Tennessee Titans Positional Review: DE

Discussion in 'Tennessee Titans and NFL Talk' started by TitanJeff, Mar 3, 2014.

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  1. TitanJeff

    TitanJeff Kahuna Grande Staff

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    This is the fourth in a series looking at each position.

    Derrick Morgan
    2013 Stats: 34 Comb, 28 Total, 1 FF, 1 FR, 6.0 Sacks.

    Contract Status: Base of $2.06M. Cap number of $3.54M. Would save $818,330 if released. He's played enough to void his option year in 2015.

    2013 Analysis: The best DE on the roster, Morgan was on the field for 75% of the defensive plays last season due to a shoulder injury which limited him in the Cardinals and Seahawks games and caused him to miss the Niners entirely. Though his sack numbers are far from gaudy, he once again had a solid season in hurrying the passer. According to SportingCharts.com, he ranked 9th in the league in QB hurries with 15. He did this playing one game less than Willie Young and Justin Tuck who also had 15 hurries.

    2014 Outlook: It's time to for the front office to make a decision on whether or not they want to try and extend Morgan. With Horton's scheme being installed this offseason, it'll be interesting to see how it impacts Morgan's performance in turning a few of his hurries into sacks. No doubt a big sack season goes a long way to pushing up his numbers for his next contract.


    Kamerion Wimbley
    2013 Stats: 11 Comb, 8 Total, 0 FF, 0 FR, 3.0 Sacks.

    Contract Status: Wimbley enters the third season of a five-year, $35M contract. His base is $6M with a total cap hit of $7.8M. Releasing him will save $2.4M.

    2013 Analysis: With a disappointing first season as a Titan, the hope was Gregg Williams would catch lightning in a bottle and get some solid production out of Wimbley. But both his playing time and production declined as he couldn't stand up against the run and a disappointment rushing the passer. The move for Wimbley from OLB (where he played in Cleveland and Oakland) to DE simply was a failure.

    2014 Outlook: Under Horton's scheme, Wimbley might make sense back at OLB but I personally don't see it happening. He's too expensive and hasn't shown enough to warrant the opportunity.


    Ropati Pitoitua
    2013 Stats: 44 Comb, 34 Total, 0 FF, 0 FR, 4.0 Sacks.

    Contract Status: UFA. He cost the Titans $1M last season.

    2013 Analysis: Brought in to add some size to the DE position, Pitoitua had a solid start to the season before dropping back in production the second half. No doubt he was a value who out-performed his contact.

    2014 Outlook: He's a free agent who may be brought back if Horton sees him in a situational role but it's hard to imagine the Titans not looking upgrade him in pass-rushing situations.

    Update: Pitoitua was signed to a three-year deal by the Titans. Terms not disclosed yet. This gives Horton a prototype 3-4 DE on the roster heading into the draft.


    Karl Klug
    2013 Stats: 14 Comb, 8 Total, 2 FF, 1 FR, 2.0 Sacks.

    Contract Status: Entering the final season of his rookie contract, he will receive a $645,000 base with a total of $693,613 against the cap. Releasing him saves $645,000.

    2013 Analysis: Klug made the switch from DT to DE and ended up playing both in a limited role which couldn't have been an easy adjustment. He played in around 30% of the snaps last season as he didn't seem to fit in many situations the Titans defense faced so rarely saw the field.

    2014 Outlook: Klug probably goes exclusively to DE under Horton's 3-4 and likely will only be a situational player. The question becomes "how does Horton see Klug's role in the rotation?" He's a liability against the run and it would seem unlikely he'd be the best option in pass rushing situations which may mean Klug will have to beat out some competition to make the final roster.


    Lavar Edwards
    2013 Stats: 9 Comb, 5 Total, 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 Sacks.

    Contract Status: Enters the second year of a four-year deal. $495,000 base with $544,625 against the cap.

    2013 Analysis: Rookie Edwards was taken in the fifth round which was considered to be a value by many of the draft gurus. However, Edwards was inactive much of the season and saw action in only seven games. When given the opportunity, Edwards didn't flash though we have little to judge him.

    2014 Outlook: The scouting reports on him coming out of LSU is he had little experience because of the talent he played behind. I look forward to seeing how he benefitted from a full offseason of conditioning and if he can push for a bigger role next season.


    Others: Marcus Dixon was signed to a reserve/future's contract but is 29 which makes it hard to imagine he's any more than a long shot to make the '14 roster. Adewale Ojomo is a undrafted free agent signed by the Giants in '12 out of Miami who has bounced around from the Seahawks to Bills practice squads last season before landing on the Titans practice squad in December.


    Opinion: Morgan is the only starting-caliber DE on the Titans roster right now. Klug and Edwards are rotational players at best so DE has to be a position the Titans are looking to free agency and the draft to improve. There are some options in free agency and someone of the caliber of Lamarr Houston might be versatile for Horton's defense. In the upcoming draft, Notre Dame's Stephon Tuitt might be there in the second.

    If history is any indication, Horton likes some beef at the DE position. Last season, Horton used John Hughes and Ahtyba Rubin who are both 6'-2" and 320-plus making them both bigger than Jurrell Casey at 6'-1" and 305. Going back to 2012 at Arizona, Horton had Calais Campbell (6'-8", 300 lbs.) and Darnell Docket (6'-4", 290 lbs.).

    Thoughts?
     
  2. Scarecrow

    Scarecrow All-Pro

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    Just going to go ahead and get it started


    Morgan sucks
     
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  3. Brew City

    Brew City Case Race Champion

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    I like Morgan, but I'm not sure how he fits into this scheme. Undersized for an end, but maybe could perform as a strong side OLB. Hali who is much bigger seemed to make the transition very easily, so why not Morgan. Put Ayers on the weak side, draft Barr and rotate him in (hes raw and could a use a season to grow). If you like Barr let Morgan walk next off-season. Pitoitua is a must re sign to play end in 3-4 sets.
     
  4. titans92790

    titans92790 Starter

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    Get rid of Wimbley, look in the early rounds for a DE, of Horton's choosing. Would like to see LB in round 1, but wouldn't mind seeing a DE taken in the 2nd... Dee Ford (I hope). Horton might like beef, but speed over size at DE is sometimes what you need.
     
  5. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    You suck!
     
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  6. The Hammer

    The Hammer Ace Degenerate

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    I think Morgan could be better suited to the 3-4 that is coming. Just needs to bulk up some to be a good DE in the 3-4. Then move Sammy Watkins to DE and we are pretty good.
     
  7. The Hammer

    The Hammer Ace Degenerate

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    Need to go offense in the first two rounds. We can move things around and add an FA here and there to get what we need on defense.
     
  8. titans92790

    titans92790 Starter

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    Healthy Locker will provide enough offense.
     
  9. The Hammer

    The Hammer Ace Degenerate

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    Need something to put around him. New rb and rt.
     
  10. Fry

    Fry Welcome to the land of tomorrow!

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    I'm just not going to bother in this one.
     
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