NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Keith Bulluck knows his answer to the question of how much is enough.

Coming off his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro season, the Tennessee linebacker could have played out the final year of his contract then become a free agent in search of more money. Instead, he signed a six-year, $36 million contract in March and remained a Titan.

Even though he’s now the NFL’s second-highest paid linebacker behind Baltimore’s Ray Lewis, Bulluck’s decision didn’t add up for some people.

“A couple of my friends around the league kind of were like, “Oh, you know you can get more. If you’re worth more, you can get more.’ Who’s to say if I played my contract out I would’ve made it through the whole season? I’ve got to take what’s given,” Bulluck said.

Bulluck has a ready answer for why he’s chasing his dreams of winning a Super Bowl instead of a few more dollars.

Taken in when he was 12 by a single mother who wound up raising him for six years, Bulluck already has more security than he ever expected. He figures he already captured a windfall when the Titans drafted him in the first round in 2000 out of Syracuse.

His biggest splurge since March? Buying a house.

“I’m kind of good with my money. I’ve been in a situation where I come from nothing. I’ve been in a situation where I didn’t have much of anything. I’m not going to lose it now. There’s no backtracking. I’m trying to be smart with my financial decisions,” he said.

His football decisions have been just as calculated. Sticking with the Titans keeps him on a team that has made two trips to the AFC championship game and is tied with St. Louis for the NFL’s best record over the past five seasons.

“You’ve never seen a defensive or offensive MVP playing on a losing team, so one of the goals is for our team to make the playoffs and win the Super Bowl,” Bulluck said. “We’ve been knocking on the door for so many years, it’s time to kick it in.”

Bulluck has led the Titans in tackles the past two seasons since becoming a starter in 2002 at outside linebacker, and had 171 last season in helping Tennessee rank first against the run in the NFL.

He also had three sacks, two interceptions, nine quarterback pressures, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Start listing the NFL’s top linebackers, and Bulluck’s name may not be near the top yet because he plays in the small market of Nashville. Linebackers coach Dave McGinnis, who used to coach Hall of Famer Mike Singletary in Chicago, said Bulluck gets his due from coaches.

“He’s a guy who people on offense have to account for. He’s the one who makes the play when you don’t even think he’s going to be in it. The playmakers become very evident. I think Keith Bulluck has even more ahead of him,” McGinnis said.

That is because Bulluck has been in the same defense for five years and knows his job and the role of the other linebackers on the field. He’s as comfortable in this system as someone who’s lived in a house for several years can be when the lights go off.

“I know where I’m supposed to be, and I’m beginning to learn where everyone else is supposed to be. It helps me play defense when all those things come into play,” he said.

That mental challenge is all that remains for someone who was athletic enough he played basketball and football in high school in New City, N.Y. Coach Jeff Fisher said Bulluck is in position to start guessing on plays.

“When you guess right, you’ve got a chance to make big plays,” Fisher said.

Steve McNair is just happy he has to face Bulluck only in practice.

“We have a lot of great linebackers in the NFL,” McNair said. “Keith is one of the top guys going as a young linebacker who’s going to be one of the great ones.”

AP-ES-08-18-04 1619EDT