The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • C1

SPORTS CLARK'S RECORD PERFORMANCE PUTS MTSU IN NCAA TOURNAMENT 5C if WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2010 THETENNESSEAN SPORTS NEWS ON YOUR CELL Text TNSPORTS to 44636 (4INFO) for news as it happens. Vanderbilt Baseball Season Tickets on Sale Now. vucommodores.com WESTERN CONFERENCE ('-division leader; x-late game Tuesday). Defense secures a win JNiMmiiiuiii niimi Team Points San Jose 93 Chicago 91 Vancouver-x 82 Phoenix 83 Los Angeles 82 Colorado-x 80 Nashville 77 Calgary 75 Detroit 74 pressure on you. This way you can play bold and confident." Ellis, starting for just the fourth time in the last 13 games, had to be strong in the third period when Atlanta fired 15 shots at him.

One of his best saves came with just 1:50 remaining, when he stopped Pavol Kubina's shot from the slot, a save that had Kubina looking into the rafters in frustration. Ellis was helped by a Preds penalty kill that, despite beginning the game ranked 28th, turned away Atlanta's power play twice over the final 15 minutes. Reach John Glennon at 615-259-8262 or jglennoniatennessean.com. Dan Ellis turned away 30-of-31 shots, Nashville's power-play notched the game's first goal and the penalty kill stifled two third-period Atlanta power plays in front of an announced crowd of 11,106 at Philips Arena. Those contributions allowed the Predators to sweep the two-game season series and begin a four-game road swing on the right foot.

"You always want to win the first (game of a road trip) because you want to establish a little momentum and a little confidence," Ellis said. "Anytime you start with a loss, you're clawing from behind and that puts all the Preds start road trip by beating Thrashers By John Glennon THE TENNESSEAN ATLANTA Special teams and goaltending are two areas that have not always provided highlights for the Predators this season. But with the team in danger of falling out of playoff position because of two straight losses, Nashville's netminder and special-teams units came up with critical performances in a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Thrashers on Tuesday. Nashville's Colin Wilson converts an Atlanta turnover into a goal in a 2-1 victory. JOHN BAZEMORE ASSOCIATED PRESS UP NEXT 9:30 p.m.

Thursday at San Jose, Fox SN, 104.5-FM Offense builds SEC history Tennessean columnist Joe Biddle has covered SEC basketball for more than 35 years. He provides his list of Top 20 players since the SEC Tournament was revived in 1979. Biddle apologizes in advance to Kentucky fans that his first 15 players are not Wildcats. 1. Shaquille O'Neal, LSU: Most dominant physical specimen in SEC history.

SEC career leader in blocks (412), averaged more than five blocks a game in two seasons. Seventh in career rebounds Had six triple-double games. 2. Chris Jackson, LSU: Averaged 29.2 points in career. Offensive machine.

Had four 50-plus point games. Crowd pleaser with unlimited range. Most prolific offensive player since Pistol Pete Will Witherspoon, left, played for the Eagles last season. He signed a three-year contract with the Titans, mel evans ap Titans' defense adds a veteran ByJimWyatt THE TENNESSEAN Will Witherspoon isn't sure who'll surround him on the Titans' linebacker corps, but he knows he'll fit in. That's because in more ways than one, Witherspoon feels like he's in a familiar place after agreeing to a three-year, $11 million contract with the Titans on Tuesday.

It's a deal that includes $5 million in guarantees. "I definitely think there is a chance to thrive in this defense," Witherspoon said Tuesday night. "It is very similar to some things I have done in the past, and I am looking forward to making sure I can make an impact and bring some things to the forefront. I am excited and ready to do my part." Witherspoon, an eight-year veteran, played last season with the Eagles. He visited with Titans officials on Tuesday at Baptist Sports Park and said he felt an immediate chemistry with Coach Jeff Fisher.

Witherspoon began developing a relationship with Titans linebackers coach Dave McGinnis even before his first game in the NFL he was with him at the Senior Bowl, when he was a star linebacker out of Georgia. TITANS, 2C 3. Kyle Macy, Kentucky: Most complete point guard in SEC since 1979. A free-throw machine at end of games. Career 89.0 percent from the line.

UK won national title his junior year (1978). fi 4. Dominique Wilkins, Georgia: Human highlight film. Could jump out of the gym. Best player in Georgia history.

Never had much help around him, although Georgia went to the Final Four the year after he left for the NBA. 5. Chuck Person, Auburn: A pure stroke from as far out as out of bounds lines allowed. The Rifleman had an accurate jump shot and had the size and strength to get it off. Deadly from the corners.

SEE THE REST OF THE TOP 20 AND SEC TEAM CAPSULES, ON 4C Titans mostly watch others during free agency In general, you must give the Titans credit for recognizing when it is time to cut ties with veteran players. Yes, they let Derrick Mason go in '05 and he has continued to put up nice numbers in Baltimore, but the Titans usually get this right. For every Mason, there are a dozen Drew Bennetts. And one year later, it appears the Titans made the right move with Albert Haynesworth. His first season in Washington was pretty forgettable.

Meanwhile, we wait for the Titans to take the plunge into the free agency pool. So far, there's hardly a ripple. David Climer's columns appear on Wednesday, Friday, Sunday and Monday. Reach him at 615-259-8020 or dclimeriatennessean.com. Even with the signing of Witherspoon, it's not a major upgrade for a defense that ranked 28th in the NFL last season.

A healthy Witherspoon compares favorably with a pre-injury Keith Bulluck. In other words, the talent level at linebacker remains status quo. Too, the loss of pass rusher Kyle Vanden Bosch must be addressed, probably in the draft. Fortunately, defensive end is one of the deepest positions in the draft this year. Will the Titans miss KVB? Absolutely.

He was a great presence in the locker room and a relentless player on the field. Just the same, he was starting to show some wear and tear at age 31. Judging from what happened last season, I doubt he has any more double-digit sack seasons in him. I'll say this for the Titans: They sure do believe in their system. That's the only explanation I can find for the team's lukewarm entry into the free-agent marketplace.

Judging from the Titans' general lack of movement, the team's higher-ups must figure they're pretty good as is. I guess 8-8 suits them just fine. You wouldn't want to venture too far out of your comfort zone, right? I know you can't buy a Super Bowl berth, whether it is with huge contracts for your current players or break-the-bank offers for big-ticket free agents. If throwing money at the problem were the answer, the Redskins and Cowboys would be playing in the NFC Championship game every year. The Titans? They're trying to get Alge Crumpler to re-up.

We knew the Titans weren't going to be major players in free agency. In recent years, their most productive free agent signees have been guys that flew under the radar Chris Hope, Kevin Mawae, Justin Gage, Jake Scott. This is a far cry from the spending spree in Chicago where the perfect storm of an uncapped year and a win-or-else edict for Coach Lovie Smith has resulted in the signings of Julius Peppers and Chester Taylor. Yes, the Titans have agreed to terms with linebacker Will Witherspoon, late of the Eagles, and there are a few complementary players in their sights, but the Titans aren't making many waves. Still, you have to keep an eye on the competition.

Others in the AFC South have protected their flanks. The Colts re-signed linebacker Gary Brack-ett. The Jaguars threw big money at defensive end Aaron Kampman. The Texans kept wide receiver Kevin Walter aboard after a 53-catch season. SPORTS EDITOR LARRY TAFT, 259-8352, LTAFTTENNESSEAN.COM SPORTS ANNOUNCEMENTS TNSPORTSTENNESSEAN.COM REPORT NEWS 259-8010 OR FAX 259-8826.