ZEROING IN ON... Nick Harper
WHO
Nick Harper, a seven-year veteran who, after winning Super Bowl XLI with the Colts, signed a three-year, $10 million free-agent deal with Tennessee.
HOW'S HE DOING?
Terrific. He's second on the team with 20 tackles, and, says Titans coach Jeff Fisher, Harper's play is a big reason the Titans have gone from 30th against the run last year to second this season.
HIS OFF-SEASON?
Harper was one of three NFL players to visit Iraq on a morale-building tour sponsored by a group of NFL alumni. He went to 10 bases and was moved by the soldiers' dedication. "A guy would finish his enlistment, and then," instead of taking time off to go home, "he'd reenlist for two years," says Harper. "I don't think I met one person who said, 'I don't want to be here.'"
WEIRDEST PLACE HE SAT
Saddam Hussein's throne inside the Imperial Palace. On his list of must-do things in life, says Harper, "that was definitely not one of them."
NEXT WEEK
Harper and the 2--1 Titans host the Falcons. That may cause rooting conflict in Harper's hometown: Baldwin, Ga., about an hour outside Atlanta.
TWO PHOTOS
JOHN BIEVER (HARPER)