By Mark Curnutte
Cincinnati Enquirer

Kevin Carter, Tennessee's right defensive end, has picked up his game in the absence of injured left end Jevon Kearse.

Carter is tied for the AFC lead with six sacks, and he will be trying to get to Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna.

Kitna, in the most recent Bengals-Titans game, was sacked once in his 48 pass plays and threw for 340 yards and had time to exploit soft secondary coverage.

Bengals seventh-year right tackle Willie Anderson will be standing in Carter's way today.

Anderson, who played in his 100th game two weeks ago, is having another good season as the leader of the Bengals' offensive line. He has played through right hamstring and left shoulder strains to start every game.

Anderson will have to keep Carter away from Kitna and open holes for Corey Dillon. Dillon's longest run this season went through the right side against the Indianapolis Colts.

Carter, in addition to sacks, is getting pressure on quarterbacks on early downs. He takes pride in compensating for the loss of Kearse, who broke a bone in his left foot in the season opener. Coach Jeff Fisher has started three players at right end.

"I definitely feel the pressure," said Carter, on pace to equal the franchise record of 16 sacks set by the Oilers' Elvin Bethea in 1973. "I put pressure on myself to perform, because we don't have Jevon on that other side."

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