Giants' Keith Bulluck had unhappy ending with Titans

The dream for many athletes, especially those who play a major role in their team's success, is to play their entire career for one team and cement their identity with the franchise. Even before he suffered a season-ending knee injury last season, linebacker Keith Bulluck could tell his days with the Tennessee Titans were numbered after nine seasons.

There was no talk of a contract extension before the season, and even when he was playing well at midseason, Bulluck said there was no indication he would return this season. "I think the writing was on the wall, which is fine," Bulluck said Wednesday after practice. "I would have loved to have stayed in Tennessee and finish with the team that brought me into the NFL, but just being there, I know how that organization works. No one finishes their career there.

"I was definitely prepared for that. In my situation, it just sucks how I left because I had an injury."

Although Bulluck has been moved to outside linebacker and barely played last week at Indianapolis when the Giants often used six defensive backs, all indications are that he will have a much larger role in the gameplan against the Titans. The No. 1 priority Sunday at New Meadowlands Stadium will be to stop running back Chris Johnson, who last season became the sixth back in NFL history to top 2,000 yards rushing (2,006).

Geared to stop the passing of Peyton Manning last week, the Giants' run defense was gashed early, but they won't be so light in the seat against Johnson. "It's definitely going to be a front-seven game," Bulluck said, referring to the defensive line and linebackers. "Tennessee is one of those teams from that old black and blue division. They're going to run the ball; they're going to run downhill.

"Chris Johnson, he's fast and people think he's an outside runner. He's really not. He's an in-between-the-tackles runner. He likes to mix it up. He likes to bang inside, and they have a great offensive line and a very good fullback. Everybody likes to see Chris do well because they know they're going to do well as a team."

Bulluck said it won't be strange to play the Titans because he was so used to facing their offense in practice. But it might be a tad more emotional.

"They're used to me being out there talking stuff, running my mouth, playing against them, but now, it counts for something and I'm looking forward to it," Bulluck said. "I know how hard these guys work and how much the game means to them. They know it means the same to me. This game will definitely be fun and no holds barred."