Tennessee’s Thornton likes facing Indianapolis

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee linebacker David Thornton won’t hide it.

He really enjoys playing against the Indianapolis Colts, the team that chose not to keep him around when he hit free agency. And he’s been making them pay twice a year playing with the Titans.

“Whenever it’s your former team, there’s a little extra energy there. Maybe you play with a little more passion. I think the setting of a Monday night stage makes the game even bigger,” Thornton said.

The stakes are even higher tonight between the AFC South rivals. A win extends the best start in Titans history to 7-0 and helps Tennessee take a four-game lead in the loss column over Indianapolis (3-3), the team that has won five straight division titles.

“They’ve been the kings of the AFC South,” Thornton said. “At the same time, this is a new season. We have a lot of things going well for us, and we want to build on that. This division game [tonight] can definitely do some things for both teams. They need it. We need it just as much.”

The banged-up Colts certainly could use the three players that started their careers in Indianapolis but are currently playing in Tennessee. Thornton was the first to sign with the Titans in 2006. Cornerback Nick Harper won his Super Bowl ring with the Colts, then joined the Titans in 2007. Tennessee brought in Jake Scott to play right guard once Benji Olson retired.

“We’ve definitely gotten the right Colts,” Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck said.

The Colts sure have noticed.

“You hate to lose good players, you really do,” two-time MVP Peyton Manning said. “Jake Scott seems to be playing well for them. A lot of our good players we’ve lost through the years have gone to different places. But a number of them have gone to the Titans.”

Indianapolis really could have used Scott this season with all the injuries on its offensive line. Manning was protected by a pair of rookie guards the past few weeks, including in last week’s 34-14 loss at Green Bay in which he had two interceptions returned for touchdowns. Manning goes into this game with only one more touchdown pass (eight) than interceptions (seven).

But both Harper and Scott agree this game is more about a chance at grabbing a strong hold on the AFC South than personal feelings against their old team. Harper has been receiving text messages from his friends still with the Colts over the past few days and calls it all talk.

“Come Monday, it will be put to the test,” Harper said.