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June 18, 2003) -- The Tennessee Titans had an impressive 40 sacks last season, 30 by their defensive linemen.
They had the NFL's second-ranked defense against the run.
They won the AFC South. They played for the conference championship.
In short, the Titans hardly looked like a team that was missing one of the league's best defensive players for most of the season.
But it would be wrong to assume they were unfazed by the fact Jevon Kearse sat out 12 games after suffering a fractured foot in the season opener. The Titans knew they would have been a better club, perhaps even reached the Super Bowl, with Kearse healthy and performing at the level that made him a three-time Pro Bowl selection and earned him the nickname "The Freak." They know they will be better in 2003 with Kearse at the top of his game.
They had the NFL's second-ranked defense against the run.
They won the AFC South. They played for the conference championship.
In short, the Titans hardly looked like a team that was missing one of the league's best defensive players for most of the season.
But it would be wrong to assume they were unfazed by the fact Jevon Kearse sat out 12 games after suffering a fractured foot in the season opener. The Titans knew they would have been a better club, perhaps even reached the Super Bowl, with Kearse healthy and performing at the level that made him a three-time Pro Bowl selection and earned him the nickname "The Freak." They know they will be better in 2003 with Kearse at the top of his game.
