Tennessee Titans Brian Orakpo Signing A Risky Move

On Friday the Tennessee Titans signed free agent linebacker Brian Orakpo. Per Brian Dogra of Relativity Sports, Orakpo agreed to a four-year, $32 million deal that includes $13.5 million in guaranteed money.

In six seasons with the Washington Redskins, Orakpo posted 40 sacks, 69 tackles and 17 passes defensed. He also returned one interception for a touchdown. The signing of Orakpo certainly fills an important need for the Titans. As Paul Kuharsky of ESPN notes, the edge rushing combination of Orakpo and Derrick Morgan will provide a spark for a lackluster defense.

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A spark that is conditional on Brian Orakpo’s health.

Kuharsky noted, “When healthy, he’s a dynamic player with a big personality that can be contagious.” That “when healthy” clause was a huge issue for Orakpo’s former team.

The Redskins have had a lot to talk about in the off season, but little of the conversation surrounded re-signing the linebacker. All appearances suggest that the team was done with him. If the team finishing last in the NFC East in both of the last two seasons is done with you, that’s a pretty big red flag.

The fact that the Redskins used the franchise tag on Orakpo in 2014 but were willing to let him walk in 2015 says a lot about that organization’s belief in his long-term health.

Quarterback Robert Griffin III not withstanding, Brian Orakpo represented the face of the franchise for the entirety of his tenure in Washington. The Redskins defense was hardly stellar without him – this is not a question of them having younger, better options and not wanting to pay the market price. This was about the loss of confidence in Orakpo to see the field for a full 16 games at star player price.

The injuries have definitively taken their toll. 70% of his sacks came in his first three seasons. If Orakpo isn’t generating sacks, he’s not really bringing much else. As ESPN noted, “One knock on him has been a lack of game-changing plays: Orakpo has forced just six fumbles and intercepted one pass in his career.”

Of course, the pairing with Morgan does generate a threat that will benefit both players. When Brian Orakpo was paired with Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan in 2013, he recorded the second double digit sack total of his career.

Nov 17, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker Derrick Morgan (91) is introduced before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at LP Field. The Steelers beat the Titans 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Morgan has been a durable player for the Titans. Since suffering a rookie season ACL injury, he hasn’t missed any games.

Orakpo’s injury is especially concerning because it’s the same injury each time. All the way back in 2012, Dan Daly of the Washington Times noted concern over Orakpo’s longevity after his second pectoral injury.

“One torn pec is bad luck. Two torn pecs are cause for alarm, especially when they belong to your best pass rusher and top all-around defender.”

Orakpo’s now up to three torn pectoral muscles, after missing 9 games of the 2014 season with his third tear. A pectoral tear is no joke. In many ways, it’s one of the hardest injuries to recover from.

Daly quoted Rob Jackson, Orakpo’s backup in 2012, on the injury:

“Every single snap you’re punching, using your arm, using your biceps, your triceps, your shoulders, your chest. So once you get an injury like that, it’s kinda hard to get rid of. You just need a lot of time off to make sure it’s healed 100 percent.”

Orakpo has had more than six months to recover from the latest injury. That doesn’t make this signing any less risky. Let’s hope he’s healthy for Tennessee this year. The Titans will need peak performance from their defense to challenge the Indianapolis Colts for AFC South supremacy.

Next: Titans Evaluating Options for No. 2 Overall Pick

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