from Tennessee).

Additionally, the team brought in several offensive free agents that will diversify the unit. Guard Andy Levitre, tight end Delanie Walker, and power running back Shonn Greene bring quality where the Titans were lacking last year. Greene, especially, should provide a much needed change of pace to speedster Chris Johnson who often danced his way into trouble in short yardage situations. Johnson clearly is still the number one running back, but Greene brings an added dimension.

Though the team has also brought in several free agents on the defensive side, it is clear the Titans are looking at an improved offense as a way to keep the defense off the field. After all, if an opponent does not have the ball, it makes it pretty tough for them to score.

This brings us back to Locker. Clearly, he has been given the resources to do his job. An influx of talent has been inserted into an underachieving offensive line. Quality depth has been brought to the backfield and wide receiver unit. Plus, Walker should provide more consistency than the departed Jared Cook at tight end.

The ball is clearly in Locker’s court. If he does not produce early, will the Titans give him a quick hook?  The team opens with road games at Pittsburgh and at Houston. This is a tough assignment under normal circumstances, but given the pressure on Locker, the stakes are much higher.

Remember, the Titans brought in former Buffalo starter Ryan Fitzpatrick to back him up. If the season goes bad early, the backup quarterback often becomes the most popular player on the team with fans.

Because of this, there will be plenty of intrigue in Nashville this autumn. After last year’s debacle, the coaching staff is under pressure to show significant improvement. Locker’s success or failure will impact many people.

When training camp starts, there will be more pressure than normal, and the spotlight will be white hot on Locker.

Pittsburgh Steelers throwback uniforms made my retinas burst

As they say, the socks make the uniform...

Seriously, who thought this was a good idea?  In the past, I have written about the excellent throwback uniforms worn by some NFL teams (among them the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers, and Chicago Bears).  However, the limits of good taste were pushed by the Steelers today.

What do the players look like most?  Bumble bees?  Pirates?  Prisoners on a chain gang?  Guys who ate too many eggs and just couldn't keep them down?

At a time when Hurricane Sandy is punishing the Northeast, the last thing the poor beleaguered people of that region needed was this.  Disposing of them at a public bonfire might be a good idea.

Junior Seau and men dying young

America is a country fixated on sports, and I think one of the reasons for this is that it provides an escape from the daily grind of life.

We are all very busy people, and it seems our lives become more stressful and intense by the day. Because of this, we need something light and frivolous to distract us. Instead of sitting at home worrying about a project at work that is overwhelming us, we can turn on the television and cheer on the home team.

Sports also play a role in developing a sense of community. Let’s face it; sports often provide a way for us to bond together. People from diverse backgrounds can come together and share a common goal.

If the Tennessee Titans or Nashville Predators win a big game, then everybody shares in that. It does not matter if a person is living in a fancy mansion or a modest apartment. Their team has won, and for one brief moment, we are all unified.

Living in this bubble can be nice. Unfortunately, real life punctures this dream world occasionally. This happened earlier this month when football legend and certain Hall-of-Famer Junior Seau died at age 43.

He was found in his daughter’s bedroom, and he had a gunshot wound to his chest and a gun by his side. Officials quickly ruled the death a suicide.

Why would a man who had a remarkable career and the respect of his peers and the public end his life this way? While we do not know for sure at this point, his death is the latest in a series in which former NFL players died young and for some, their deaths may have been spurred by long-term injuries from their playing days.

For example, not too long ago former Chicago Bears safety Dave Duerson also committed suicide by shooting himself in the chest. A primary reason Duerson ended his life this way was so experts could study his brain to determine the long-term damage playing football had on him.

While it is not known if Seau’s primary reason for killing himself in this manner was for this purpose, his brain is also expected to be studied and his method of suicide will allow this to take place. The bottom line is Seau’s death will continue to be a story in the coming months. Results from the study of his brain will likely be big news.

This is because more and more former National Football League players are suing the league because of long-term health issues they are having. A primary bone of contention revolves around concussions.

