Derrick Morgan Would Fit Young Free Agent Goal
March 9th, 2015
Titans free-agent-to-be starting defensive end Derrick Morgan just turned 26 and has 19 sacks over the last three years — three years in which he missed a total of just one game.
Ask an NFL general manager, and he’ll tell you that a young free agent who can rush the passer is always in demand.
Per the Tampa Bay Times, the Bucs are sniffing Morgan heavily today. He led the Titans in sacks last season with 6.5 in a 3-4 defense, and The Tennesseean reporter Jim Wyatt speculated Morgan could command $4 million per year.
The former ACC Defensive Player of the Year at Georgia Tech, and a Titans’ 2010 first-round pick, rushes from both sides of the defensive line.
Surely, the Bucs could use depth and talent when it comes to edge rushers. But Joe doesn’t see Morgan as a guy the team would peg to replace ghostly and ghastly Michael Johnson.
March 9th, 2015 at 2:17 pm
But for 4 mil a year wouldn’t it be wise to add him for depth and as a rotational player. I don’t know what 19 sacks from a de looks like so this is teasing me
March 9th, 2015 at 2:19 pm
I think Joe pegged this one. Morgan has some skill as a situational pass rusher, but is he an every down guy? Still, he’d be a nice addition.
March 9th, 2015 at 2:27 pm
Get him and sheard and I would be happy. Why not bring back CLAYBORN? Wouldn’t cost much and when healthy guy produces. ( yes I know when healthy).
March 9th, 2015 at 2:34 pm
i gotta be honest…im not excited by any of these DE’s were looking at. were almost better off seeing what the ghost can do and bringing back clayborne. Que the realist
March 9th, 2015 at 2:38 pm
Definitely worth a look. Were paper thin at DE and in no position to be picky.
March 9th, 2015 at 2:39 pm
find a gem. trade for someone. Do something. tired of brees and company tearing us up every year.
March 9th, 2015 at 2:55 pm
any news on lvd’s contract extension
March 9th, 2015 at 2:59 pm
Personally I think an average of 6 sacks a year is pretty good.
Isn’t that about what Michael Bennett averaged for us? Oops forgot, Michael’s history.
March 9th, 2015 at 3:03 pm
why would he want to play for a team that is 2-14
March 9th, 2015 at 3:09 pm
isn’t it a lot harder as a DE in a 3-4 scheme to get sacks?
the age, and the money add up, but will the change in scheme match his skills?
March 9th, 2015 at 3:10 pm
Titans switched to a 3-4 last year.
March 9th, 2015 at 3:13 pm
Before last year they ran a 4-3. He has played in both schemes so the change wouldn’t affect him and he would probably welcome it.
March 9th, 2015 at 3:14 pm
sign clayborn…johnson was injured – give the guy a break…gholston here too…use the draft for additions…focus in free agency should be 2 ! stud offensive lineman…
March 9th, 2015 at 3:26 pm
Repost
June 2nd, 2014
(Trade for LDE Derrick Morgan)
(Source):The Nashville Tennessean expects Derrick Morgan to play outside linebacker in DC Ray Horton’s 3-4 defense.
Despite the fact Ken Whisenhunt-singled out LDE Derrick Morgan (when he took over the Titans) as a player on defense-that impressed him. (DC) Ray Horton primarily runs a 3-4 defense. Switching LDE Derrick Morgan -to outside ‘backer -A position Morgan has never played, and may be ill-suited for.
Contract Details (1yr remaining)
• (2014) $3,541,668
(Comparable) Seattle
• Traded DE Darryl Tapp to Philadelphia for DE Chris Clemons and a 2010 fourth-round draft pick. Clemons had been an NFL journeyman for 6 (yrs)-playing for 3 teams (Washington,Oakland, and Philadelphia)-with a combined 62 tackles, and 20 sacks-before he joined Seattle.
*Michael Johnson’s for Georgia Tech teammate (Derrick Morgan) has a combined 128 tackles, and 16.5 sacks over 4yrs.
LDE Derrick Morgan (2013) 34 tackles and six sacks in 14 starts. Pro Football Focus graded him as a top-six pass rusher among 4-3 ends.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-fantasy/0ap2000000253335/Titans-defense-4th-down-failed
March 9th, 2015 at 3:28 pm
One problem! Morgan said on Snapchat that he was going to Carolina!
March 9th, 2015 at 3:29 pm
*Michael Johnson’s former Georgia Tech teammate
March 9th, 2015 at 3:39 pm
He has a meeting with them. I don’t think he has declared that is his team.
