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The time has come There's lots at stake in the AFC Championship
Posted: Saturday January 22, 2000 04:09 PM
Tennessee Titans cornerback Samari Rolle, a second year player out of Florida State, is doing a daily diary for CNNSI.com throughout the AFC Championship. He talked with CNNSI.com's John Donovan after the Titans went through a final walkthrough Saturday afternoon in North Florida. AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. -- The game is almost here. I think it's finally starting to hit us. Seems like guys are anxious to get it over with. There has been a lot of outside stuff going on this week, lots of people calling for tickets for this game. I was able to get about 20 of them for family members, friends and ex-teammates. But that's not enough. Not nearly enough. I had to turn a lot of people down. This game will really be kind of special for me. Growing up in the state [Rolle is from Miami], going to school here, then seeing the success that the Jaguars are having ... it's going to be great. It kind of makes you proud to be from Florida. I've seen some Titans fans since I've been down here [the team arrived late Friday night], but there are a lot more Jaguars fans, obviously. I know we'll hear some Tennessee fans, though, when it comes time to play. There's a whole lot of interest from both sides. The crowd can really get you worked up, and we've done well on the road this year [the Titans won last weekend in Indianapolis]. But, when it gets right down to it, the crowd can't come down on the field and play for you. Once the game starts, it's up to us. We control everything that happens to us. I know a couple of players on the Jaguars -- I played with [rookie defensive tackle] Larry Smith [at Florida State]. I know Fred Taylor [the Jags' running back, who went to the University of Florida]. Aaron Beasley [a cornerback]. But that's about it. I haven't talked to any of them this week. When I do tomorrow, it'll be like "How you doing?" and "Good luck." That'll be it. There's a lot at stake. The Super Bowl. The respect thing. Both teams have had great years. I really expect a good, hard-fought game. As far as the game goes, I think it's pretty clear what we have to do. We have to stop Fred Taylor, and not give up the big play. Sounds pretty simple. It's not. I may get Jimmy Smith some -- I guess off and on. I consider him the best receiver in the league, without a doubt. And him and [Keenan] McCardell, I think they're the best pair of receivers in the league. I just have to make sure I play with good, sound technique. I'm going to talk with my family some tonight [Saturday], go over my gameplan. I might go out some ... I'll see how I feel. We have an 11 o'clock curfew, so we'll all be in by then. Then I'll get up tomorrow morning and we'll go at it. It's time.
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