Many players state the league did not take seriously the long-term consequences of repeated concussions years ago, and the price is being paid now. The league disagrees.

If study of Seau’s brain supports either side, then expect that information to be used publically in a dramatic way. Do not underestimate the stakes in this situation. Professional football is a billion dollar industry, and both sides will likely use any means necessary to make their points.

As fans, this controversy should be very sobering for us. As much as we love football, the sacrifices being made by players are real and irreversible in some cases. We often do not think about this when a big hit takes place on the field. We only want results and for our team to win.

While nobody forces these players to play this game, maybe we all need to become more sensitive to the suffering going on around us. Should entertainment be this brutal? I love my football, but the conflict in my heart is growing.

How about you?

John Unitas football card circa 1971

Like most boys, I collected football cards, but over the years, they disappeared. Fortunately, my mom recently found this Johnny Unitas card at her home. I don't know why just this one survived, but I am glad it did. The stats on the back include the 1970 season and has commentary about his performance in Super Bowl V. The Baltimore Colts beat the Dallas Cowboys 16-13 in that game. Because of this information, I am sure this card was released just prior to the 1971 season.

Fun and brain injuries

Like most men my age, I enjoy sports a lot. Every season of the year is identifiable with a sport in my household.

Right now, I watch plenty of football. The college bowl season is about to hit its climax, and the National Football League is chugging toward its playoffs. Life is fun when it comes to this aspect of life.

However, like with most things, a dark cloud of seriousness hovers around these events. While football is exciting, we should not lose sight that it is a tremendously physical sport and leaves some of its participants with health concerns that are long lasting.

We were reminded of this recently when more than 20 former NFL players sued the league claiming it failed to adequately treat them for concussions they suffered while playing. These players claim the concussions have led to severe and permanent brain damage that is linked to the league's lack of action.

The NFL denies the accusations and plans to vigorously defend itself in court. This will likely be a long and drawn out process and will remain in the courts for the next several years.

Since I am neither a doctor nor an attorney, I have no idea how this will all play out in the courts. However, I am sure it will be as hotly contested as any Super Bowl.

As fans, we often lose sight of how dangerous this sport can be. It is physically punishing and from the security of our living rooms, we do not get the full impact of just how painful the contact is on the field.

Hip and knee replacement surgeries are common for many former players. These health problems can be very expensive especially for those who played before players began making big money.

In my lifetime, I can remember when even star players had to have second jobs in the off season. Now, many of these players have hit hard times because of the financial and personal toll their football injuries had on them.

In the coming weeks, there will be much hype as the NFL playoffs unfold, leading up to the Super Bowl in early February. Though there will likely be some debate on this topic, I do not expect it to dominate sports coverage.

This is because the NFL is probably the most effective sports league when it comes to shaping its image and guiding how the media covers it. If someone disputes this, keep an eye on how powerful networks like ESPN report on this issue.

ESPN has access to more resources when covering sports than any other outlet on the planet, but so far it has taken a pretty hands off approach to this issue. Why is this?

We can only speculate, but the network does have a multi-year contract with the NFL worth hundreds of millions of dollars. It may be cynical to suggest the cozy relationship between ESPN and the NFL has caused the network to play nice on this issue, but we do live in a cynical world, don't we?

As fans, we need to show more sensitivity toward the sacrifices players have made and continue to make. It is tough to show sensitivity toward people making millions of dollars, but it is an effort we must make. I agree nobody has forced them to make the career choices they have made, but that should not give us an excuse to be callous.

After all, they are on the field to entertain us. The concussions being received, and the bones being broken are for the benefit of us.

If we look at this so personally, maybe our attitudes will change.

We would get along just fine without the NFL

Attention NFL: You better get this lock out/labor stoppage resolved soon. If this interferes with the season, I've got plenty of other options. College football. High school football. Touch football in my front yard. Trust me; I'll get plenty of football without you. You won't be missed that much. Life will go on. Remember that.

