NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Listen to Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck, and his words sound like a Thanksgiving Day nightmare for even those with the smallest of appetites.

"I felt like I was sitting at the table and I couldn't eat, and they were like throwing little scraps here and there," he said.

Sounds like a cruel punishment, though in this case Bulluck's words had nothing to do with turkey and dressing. Instead, they had everything to do with his first two seasons in the NFL. Bulluck was forced to wait patiently for his turn at a starting linebacker spot because he had veterans in front of him.

Next in the serving line, Bulluck offered these words before the 2002 season even began: "Now I am about to get a full-course meal and that is what I've been waiting for," he said. "I feel like I waited too long; I am finally about to eat and I'm eating everything in sight. My hunger is unexplainable."

Bulluck, the Titans' first-round draft pick (No. 30 overall) out of Syracuse in 2000, has delivered. He's made opposing ball carriers his prey, and has quickly made up for lost time in his first year as a starter.

Heading into tomorrow's game against the Ravens, Bulluck has 114 tackles in 10 games, 45 stops ahead of the team's second-leading tackler (Peter Sirmon). He also leads the Titans in tackles for losses (six) and forced fumbles (three), and has 10 quarterback pressures.

"I think he's probably been our best player so far," defensive tackle Henry Ford said. "I always thought he was good, a real athletic, hungry linebacker. I must say I think he's played a lot better than I expected him to."

The other thing Bulluck has perhaps done: make the team question itself for waiting so long to play him. In his first two seasons, Bulluck played on special teams and situational packages on defense while veterans Eddie Robinson and Greg Favors started as outside linebackers.

Titans linebackers coach Gunther Cunningham said Bulluck was on the verge of taking a starting spot during the middle of last season, but sprained his ankle the week the move was going to take place.

"I think this is one of those years where a lot of people are sitting at home on Sundays or at games saying, 'Man, who is this Bulluck guy?' " said Steve Tasker, a six-time Pro Bowl player with the Bills who has announced two Titans games this season for CBS. "I think he is having the type of year where if guys had heard of him last year he'd be going to the Pro Bowl."

In fact, about the only thing the Titans say Bulluck can improve on is pacing himself. The emotional 25-year-old had to go to the locker room during the team's game at Indianapolis a few weeks ago to get intravenous fluids, and Cunningham said sometimes Bulluck will use up so much energy early that he is worn out at the end of games.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher knows there's a method to Bulluck's madness.

"He is one of those guys, the reason he is doing as well as he is doing is he doesn't think about the fourth quarter. He plays every play as hard as he can," Fisher said. "You have to play hard to make the number of plays he is making."

Bulluck said he won't slow down. With middle linebacker Randall Godfrey out of the lineup the past five games with an ankle injury, he has taken it upon himself to do even more. He has become one of the leaders of the defense.

"I know you can't drive a car full speed and never have to refuel," Bulluck said. "But hey, I can't pace myself. If I pace myself, that means I am slowing up earlier in the game and I'm not going to do that. The way I look at it is I give it all until it runs out."

Next for Ravens, Matchup:Ravens (4-6) vs. Tennessee Titans (6-4)

Site:Ravens Stadium

When:Tomorrow, 1 p.m.

TV/Radio:Ch. 13/WJFK (1300 AM), WQSR (102.7 FM)

Line:Titans by 2

SunSpot:For more coverage, visit sunspot.net/ravens