Music City Miracles Interviews Tennessee Titans Linebacker Keith Bulluck
by Aditya T (smashville) on Feb 15, 2010 11:00 AM CST
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I had the pleasure of asking Tennessee Titans linebacker (and MCM reader) Keith Bulluck some questions. A huge thanks to Keith for doing this! Let's start...
How is your knee rehab coming this offseason?
My rehab is coming along well, on schedule to start opening day for someone's team. The hardest part was after surgery when I couldn't do things on my own, but Nurse Betty took great care of me.
How much more do you think you still have left in the tank for the future?
I don't like to put limits on things especially my career, so I'm gonna just let it play out. The way I was playing before the injury may give you a slight indication of how much I have left in the tank.
What do you think of next year's Titans defense?
I honestly don't think anything of next year's Titans defense. I'm not on their roster right now so it doesn't concern me.
Do you expect an improvement?
If I'm not playing with the Titans next year I hope the defense does improves, they have some players. I know those guys want to win and work hard everyday.
More after the jump...
What inspired you to play linebacker?
There was absolutely no inspiration whatsoever for me to play linebacker. I went to Syracuse as a strong safety wanting to become the next Ronnie Lott, and left as the 30th pick overall at outside linebacker for the Titans. Still mad about position switch, but I'd say it worked out.
In your ten seasons with the Titans, what is your favorite memory?
In my ten seasons with the Titans I've collected a lot of memories, some good, some bad. There are plenty...the one that stands out in my mind at the time is the 2003 season. It was my first year as a starter. We started off 1-4 (won the first, lost the next four) and went to the AFC Championship but lost to the Raiders. In that one year I saw how bad and good things could be in one season. I am still cool with a lot of those fellas. That was a team that was down but never out. I know for a fact that every week we stepped on the field, even when we were losing, we were gonna kick somebodies ass...The Tennessee Tyrants were born.
What did you think about Coach Chuck Cecil's coaching this season? How hard was it to change from Jim Schwartz's style?
I think Coach Cecil did a good job as a first year coordinator. He had a lot to learn about his defense and we had to learn his coaching style in a short amount of time. Position coach to defensive coordinator isn't as easy of a transition that most would think, for players or coaches. We went through some rough patches with Schwartz defensively until we started to have success.
How much time have you spent mentoring the young Titans linebackers?
I don't know how much time I spend mentoring the young linebackers. I mean, I definitely give assistance when needed in the classroom or on the field. We've always had a smart group of linebackers since I've been here. I'm a vocal person and will ask questions even if I know the answer so maybe a younger guy can pick up on it. In our linebacker room we don't hold anyone's hand, you've gotta be a professional about your work. We kinda always taught by committee anyway, and of course Dave McGinnis (Titans linebacker coach) got us prepared for anything every week.
In the event that you move on from the Titans, do you think they will be able to manage by themselves?
Yes, of course those guys will be able to manage by themselves if I'm not here. I wouldn't expect anything less from a Titan linebacker.
Who was your favorite player in the NFL growing up as a kid? Who was your favorite team?
Ronnie Lott and Bo Jackson were my favorite players growing up. My favorite team was Joe Montana's 49ers and the Cowboys until after the Big Three won their first ring.
Would you be open to being placed under a franchise tag for next season?
I would be open to the franchise tag because it would allow me another opportunity to win a championship with the only NFL team I have been on. I'm not holding my breath though.
Again, thanks to Keith for doing this. Follow him on Twitter at @kbull53. Note to the Titans : Resign this man!
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Great job smash
and thanks Keith for doing this!
Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.
"What if I was Peyton Manning?"- CJ to the ref after they picked up a personal foul flag for a late hit on him.
Wow thanks Bulluck!
"Sure, luck means a lot in football. Not having a good quarterback is bad luck." - Don Schula
"Pro football is like nuclear warfare. There are no winners, only survivors." - Frank Gifford
C'mon Mikey!
SIGN. THIS. MAN.
Christie kicks it high and short...Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25...He dishes it back to Wycheck...He throws it across the field to Dyson...
www.manningface.com
Got to love KB
Always telling like it is. Thanks smash for a great interview.
I'm not a VY fanboy, I'm a VY supporter
Thank you Mr. Bulluck!
They’d better resign you!
Ain't no time for hesitatin'
All you got to do is groove
by BonzosMontreaux on Feb 15, 2010 12:42 PM CST reply actions
FOR THE RECORD, I want him resigned as well
but there are potential reasons not to:
1. He’s old, and is coming off a severe knee injury that not only ended last years season, but will more than likely kill his chances of being productive in 2010 as well. Then in 2011 there will more than likely be a lockout, so you’re looking at 2012 as the next time you will have him for a full season again and not coming off a huge knee injury.
2. Nobody knows his contract demands specifically, but his agent said his knee injury will not affect their asking price. If this is true, that’s retarded for the reasons in #1.
T-Rac's Posse - T-Rac is one boss raccoon.
My personal Tribute to Air McNair
by T--Rac's Posse on Feb 15, 2010 1:42 PM CST up reply actions
agreed
It might not affect their asking price, but surely they know they’re gonna get less money. Such a shame. Good Luck Keith!
Thanks Bulluck for doing this
The Titans need to resign this man he’s shown he can still play and I’m not sure it’s time to turn to a younger LB yet.