If the Titans can make it through the first six games, 2009 could be another successful season

I know I am a little late on this, but the National Football League released its schedule a week or so ago. Here is the schedule for the Tennessee Titans:

Sept. 10 -- at Pittsburgh
Sept. 20 -- vs. Houston
Sept. 27 -- at New York Jets
Oct. 4 -- at Jacksonville
Oct. 11 -- vs. Indianapolis
Oct. 18 -- at New England
Nov. 1 -- vs. Jacksonville
Nov. 8 -- at San Francisco
Nov. 15 -- vs. Buffalo
Nov. 23 -- at Houston
Nov. 29 -- vs. Arizona
Dec. 6 -- at Indianapolis
Dec. 13 -- vs. St. Louis
Dec. 20 -- vs. Miami
Dec. 25 -- vs. San Diego
Jan. 03 -- at Seattle

The first thing a person notices is that the Titans have moved up in the world when it comes to games played in prime time. The Titans visit Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh on Thursday, Sept. 10 to kickoff the season. Additional prime time games are at home against Indianapolis (Oct. 11), at Houston (Nov. 23), and vs. San Diego (Dec. 25)

The Titans' road schedule is challenging. Four of the first six games are on the road, plus there are two trips to the West Coast. That is a lot of time to spend in an airplane and do not underestimate the impact those long trips have on players.

However, if the Titans can at least break even on the road, the schedule is friendlier down the stretch. Four of their final six games are at home, including three in a row in December. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the schedule is that the Titans do not play any divisional opponents after their twelfth game.

This schedule has 11-5 written all over it. However, that is not necessarily good news. The American Football Conference is packed with good teams. In fact, New England missed the playoffs with an 11-5 record last year.

The Titans have a lot of work to do. The new season will be here before we know it.

Let's hope they are ready.

Bears game likely to be one of the Titans’ biggest challenges so far

This week, the Tennessee Titans go to Chicago to play the Bears in an attempt to go 9-0. Chicago is a notorious place to play as Titans' coach Jeff Fisher knows first hand because he played for the Bears.

The Bears are coming off a sloppy win against winless Detroit. For the last few years, the team has been known for a stout defense and a limp noodle offense. In recent weeks, the offense has come to life behind quarterback Kyle Orton, but that all became muddled last week when Orton injured his ankle.

Initial reports said he would be out for several weeks, but some recent media reports indicate he could play Sunday. If he doesn't play, Rex Grossman will get the start. Of course, Grossman quarterbacked the Bears to the Super Bowl a couple of years ago, but he has shown a gift for making huge mistakes at the worst possible time.

As for the Titans, the road is getting tougher. Five of the remaining eight regular season games are on the road, starting with this game. They can be forgiven for playing sloppy last week against the Packers because they were obviously tired after playing on Monday night the previous week. However, both the offense and defense will need to take it up a notch this week.

As we know, all streaks must end. I think that is the case with the Titans this week. I can't quite put my finger on the reason. It's more of a gut feeling.

Besides, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is on the cover of Sport's Illustrated this week. Will he become another victim of the SI cover jinx? The article about him is good though.

The pick: Chicago 23 Tennessee 21

Other NFL picks: Arizona over San Francisco, Pittsburgh over Indianapolis, Miami over Seattle, Minnesota over Green Bay, Carolina over Oakland

Last week: 5-2 (.714), Overall: 33-20 (.623)

Tennessee Titans better be on letdown alert against Green Bay

Monday night's win by the Tennessee Titans over divisional rival Indianapolis lived up to the hype. The crowd was rowdy, and the Titans dominated the second half. Life is good when having a four-game divisional lead before reaching the mid-season point.

However, the Titans better be on alert for a possible letdown against Green Bay on Sunday. Though it was great to see the Titans on Monday Night Football, the downside is they will have a short work week to get ready for the Packers. Green Bay, on the other hand, had last week off and that has given them two weeks to prepare for this game. Coincidentally, Green Bay's last game was a throttling of Indianapolis.

Though the Titans are playing brilliantly, emotion is a funny thing. They used a lot of it on Monday. Will they have any left on Sunday? Or will they come out flat and lose?

