Keith Bulluck: Remember This Titan

Leadership

"...We lost a few main components of the team this year, but a good team is able to rebuild and comeback, sometimes even stronger...We're going to handle our business as planned.  We've knocked on the door, but this year we're going to kick it in."

Determination

"My mentality is I ball until I fall..."

Passion

"I would like to see a hungry personality out of the team.  Those who are hungry find a way to eat..."

Greatness

"He always had playmaker written all over him.  From his first day, you could see he could play, but sometimes you have to wait your turn in this league.  When his turn came, he showed people he was a do-it-all player..."

On Tuesday, the Titans signed outside linebacker Will Witherspoon, taking away the slightest hope left that Keith Bulluck could return to Tennessee in 2010.

Bulluck will go down as the third most beloved player in Titans history (excluding the Houston-era), only after Mr. Titan himself, Eddie George, and the late, great Steve McNair.

Keith Bulluck proclaimed himself "Mr. Monday Night," but every Sunday afternoon for eight years he led the Titans defense into battle. 

He wasn't the flashiest player on the field, nor did he demand attention from the media, but he was the best football player on the field much of the time, and he demanded that his teammates gave all they had on every down of every game.  Only a torn ACL could end this warrior's streak of 127 straight games played. 

Run-stopping, coverage linebackers that play in a 4-3 front are far too often overlooked when naming the best in the game.  Pass rushers receive all of the praise and accolades.  Keith Bulluck was only elected to one Pro Bowl in his entire outstanding career.

Bulluck isn't a sack artist, but a tackle master. 

He led the team in take downs six out of his eight years as a starter, as well as recording 100 or more tackles in six of those eight seasons.  He has halted more ball carriers than all but two players in franchise history.  Bulluck didn't even make the Pro Bowl when he led the league in tackles in 2004.

Keith Bulluck will go down as one of the most underrated players in NFL the past decade.

Bulluck's playmaking ability isn't given nearly the credit it deserves.  He has 19 career interceptions.  He holds the Titans single-season record by a linebacker with five.  Three of those picks were in one game and came against a pretty good quarterback named Drew Brees.

Ignorant football fans may forget about Keith Bulluck down the road, but Titans fans will remember him forever.  The hardest part about seeing him leave is him walking out of Nashville without a Super Bowl ring.

Good luck Keith.

Where you will end up,

I do not have a clue,

but it won't be the same,

as you in two-tone blue.