As a side note, we need more of these. I really enjoyed this interview.
Anytime you get an interview with a pro, it's always big...
and there’s nobody bigger on the Titans than #53!!!!!
Doesn't sound like a guy
ready for early retirement to me. I know, cause I’m ready for early retirement and I know what I sound like.
Great interview, and good luck to Keith regardless of where he ends up.
This was fantastic.
Damn, I love this blog. Do other Titans read this thing?
"And with the 15th pick, the Tennessee Titans select..."
Want to see you back Bulluck
Great guy, great player. C’mon Mike, Jeff and Bud…. PLEASE just give us this one. You didn’t give us Kearse (the first time), Eddie, Samari Rolle, D.Mason or even Mac9. Heck the only reason we got Wychek was because of his concussions. Just give us this one please. The Ravens got Ray Lewis….. please let Keith Bulluck retire as a Titan.
"Oh, you should never, never doubt what nobody is sure about." Gene Wilder - Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
by Chris Faulkner on Feb 15, 2010 10:07 PM CST reply actions
Well done and thanks for the time KB.
That’s pretty badass if you don’t mind me saying so.
by back2smashmouth on Feb 15, 2010 10:11 PM CST reply actions
Thank You Mr. Bulluck!
I appreciate that a man of his stature would take the time to do that. He has got a lot of class.
Way to go Smash for landing the interview! Great job.
Congratulation to the interview MCM!
It is a good read!
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Feb 16, 2010 1:05 AM CST reply actions
The writings on the wall...
Anyone else notice the writing on the wall? “I honestly don’t think anything of next year’s Titans defense. I’m not on their roster right now so it doesn’t concern me.” This doesn’t sound like a man who seriously thinks he’s staying with the Titans. I’m sure he knows how contract negotiations are going, if they are going on at all. I, for one, will support the man no matter where he ends up. He is certainly one of the Titans all time greats who gives everything he has on the field, even when everyone gives up (remember the Pats?!). Much support and respect from Las Vegas Mr. Bulluck, unless you end up with the Ravens (lol!).
Re-Sign Bulluck!!!
How is this a hard decision? Keith is still a very solid player and although he may have lost a step, it’s not like our other OLB’s are getting any younger (don’t get me wrong, David is great). I agree that OLB is a position we will need to address in the coming years and perhaps even in this draft, but that is no reason to let a leader of this team go. He is still a player with amazing instincts and he inspires the team. Tennessee, when are you going to realize that sometimes, it is a GOOD thing to overspend on a player because of what he brings to the table, and not just in sheer physical ability? Don’t let Keith be another casualty of us phasing out our players before their time. There’s a reason the Ravens have taken so many of our players and gotten a few good years out of them! Even Vanden Bosch should really be kept. Just pay the guy what he’s earned. What are you going to do, release Chris Johnson if he keeps playing well?
He's pretty gracious in the interview to the rest of the defense...
…particularly considering that the Titans haven’t tried to re-sign him yet. I mean, the man could have EASILY noted that Miami scored 19 unanswered points after he went out, and after that, San Diego just whupped up on that same defensive group. Hell, even the Seahawks Offense was mostly clicking against that Defense, and they weren’t even good!
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
by DannoE on Feb 16, 2010 7:29 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Priorities
I know Bulluck got injured this year, but players have come back from injuries worse than his to have success (see: Brees, Drew.) What’s chapping my rear about the offseason so far is the team re-signed Amano quickly, but I have not heard much headway being made on Tulloch or Bulluck. I know Bulluck couldn’t stir up any trouble in this interview, but I caught something last week on the show NFL Full Contact on Tru TV. That episode was all about kickoff weekend when the Titans played the Steelers last year. There’s a quick shot of Bulluck talking to some other defenders and you hear him say, “They’re only taking what we’re giving them.” I’m able to extrapolate that to the defensive scheme that we saw fail miserably all year of “keeping everything in front of you and giving up the short pass and anything underneath.” Bulluck saw that problem the first game of the season and had to play the whole season under it. I could keep going, but this is long enough.
"I'm the best boy. I'm the best." - Blaine Bishop (sideline audio picked up years ago after Bishop made a play against the Colts in the playoffs)
I saw that too
And that show was very interesting. That Tim McGraw look alike was ridiculous.
Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.
by Aditya T (smashville) on Feb 16, 2010 10:13 AM CST up reply actions
Yes, he was
"I'm the best boy. I'm the best." - Blaine Bishop (sideline audio picked up years ago after Bishop made a play against the Colts in the playoffs)
Gamesmanship
It’s contract time, so Bulluck needs to work the system as hard as the system is working him.
He may be old and banged up, but this quote alone would have me signing him back in a flash:
Yes, of course those guys will be able to manage by themselves if I’m not here. I wouldn’t expect anything less from a Titan linebacker.
Damn skippy.
great work smash!
we finally got the interview!
thanks Keith for doing this. hope you stay as a Titan til you retire.
"I finished the game. In my mind, if I finished the game, I can play next week." - Steve McNair RIP
Charter Member of the Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame
Great job Smash...
and a big thanks to K – Bull for doing this. I really hope the Titans work out a deal for him. He has been great both on and off the field, and I would like nothing more than to see him retire a Titan. I know the business side of football is not pretty, but I really would hate to see him in another uniform.
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