These are reasonable concerns. If the Titans still have some emotion in the tank, then expect another win. If not, the situation becomes dicey.

The pick: Tennessee 24 Green Bay 23

Other picks: Indianapolis over New England, New York Giants over Dallas, Minnesota over Houston, Cleveland over Baltimore, Chicago over Detroit, St. Louis over Arizona

Last week: 4-2 (.667), Overall: 28-18 (.609)

Titans looking to tighten grip on AFC South against Colts

It's late October, and things are looking pretty good for the Tennessee Titans. At 6-0, they are the National Football League's only undefeated team and lead the AFC South by three games.

The Titans face Indianapolis on Monday night in a game that could knock the Colts out of serious contention for the divisional title. I know the season hasn't even reached the midway point yet, but a Titans win would put the Colts four games back. If that happens, the Colts best bet for the playoffs will be as a wild card team.

Though they are 3-3, the Colts could easily be 1-5 if not for miracle rallies against the Vikings and Texans. The passing game simply hasn't gotten in rhythm. Quarterback Peyton Manning had two knee operations in the off-season and hasn't hit his stride, while wide receiver Marvin Harrison is starting to look old.

The Titans, on the other hand, rolled against the hapless Chiefs last week. Chris Johnson and LenDale White are developing into one of the top running back tandems in the league. Quarterback Kerry Collins has been efficient, and the defense keeps pounding opposing offenses.

At some point, the Titans are going to play a bad game, but not this week.

The pick: Tennessee 24 Indianapolis 20

Other picks: Jacksonville over Cleveland, Buffalo over Miami, New Orleans over San Diego, Philadelphia over Atlanta, Baltimore over Oakland

Last week: 4-2 (.667), Overall: 24-16 (.600)

Titans should extend win streak this week, but why am I so nervous?

The Tennessee Titans travel to Kansas City to play the Chiefs in a game that appears to be a mismatch. The Titans are rolling at 5-0 while the Chiefs have been one of the worst teams in the NFL while struggling to a 1-4 record.

The Titans main strength is their running game while the Chiefs rank near the bottom of the league in defending the run. Advantage: Titans. Additionally, Chiefs' running back Larry Johnson has been suspended for the game. This would seem to favor the Titans as well, but Johnson rushed for only two yards in the Chiefs last game.

Both teams are coming off a bye week which is a little unusual. The bye came at a bad time for the Titans because they had been rolling. The bye probably came at a good time for the Chiefs because the weary often need rest.

Everything points to a Titans' win, but I've felt uneasy about this game all week. I can't put my finger on it. Maybe it is because the Chiefs have one of the best home field advantages in the league.

Nevertheless, I'm going with the Titans.

The pick: Tennessee 24 Kansas City 13

Other picks: Chicago over Minnesota, New York Giants over San Francisco, Dallas over St. Louis, Tampa Bay over Seattle, San Diego over Buffalo

Last week: 2-3 (.400), Overall 20-14 (.588)

Can the Tennessee Titans stand prosperity?

The Tennessee Titans have a bye week this week, and so far, the season couldn't have gone any better. They've posted a 5-0 record while the rest of the teams in the AFC South have struggled. The Indianapolis Colts are in second place, but they have two losses.

Next week, the Titans return to action with a game at Kansas City, which is only 1-4 and has a terrible offense. However, the following week, the Colts come to Nashville for the biggest game of the season so far.

The big question to be answered is: How will the quarterback situation unfold? Vince Young is getting healthier and will likely be ready for the Chiefs game. Coach Jeff Fisher has indicated that he will stick with Kerry Collins as long as he is winning. How will this go over with Young? Will it cause dissension on the team? Will the players take sides?

There are lots of questions to be answered, but I believe I will pause this week and enjoy the fact that the Titans are unbeaten. All those other questions will be answered soon enough.

