"By now you've probably heard the theory about linebacker Keith Bulluck, and how the Titans might benefit from his season-ending knee injury.

It goes like this: As a free agent coming off a torn ACL, teams might be less willing to throw money at him, so the Titans could re-sign him at a bargain price.

The 10th-year pro's agent isn't buying it.

"I'm not concerned or worried about anything in regard to Keith,'' Gary Wichard said. "Every guy's running around with some kind of scar on him. He'll be in great shape, work hard, and be ready to go. And he'll be a highly paid player next year, too. Plenty of people know about Keith Bulluck and what he can do.''

Bulluck had surgery this week to repair the left knee injury, which he suffered in the Dec. 20 game against the Dolphins. The Titans haven't been the same on defense.

When Bulluck was injured in the third quarter, the Titans were leading the Dolphins 24-6. Since then, they've been outscored 60-20. In 13 drives over the past two games, opponents scored eight touchdowns.

Bulluck hadn't missed a game since 2001 - a streak of 127.

Wichard speaks from experience. In 2008, another of his clients - Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly - signed a seven-year, $50.5 million deal just four months after he tore his ACL. At the time it was the biggest contract ever given to a defensive tackle."