Should Tennessee Titans Look At Jason Worilds In Free Agency?
By Les Bailey
After putting the franchise tag on him for the 2014 season, The Pittsburgh Steelers will let 26 year-old Defensive End, Jason Worilds test the free agent market this year before attempting to re-sign him for the the 2015 NFL season.
In a league where almost everyone is trying to upgrade their defense in 2015, it all boils down to money.
The six foot two, 262 pound defensive lineman has played for five seasons in the Steel City, and most people are asking if he is worth the $9.754 million he made in 2014.
Worilds, who was taken by the Steelers in the second round with their pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, had 59 combined tackles last year, to go along with one forced fumble, and 7.5 sacks.
He played his collegiate football at Virginia Tech, and turns 27 on March 3rd.
Both Dick LeBeau, and Defensive Coordinator, Ray Horton worked with Jason Worilds in Pittsburgh , and it should be an instant plug-and-play situation if they decide to take a run at him in free agency.
Jason Worilds could be a target for LeBeau and Horton when the new season gets underway on March 10th and help with the pass rush in the relative new 3-4 defense the Tennessee Titans are now running.
An outside linebacker/defensive end, with pass rushing capabilities is only one of the areas the Titans need help with on the defensive side of the ball.
Last season they were ranked 27th in total defense and 31st against the run.
The problem here, is current Titan DE/OLB, Derrick Morgan has an almost identical record. In fact, a little better. The 26 year-old Morgan, out of Georgia Tech is 6 foot 3, 263 pounds, and had 63 combined tackles with two forced fumbles, and 6.5 sacks in 2014.
Morgan played pretty well in his first year in the new system, but is listed by the Titans as an unrestricted free agent. There is speculation the Titans first-round pick in 2010 will be re-signed before the deadline, and probably will be wearing Titan Blue when the season starts.
Paul Kahaarsky, at ESPN.com had this to say about this situation.
"Worilds had 7.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, an interception and a forced fumble in 2014. It wasn’t production that will help him match that salary going forward, but if he gets to market he’s a player the Titans certainly will discuss.He wouldn’t come in with a resume as an outright game changer. But he fits the system LeBeau, soon to join the Titans and head up their defense, will be running along with coordinator Ray Horton.Pro Football Focus, which gives us some context but is not a definitive rating service, lists Worilds tied for 11th among 3-4 outside linebackers last season. (Derrick Morgan was eighth,Kamerion Wimbley 44th among 46 players at the spot.)"
I’m not sure that Jason Worilds makes much sense for the Tennessee Titans this year. Why swap for something you already have on staff. The only issue is the experience factor he has by playing in LeBeau’s system for five years.
My take on this issue, is unless the Titans totally upgrade this position with either another free agent with better numbers, or are able to pick up a stud in the early rounds of the draft, let’s stay the course on Derrick Morgan. He deserves another year in Nashville.
Next: Can Dick LeBeau Turn The Tennessee Titans Defense Around?