Harper had Lasik surgery last month to correct his vision. He played all last season without the contacts that were prescribed for him, and he paid for it.

"I can tell a big, big difference. It's like night and day. I couldn't believe I was that blind,'' Harper said with a smile. "Now I should be able to catch some of those balls I dropped. That might've cost me going to the Pro Bowl. I think I dropped seven interceptions last year.''

In 2009, the oldest member of the defense is out to prove to everyone he still has plenty left in the tank heading into his ninth NFL season, despite feeling like so many have written him off.

Don't count the three Pro Bowl players surrounding Harper in the secondary among the skeptics, however.

"We actually call him Benjamin Button,'' safety Chris Hope said of Harper, who'll turn 35 on Sept. 10, the day the Titans open the regular season at Pittsburgh. "The older he gets, the younger he looks.

"Nick is still playing at a high level. He can still run, he can still tackle, he is still physical and his experience is awesome. I think he still can play, and the more people talk that he is old, it's more motivation for him.''

Harper, set to begin his third season with the Titans after spending his first six with the rival Colts, was slowed by a foot injury last season and missed three games. And this offseason, he had abdominal surgery.

In'08, he finished with 80 tackles and two interceptions. His 17 passes defensed ranked second on the team.

Read More: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090602/SPORTS01/906020354/Titan+sharpens+focus+after+eye+surgery