On draft weekend, the future is WIDE open

Hello, gentlemen. Are you focused on the National Football League draft this weekend? Or are you pursuing something else?

In any event, it's hard for us guys to ignore what occurred at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in recent days.

If you're a hometown fan of the Tennessee Titans here in Nashville, you may (or may not) like the first overall pick of Cam Ward of the Miami Hurricanes.

The past few years have seemed like a hurricane for the Titans, so here's hoping that Mr. Ward can calm the storm in the course of time.

You'll see plenty of hugs, tears, and jubilation as you watch these college football players turn pro. Tomorrow, they'll be with their new team as the subsequent rounds of the draft continue throughout the weekend.

It's a moment that they've worked tirelessly for, and they are entitled to a moment of celebration. 

Even if that celebration is not quite what they hoped for. Anyone heard of Shedeur Sanders?

In any event, there is a long way to go to prove oneself in the high-end culture of the NFL. Nothing comes easy. I have heard it said that "NFL" stands for "Not For Long".

As a Titans fan, I can cite several first round picks from years past that did not turn out to be "first rate": Marcus Mariota, Vince Young, Jake Locker, Isaiah Wilson, Caleb Farley, and Treylon Burks - just to name a few.

The aforementioned football players come from just one team out of thirty-two. In other words, this is merely the "tip of the iceberg". They all earned a first round nod in their respective years. But they never lived up to the top billing they received on draft night.

Regardless of which team you love and which players you prefer, draft weekend is merely a forecast.

Forecasts are sometimes accurate. Sometimes - not so much.

While you're watching the draft throughout the weekend (April 24 - April 26), remember that all players drafted have a lot to be proud of ...

But said players have a lot to prove moving forward, too.

James A. Rose, Publisher