Worrilow Must Start At MLB
By Jake Bennett
Nov 10, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is pushed out of bounds by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Paul Worrilow (55) during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Seahawks defeated the Falcons 33-10. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
This year of Falcons football is without a doubt something to forget, but some things this season will be looked back on as the beginning of a pleasant surprise. This year’s surprise came in the small package of an 6’1″ Linebacker out of Delaware. Twenty-three year old Paul Worrilow has became quite the force in Atlanta; breaking Falcons records the last two weeks with back to back jaw-dropping performances.
Worrilow , who was signed by Atlanta as an undrafted free agent, has gotten the most out of his limited playing time. Worrilow led the Falcons in tackles during the preseason with 26, but didn’t see extensive playing time until Week 5 against NYJ. He then followed that up with performances of 4 and 6 tackles against Tampa and Arizona; but it would not be for another week that he would blow up. In games against Carolina and Seattle, Paul entered Falcons record books with 19 tackles in consecutive weeks. While this may show a lack of rush defense on the front 4, 19 tackles is an impressive stat regardless of how other players are executing.
Someone who can really detect the ball carrier as well as Worrilow is one of the most important factors in having a dominant defense, and you can see that in San Francisco, Seattle, and Houston. With that being said, Worrilow is currently filling in at Weak Side Linebacker for the returning Sean Weatherspoon, but he is way too good to be sitting on the bench and must be moved to MLB. Atlanta has lacked a disruptive force at MLB since we lost Curtis Lofton to New Orleans via free agency. Akeem Dent has been a solid player in his role on the defense, but with Worrilow starting, we finally have that heat-seeking LB we have lacked for years. With Spoon, Worrilow, and Bartu all all on the field, we have a talented young group of Linebackers that gives us the best chance to win. Now we must address the line itself, and we may have that physical defense Atlanta fans have been dreaming of since the Gritz Blitz.