This week's picks: New Orleans over Oakland, Philadelphia over San Francisco, Dallas over Arizona, New England over San Diego, Washington over St. Louis

Last week: 4-2 (.667), Overall: 18-11 (.621)

Tennessee Titans look to go 5-0 at Baltimore

The National Football League is definitely a lot more interesting when your favorite team is winning. The Tennessee Titans are 4-0 and have several exciting months ahead of them. On the other hand, winless teams like the St. Louis Rams are already looking ahead to next season.

The Titans next challenge is on Sunday at Baltimore. On the surface, the Ravens have several weaknesses. Quarterback Joe Flacco is a rookie, and the Titans' defense knows it will have plenty of opportunities to attack him physically and mentally. Plus, the Ravens running attack has been lackluster. Running back Willis McGahee is struggling with a rib injury, and the entire offensive unit lacks a lot of punch.

However, the Ravens are 2-1, and that is primarily because of their defense. Yes, many of their players are old by NFL standards, but they are still getting the job done. Linebacker Ray Lewis may not have the skills he once had, but he does a masterful job of motivating his teammates.

As for the Titans, life is great, but playing on the road is tough. True, they did post an impressive road win at Cincinnati earlier this season, but that win has been tainted somewhat by how truly awful the Bengals are.

The Titans are the better team, and the Ravens are coming off an emotional loss last Monday, meaning they've had a shorter week to prepare for this game.

Are the Titans due for a let down? It will happen at some point...but not this week.

The pick: Tennessee 17 Baltimore 10

Other picks: Indianapolis over Houston, Jacksonville over Pittsburgh, New Orleans over Minnesota, Carolina over Kansas City, Denver over Tampa Bay

Last week: 4-2 (.667), Overall: 14-9 (.609)

Can the Tennessee Titans make it four in a row this Sunday?

Did anybody see this coming? Coming out of the preseason, the Tennessee Titans had a ton of question marks on offense. Based on last year's performance, we knew the Titans had a playoff caliber team, but the offense's shortcomings kept expectations quite conservative.

However, the Titans appear to be blossoming. Quarterback Kerry Collins has stepped in and done a good job replacing Vince Young. The one-two punch of Chris Johnson and LenDale White anchors a formidable running game. Plus, the defense continues to be first rate. The Minnesota Vikings come to Nashville this week, and the Titans have a legitimate shot of ending the first quarter of the season with a 4-0 record.

The Vikings begin and end with running back Adrian Peterson. He can dominate a game, and expecting the Titans to completely shut him down is unrealistic. It's okay if he runs for 100 yards, but he can't be allowed to break long runs. The Vikings passing game is shaky at best. Journeyman Gus Frerotte took over as quarterback last week and led them to a win over Carolina.

The Titans have to make the Vikings one dimensional. Put pressure on Gus and good things will happen.

The pick: Tennessee 24 Minnesota 20

Other picks: Jacksonville over Houston, Denver over Kansas City, Dallas over Washington, New Orleans over San Francisco, San Diego over Oakland

Last week: 4-2 (.667), Overall: 10-7 (.588)

Titans will run record to 3-0 with win against Houston this weekend

The Tennessee Titans were impressive in beating Cincinnati 24-7 last week. Considering all the off-field distractions involving the media and Vince Young, the team could have been excused if they had played sloppily against the Bengals. However, that did not happen, and the Titans remain the only undefeated team in the AFC South.

The Houston Texans come to Nashville after experiencing a wild couple of weeks. In their opener, they got waxed by Pittsburgh 38-17 in a game that was never really close. They then returned home and were greeted by Hurricane Ike, which forced the postponement of their game against Baltimore. So, not only have they had to experience the emotional strain of dealing with a hurricane, but they haven't played in two weeks. The obvious question is: Will they be focused or rusty this Sunday?

The Titans are rolling primarily because of their defense. Through two games, the defense has only given up 17 points. Plus, quarterback Kerry Collins was a steadying influence in the Cincinnati game. He wasn't flashy, but he was efficient. At this point, all the Titans need from their quarterback is consistency. They got that last week, and I believe they will get it this week.