The Tampa Bay Times’ Greg Auman reports the Bucs are “involved with” free agent DE Derrick Morgan.
It’s the first team connected to Morgan. The 26-year-old has experience in both the 4-3 and 3-4, but projects as a better fit for a 4-3 team like Tampa. The Bucs are in need of pass rushers after Michael Johnson flopped as a 2014 free-agent signing. Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers are free agents. Mar 9 – 12:47 PM
Source: Greg Auman on Twitter
March 9th, 2015 at 3:59 pm
Am I the only one that literally could not care and less about sack numbers. I’d rather see consistent pressure. Cough mccoy cough. I can’t sit here and spew out incorrect garbage but all I want is the most consistent rusher. The guy who will cause bad throws and collapse pockets. Whether it’s sheard Hardy or morgan
March 9th, 2015 at 4:02 pm
The price seems to fit the production – so why not bring Morgan in and see what he’s got. His defacto nickname would of course be “Captain”
I think it would be foolish to not re-sign Clayborn to an incentive for production heavy 2 year deal.
March 9th, 2015 at 4:11 pm
The average DE can get u two to six sacks a year. Why do we continue to go after average players and not pursue elite playmakers. We begin every year by signing these average players as if they are the crème of the crop then come time to may a play in critical games, we turn to cartoonist Casper the Ghost. Morgan has the same number of sacks over the last three years as Michael Johnson, so what’s his competitive advantage? .5 sacks more then MJ? The proof of consistent playmakers can be pound in the pudding of players such as Jason Pierre-Paul, Greg Hardy. If we’re going to have a chance to slow down the likes of Brees, Newton, or Ryan, then pay now, or cry n pay later.
March 9th, 2015 at 5:11 pm
Just bring in about 15 DE’s hoping to find at least 2.
March 9th, 2015 at 5:37 pm
FA is dry….they need to hit a home run in this draft…Down here in Tampa it is believed to be impossible to have rookie contributors but good teams do it year in year out. Hopefully Herron comes out strong in training camp for our slot /return position.
March 9th, 2015 at 5:50 pm
There are no elite DEs in FA dmatt.
According to most NFL people at this time last year; we got the best DE in free agency in Michael Johnson.
His sacks were down in 2013 but he had a ton of pass disruptions. I honestly was extremely suprised by how bad he played given the numbers and disruption he had at Cincy but am hoping it is mostly due to injury.
Anthony Collins was less of a surprise since he had limited playing time as a starter coming in; but he was also stellar in that limited time. He was a safer LT projection than any lineman in the draft since there was actual NFL tape on him.
People are so critical of the GM/coach and act like they can’t evaluate talent at all; but when these moves were made I don’t remember a bunch of uproar from the fans. I don’t recall anyone ever having a better plan. People just like to complain.
The only move that made me mad was letting Zutah go to the Ravens. I felt like $4 million+ for a guy who can start and play well at C or G was more than worth it.
I didn’t even mind McCown that bad. His stretch of games in Chicago was better than anything Glennon has ever put together. I also was just down on Glennon and hoping that signing McCown meant we’d draft a QB lol
March 9th, 2015 at 5:59 pm
I think the Panthers already have a Captain Morgan. At least how you say it after a few “I’m drikin Captain Munnerlyn”.
March 9th, 2015 at 6:49 pm
I was excited about michael johnson but cautious. I personally don’t think signing players that average under 10 sacks WITH supporting blitzes helping them all of a sudden get 12 sacks. We send less guys on blitzes outside of the front 4 or front 3 than anyone in the league. Lovies d mostly relies on 4 man rushes. Michael Johnson and Morgan(2 undersized cover 2 d-ends) will cut it in the NFC
March 9th, 2015 at 7:49 pm
I agree with everyone that says bring Clayborn back. Ok, I get he has been injured, but when healthy, he is solid with an excellent motor. I say still add Cole and take a run at Harvey!
March 9th, 2015 at 9:31 pm
Morgan is no worse than Bennett was while here.
If LICHT can negotiate a decent contract based on production, why not? Keep Johnson and play them on opposite sides.
I personally was not in favor of getting Johnson, but what’s done is done and we’re stuck with him for one more year at least. May as well hope he can do well. Get pressure opposite him and he might.
March 9th, 2015 at 9:32 pm
Clayborn is a good player, but he has not had a complete season in years, and that makes him a bad investment.
March 9th, 2015 at 9:45 pm
Resign Clayborne and get hardy. Develop Gohlston n smith then DE is good.