HARD FEELINGS
On the Tennessee Titans’ message board last week was: “No Pro Bowls, No Respect,” a reminder from coach Jeff Fisher that no player was voted to the Pro Bowl this season. One suggestion being considered is that if the Titans win the Super Bowl, owner Bud Adams, whose business empire includes a travel agency, would pick up the $250,000 tab for the team to vacation in Hawaii, wear Super Bowl T-shirts and play golf within sight of the AFC players going through Pro Bowl practices.
SQUEAKERS
The Titans are the only team to reach this season’s conference finals with a winning margin of less than 14 points in the semifinals. The Titans needed a disputed overtime field goal against Pittsburgh to reach the AFC title game, while Philadelphia (14), Oakland (20) and Tampa Bay (25) were crushing opponents to advance.
GOOD REBOUNDERS
20-2
Combined records of the Raiders (8-1) and Titans (12-1) after their respective four-game losing streaks earlier this season.
MANO A’ MANO
Raiders RT Lincoln Kennedy vs. Titans DLE Kevin Carter
Kennedy, voted to the last three Pro Bowls, is one of the best right tackles in football, an athletic 6-foot-6-inch, 335-pounder taken ninth in the 1993 draft. Carter, the sixth player taken in the ’95 draft, has returned to form with 10 sacks. Both players were acquired via trades and have proved they’re worth what their teams gave up for them.