The pick: Tennessee 24 Houston 16

Other NFL picks: Indianapolis over Jacksonville, San Diego over New York Jets, Philadelphia over Pittsburgh, Green Bay over Dallas, Seattle over St. Louis

Last week: 2-3 (.400), Overall: 6-5 (.545)

Expect Cincinnati to deliver first loss to Titans

For Tennessee Titans' fans, their worst performance of 2007 is easy to pick out. In late November, the Titans traveled to Cincinnati and got routed 35-6. The game was a disaster on all levels as the Bengals dominated the game.

On Sunday, Tennessee returns for what should be one of the more fascinating games of the week. The Titans played well (especially on defense) in beating Jacksonville 17-10. However, Cincinnati's offense was miserable in losing at Baltimore 17-10.

Against the Ravens, Bengals' quarterback Carson Palmer passed for only 99 yards and no touchdowns. Wide receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Ocho Cinco (yes, that is his official name now) combined for only four catches. I can't see that happening two games in a row.

As for the Titans, running backs Chris Johnson and LenDale White ran the ball effectively against Jacksonville. The offensive line is clearly the strength of the offense right now, and Johnson has brought some much needed big-play potential. Still, regardless of whether Vince Young or Kerry Collins is quarterbacking, the Titans are still incapable of delivering big plays in the passing game.

It looks like another close game for the Titans.

The pick: Cincinnati 20 Tennessee 17

Other games: Indianapolis over Minnesota, Jacksonville over Buffalo, Houston over Baltimore, Seattle over San Francisco, Arizona over Miami

Last week: 4-2 (.667)

Tennessee Titans facing must-win game in season opener against Jacksonville?

Well, the National Football League is finally kicking off the 2008 season this week after putting fans through another round of mind-numbing pre-season games in August. As much as I like football, I dislike the pre-season just as much. However, that is mercifully over, so let's look at the Tennessee Titans' first game.

The Titans begin the season with a bang, hosting divisional foe Jacksonville. I know it's just the first game, but if the Titans want to make the playoffs, they must beat divisional rivals at home. So, is this a must-win game even though it's the first game of the season? Yes.

The key to this game (and the season) is how many points the Titans can score. It's that simple. The defense looks stout, but the first team offense lumbered through the pre-season with little success. Plus, quarterback Vince Young injured his hand in the final pre-season game against Green Bay.

Until further notice, I don't believe we can count on the offense to deliver more than 20 points in a game. Therefore, the defense must carry the load.

Jacksonville is a strong team. They have a formidable one-two punch with Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor, plus David Garrard is developing into a solid quarterback.

The Jaguars have the edge in talent, but the home field advantage will allow the Titans to elevate their game just enough to win.

The pick: Tennessee 17 Jacksonville 16

Other NFL picks: Indianapolis over Chicago, Pittsburgh over Houston, Dallas over Cleveland, New England over Kansas City, San Diego over Carolina

We get to enjoy the Titans on Thanksgiving Day this year

Last week, the National Football League released each team's schedule for the 2008 season, and the Tennessee Titans have some tasty match ups.

The first game that caught my eye was the Titans visiting the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day. I know a lot of people believe the Lions don't deserve their annual showcase on this holiday because of their lousy record in recent years. I am not one of those people. The Lions are part of the tradition of playing football on this day, and tradition means a lot.

Additionally, the Titans have several fascinating home games. Of course, they host their divisional foes (Indianapolis, Jacksonville, and Houston). They also get visits from Green Bay and Pittsburgh. That is an attractive home slate.

Here's the schedule (I won't include pre-season games because they are the biggest rip-off in professional sports):

Sept. 7 -- vs. Jacksonville
Sept. 14 -- at Cincinnati
Sept. 21 -- vs. Houston
Sept. 28 -- vs. Minnesota
Oct. 5 -- at Baltimore
Oct. 19 -- at Kansas City
Oct. 27 -- vs. Indianapolis
Nov. 2 -- vs. Green Bay
Nov. 9 -- at Chicago
Nov. 16 -- at Jacksonville
Nov. 23 -- vs. New York Jets
Nov. 27 -- at Detroit
Dec. 7 -- vs. Cleveland
Dec. 14 -- at Houston
Dec. 21 -- vs. Pittsburgh
Dec. 28 -- at Indianapolis

The Titans have a chance to get off to a quick start because they play three of their first four games at home. Plus, they have very winnable road games at Kansas City, at Baltimore, and at Houston.

