Kearse Not Playing Like a Rookie

The argument might continue whether Tennessee won or lost Saturday’s game against Buffalo, but because the Titans have been given the go-ahead to keep playing, football fans will be treated to another performance by Jevon Kearse.

Kearse, the 16th player taken in last year’s draft because teams weren’t sure whether he should be a linebacker or defensive end, continues to manhandle quarterbacks.

He set an NFL record for rookies with 14 1/2 sacks and added two more against the Bills, including a hit in the end zone for two points.

“His presence is definitely a threat,” Buffalo offensive lineman Dusty Zeigler said. “When he’s on the field, it’s like everyone is looking for him.”

Kearse, nicknamed “the Freak” by his University of Florida teammates because of his amazing physique, can hold a ruler between his thumb and pinky finger. He can also separate the ball from the opposition. He led the league with 10 forced fumbles, and added two more against the Bills.

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The Buffalo Bills removed Doug Flutie as starting quarterback, but allowed him to remain team captain for the coin toss before the game.

Flutie called “heads” and it came up tails, keeping Flutie from having to make the decision whether to give the ball to Tennessee or to Rob Johnson to start the game.

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Flutie warmed up before the game, but he wasn’t throwing the ball to wide receiver Andre Reed, who used his own Web site to trash Flutie earlier in the week.

“Doug Flutie has changed as a person over one year,” Reed said.

On Johnson’s third pass of the game, he went to Reed, who dropped the ball.

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Titan Coach Jeff Fisher stressed the importance of a fast start to his team during the week’s pregame preparations, but Tennessee, which had outscored the opposition 113-44 in the first quarter this season, failed to score and gained only one first down. . . . The teams combined to run 65 plays in a not-so-scintillating first half, averaging 2.8 yards per play. . . . Buffalo defensive end Bruce Smith, playing in his 20th playoff game, became the NFL’s all-time postseason leader in sacks with 14 1/2, including 2 1/2 against the Titans. Smith had been tied with Reggie White, who had 12 in 19 postseason games. Smith also got tagged for roughing the quarterback, arriving too late to sack Steve McNair. . . . For a game with such an exciting ending, it was pretty dull early on. The longest pass play covered 37 yards--Johnson to Eric Moulds--on the Bills’ final drive. McNair’s longest completion covered 14 yards.