NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee's Jevon Kearse used his speed, long arms and even bigger hands to make an instant impression on the NFL and prove he deserved the nickname “Freak.”

        Now a three-year veteran, the defensive end has seen the future in tackle Albert Haynesworth, the Titans' top draft pick this year.

        “He's a freak in his own sense,” Kearse said. “He's a bigger freak.”

        The Titans saw Kearse-like potential when they drafted Haynesworth out of the University of Tennessee with the 16th pick overall. They hope the 20-year-old Haynesworth develops as quickly as Kearse, a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

        The 320-pound Haynesworth has been on the field with the 265-pound Kearse only twice, in voluntary workouts Thursday and Friday. He has made rookie mistakes, such as jumping offside, but there have been enticing moments.

        “Every once in a while you can see some special characteristics out of him,” coach Jeff Fisher said.

        Haynesworth tried to get Kearse's autograph at the Super Bowl but failed. Now Kearse is eager to help the rookie learn to eliminate the double-teams he faced repeatedly last season. He likes what he sees so far.

        “He's a 300-pounder, has a good change of direction,” Kearse said. “He listened to other players and to the coach.”

        Haynesworth wanted to make a good first impression on veterans such as Kearse and Kevin Carter but quickly discovered the NFL is quite different from college.

        He thought he was ready for the NFL after working with a trainer running hills.

        But Haynesworth struggled with some cramping after his first workout with the veterans Thursday and still was sweating heavily a half-hour later when he talked with reporters.

        The biggest difference he has found is the tempo of play in the NFL.

        “Right now, I could go back to college and run 10 plays easy and not be as tired,” Haynesworth said. “Here it's like full speed during a game.”

        Tackle John Thornton, who has been giving Haynesworth plenty of tips, said the rookie has considerable talent and needs only to learn more techniques to deal with veteran offensive linemen.

        “Jevon's (nickname) came from his hustle making plays downfield,” Thornton said. “If Albert can get his technique down, he can start making plays like Jevon does.”

        Nothing would make the Titans happier.

        Meeks making an impression on Colts players

        The Indianapolis Colts' defenders like what they see.

        They're eager to try out the new scheme Tony Dungy and Ron Meeks are teaching, they're ready to change course after two straight disappointing seasons, and they're excited to be working with a staff that's doing things a little differently.

        “He's aggressive, in your face, telling you what he wants done,” said linebacker Mike Peterson, describing Meeks, the new defensive coordinator. “I love his style, his approach, the way he does things. I think he's a perfect fit.”

        The Colts certainly hope so.

        Indianapolis allowed the most points in the NFL last season and finished 29th overall. Those numbers were a big reason that the Colts finished 6-10 and didn't make the playoffs for the first time in three years.

        It also cost coach Jim Mora his job.

        But with a new staff comes a different philosophy, renewed hope and a different perspective.

        “There's a new energy,” third-year linebacker Marcus Washington said. “Guys are more pumped up, they're more into it. Guys are having more fun.”

        That's all good, but what Indianapolis needs most is a dramatic turnaround, and Meeks has proven he knows how to get it done. He was an assistant in St. Louis last season when the Rams, who had allowed the league's most points in 2000, went from 23rd to third in overall defense and returned to the Super Bowl.

        One of the biggest reasons was the improvement in the secondary, which improved from 27th to 10th under Meeks' leadership. He is hoping to do the same thing in Indianapolis.

        “It's like any other job, it's a challenge,” said Meeks, who is in his first season as a defensive coordinator. “For us, we're just trying to instill some consistency.”

        What Meeks has installed is a simpler, more aggressive approach that relies more on reactions than reads.

        And although this is his first time coaching under Tony Dungy, Meeks understands the system after working with St. Louis defensive coordinator Lovie Smith last year. Smith coached under Dungy in Tampa Bay.

        But it's not just Meeks.

        “He's got a lot of energy and he's very positive,” defensive end Chad Bratzke said of new defensive line coach John Teerlinck.

        “He's fun to play for. He's been around the league a long time, he knows what he's doing and he's got a heck of a sense of humor.”

        The combination of coaches and attitude has created excitement inside the Colts' locker room.

        Bratzke lost weight to take advantage of the system's reliance on speed. Ellis Johnson, who has been with the team since 1995, has said he's always wanted to play in this type of system.

        Washington, who made the move from defensive line to linebacker his first season and then started for the first time last season, is all smiles, too.

        And after two mini-camps, Meeks has seen the kind of progress he expected.

        “I think we've made some improvements,” Meeks said. “I think they have the right attitude, they're beginning to understand the concept, they believe and trust in it. I think what we've done so far has really helped.”

        Most important, though, is that the players like it.

        “Basically if you put in a tape of Tampa Bay or St. Louis, that's what we're trying to do,” Peterson said. “When you see that, why wouldn't you be excited?”

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