There will be more time later for further analysis, but the Titans should post a 10-6 record with this schedule. And if the offense can at least take a small step forward, they could do better than that.

Media likely to ignore NFL's dirty little secrets amid Super Bowl hype

Personal note: The following is a newspaper column I wrote last year before I had this blog. Though a few of the references are dated (for example, Rick Reilly no longer writes for Sport's Illustrated, etc.), I believe the issues are just as relevant as one year ago. You won't hear much about these topics during Super Bowl week.

America is a country where hype is a part of every day life, and we are about to enter a week that ranks a "10" on the Hype-O-Meter.

This week the hype surrounding the Super Bowl will kick into overdrive. Yes, it is that time of year as pundits from all walks of life will dissect the game.

By kickoff, the media hype will reach excruciating levels as the same information will be rehashed over and over again. As much as I like football, the hype really is an exercise in futility.

Never have so many media members said so much with so little content, and nobody will be happier than the National Football League.

When ranking organizations that know how to control the media, the NFL has to rank near the top. The league is a popular, money-making machine, and because of this, the media often seems to take a hands-off approach when covering the league.

For example, why don't we see more reporting about issues relating to steroids and human growth hormone?

True, the league does have a steroids testing policy, but the media rarely forces the issue when covering the league.

Conversely, the media seemingly cannot get enough when it comes to the steroids controversy in baseball.

When former slugger Mark McGuire was recently kept out of the baseball hall of fame because of the steroids issue, both electronic and print media beat the story into the ground until it was six feet under.

This was despite the fact baseball had no steroids policy when McGuire played, and he never failed a steroids test.

Compare that with the treatment the media gave San Diego Chargers' linebacker Shawne Merriman after his suspension for violating the NFL’s steroid policy this year.

Merriman was suspended four games for the violation, but there was little media hand wringing.

His transgression was quickly forgotten as he was elected to the Pro Bowl and was a finalist for league defensive player of the year.

New league commissioner Roger Goodell will give a "State of the League" speech during Super Bowl week. My guess is the media will ask few questions about Merriman and the message his incident sent to the public.

In another area, consider the lack of coverage regarding the long-term health problems NFL players often face after their playing days are over.

For example, former Philadelphia Eagles safety Andre Waters committed suicide last November.

When physicians examined Waters' brain, they found he had the brain of an 85-year-old man with signs of Alzheimer's disease. Many experts believe this damage was the result of the repeated concussions Waters suffered during his playing career.

Players with long-term health problems extend far beyond Waters' problems. Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly wrote an excellent column earlier this year that dealt with the problem.

He described the plight of several now retired players.

For example, according to Reilly, former Oakland Raiders' center Jim Otto has had more than 60 operations, including 48 to his knees, three on his nose, three on his shoulders, and three on his back. Reilly wrote that Otto's ankle looks like "a science project."

Jim Plunkett, who quarterbacked in the NFL for 15 years, suffers from constant back and neck pain and has a spine so curved that he walks with a permanent tilt.

Former offensive lineman Dan Dierdorf now walks with a cane, and because of the head-first blocking technique he was taught, he is now two inches shorter than he was in college. He has two artificial hips and his ankle needs fusing. He joked in the article that he "has more titanium in my body than in my golf bag."

The list could go on and on, but I believe the picture is clear. When we watch the Super Bowl, the players will be sacrificing a lot more than their competitive spirit.

Shouldn't this trouble us? Shouldn't more questions be asked about this?

The answer is obviously 'yes' on both counts. The media is supposed to be the mouthpiece for the public, but my guess is they will ask few questions about this.

To paraphrase Shakespeare, the game is the thing. It seems to be all that matters.

The NFL is truly coated in Teflon.