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The Titans are coming off one of the earliest byes that I can remember. The bye weeks are calculated by the league so the team doesn't have any control over it. I think the best ones are during the middle of the season. I always loved them around Week 8, 9 or 10. I remember one year we had one perfectly placed in the middle of the season. We played eight games, then had our bye followed by the final eight games. You don't like for the bye week to be too early because you still have a long haul to go. At the same time it all depends on the state of your team. If you have a lot of injuries, which the Titans don't, then the bye week can't come soon enough. The main thing is you can't focus on when the bye is because it is out of your control. All you can do is get your rest and come back ready to get after it. Regardless of when the bye occurs, it is always great to spend time with family and loved ones.
I wouldn't worry about the bye week slowing down the momentum of the team. The fire and passion to play football are always there for a player. You are always anxious to get back out there. I don't think that ever changes. If anything, the week off just makes you more excited to get back in the locker room with your teammates. You just have to refocus. Hopefully the Titans got some good rest and got some quality time with their families. That time is important, especially for rookies and newcomers. Some of those young guys or new veterans might be in the process of moving into a house or getting comfortable with a new city. The time off allows you to do those chores that you can't get done during a normal regular season week.
I was pretty consistent with my bye weeks during my career. I always went home to Utah and hopefully the Utes would have a home football game. I would go and sit on the sideline and do a few interviews here and there. Basically, I would just relax and spend time with friends and family.
This week the Titans play their second home game of the season. Atlanta is a team you have to watch out for. They have a lot of veterans and are in a position where they can be a dangerous team. Some people have written them off with the unfortunate incidents before the season, but they won a big game against Houston last week. They have a new head coach and once he gets everything in place and he gets guys buying into his system, they are going to be a dangerous team. The Titans are playing extremely well though, especially on defense. It is going to be difficult for Atlanta to get anything going at LP Field.
In a few weeks I will check back in.
