Tennessee Titans: The Edge Rush Dilemma
By Matt Ward
Sept. 22, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa (94) and linebacker Anthony Barr (11) sack Oregon State Beavers quarterback Sean Mannion (4) and force a fumble in the third quarter of the game at the Rose Bowl. Oregon State won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
Anthony Barr is another option the Titans will consider if they are going to pick an edge-rusher in the first round
. A converted running back, Barr has great speed to go with his size. He stands in at 6’4”, 248 lbs, and he notched 10 sacks and 22 tackles for loss for the 2013 Bruins. With only two seasons at linebacker, some say that Barr lacks instincts and pass-rush moves to get consistent pressure on the quarterback at the NFL level.
You can’t teach size and speed, but if the Titans believe they can teach instincts and moves, they will go all in on Barr. They have an inside source on this young man’s potential as they hired Lou Spanos to be the linebackers coach. He was formerly the defensive coordinator for the UCLA Bruins, so he should know Barr well and have a good gauge on his ability to compete at the next level.