NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans know all about Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, from his 13 Pro Bowls to his five Super Bowl rings.
With 230 career victories, Brady is the NFL's all-time winningest player.
Those who've been around him know it didn't happen by accident.
"He's got the chalk last," Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees said of Brady. "He knows what you are doing, and he's going to find if guys are giving something away with their stance, if a guy is giving something away in an alignment. He studies and he studies and he studies, and he is so doggone competitive.
"That little boyish charm that he gives you in TV is not what he is. He is a very, very fierce, competitive guy, and he's planning on winning every time he walks out there. I've always admired him, I've always really respected him when I was coaching with him, and especially against him."
Pees served as defensive coordinator from 2006-09 with the Patriots, and competed against him in practices.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel played from 2001-08 with the Patriots, and was Brady's teammate.
On Sunday at Nissan Stadium, the Titans will try and stop him.
"He's a competitive player, competitive person on and off the field," Vrabel said. "He loves football, and I think that's the first thing, is that he loves everything about football. He loves the locker room, he loves the challenges that it brings, he loves going out on the field and competing. His body can do it longer than mine could at the position that he plays."
Titans cornerbacks Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler are former Patriots who also competed against Brady in practices.
The Titans know they have their work cut out for them. Brady has completed 10 touchdowns vs zero interceptions for a 134.7 rating in his past three meetings with the Titans. He aims for his fifth in a row vs the Titans with a 100-plus rating.
"One thing I know about Brady is he competes all game long," Ryan said. "I just know the time he puts in – there's a commitment from him to be the best quarterback he can be, and I saw that personally for four years."
The Titans say they'll be ready.
"Going up against a team that is in the Super Bowl it seems like every year, facing Tom Brady," Titans safety Kevin Byard said. "You don't really have to say any more after Tom Brady. The opportunity we have to go against a guy like that is exciting."
Sharpe Update
Titans receiver Tajae Sharpe returned to practice on Friday after missing earlier in the week.
Sharpe, who turned his ankle in pregame warmups at Dallas, sounded optimistic about his chances of playing on Sunday.
"I'm doing all right," Sharpe said. "I feel good. … Any chance I get to be out there with my guys on the field, I am going to do everytihng I can to be out there."
Sharpe had seven catches for 101 receiving yards against the Chargers, but he was held to just one catch against the Cowboys.
Sharpe is listed as questionable on the team's Injury Report.
Injury Report
Right tackle Jack Conklin (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game vs. the Patriots.
Dennis Kelly is expected to start in his place.
Linebacker Derrick Morgan (shoulder), receiver Taywan Taylor (foot) and safety Dane Cruikshank (knee) did not practice on Friday for the Titans.
Defensive lineman Bennie Logan (knee) practiced Friday after being limited a day earlier.
Linebackers Daren Bates (illness) and Will Compton (hamstring) also practiced.
Cruikshank, Taylor, Morgan and Logan are all listed as questionable on the team's Injury Report.
