It will be strange seeing Keith Bulluck playing against his former team, the Tennessee Titans, this Sunday. There was doubt if he’d ever play again after he tore an ACL in December so I’m glad for him he’s still able to play.Keith was, in my opinion, the best defensive player who ever wore the two-tone blue. He was certainly the most consistent. KB never had a spectacular season like Jevon Kearse or Albert Haynesworth but he had eight very good seasons after spending his first two years primarily on special teams. (Former defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham would later say it was a mistake on his part not to start Bulluck sooner.)
A first-round draft pick in 2000, Bulluck accumulated 1,058 tackles, 19 interceptions, 15 forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries and 6 touchdowns for the Titans. KB earned first-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection in 2003.
These are some of my favorites among Keith’s great moments.
2000 – The Christmas game vs the Cowboys, perhaps the coldest home game the Titans ever played. Keith made his first career interception, which he returned eight yards for a touchdown in a 31-0 Titans win.
2002 – KB scooped a Peyton Manning fumble, caused by a Tank Williams blindside hit, and returned it 61 yards for a score. The Titans held on to beat the Colts 23-15.
2007 – “Mr. Monday Night” picked Drew Brees three times as the Titans beat the Saints on prime-time TV, 31-14.
2008 – One of my favorite KB plays occurred against the Bengals. Keith was on the field with the punt return unit and made a one-handed block, controlling the ball in the end zone. It wasn’t an important play in the 24-7 Titans win but it did showcase KB’s athleticism.
What are your best memories of Keith?
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