Brian Orakpo, like Titans, ready for fresh start

The Titans as a whole have no interest in dwelling on last season.

Linebacker Brian Orakpo knows the feeling all too well.

Orakpo didn't share in the Titans' 2-14 misery last year, but he had his own share of difficulties in Washington — a sub-par start to his season and then a torn pectoral muscle that put him on injured reserve after just seven games.

So just like his new team, Orakpo is eager for a fresh start in 2015.

He's changed his workout regimen to help avoid the pectoral injuries that have led to three surgeries. He is excited about playing for a man he calls a living legend — Dick LeBeau — and he hopes to return to the level of play that helped him reach three Pro Bowls.

"These guys brought me in here to be a playmaker, and to not only continue the success I've had in the league, but to get better," Orakpo said Monday, when the Titans began their offseason program. "That's what I'm here for, to get better, to help this team get to where we want to be."

The Titans' signing of Orakpo in March to a four-year, approximately $32 million deal came with its share of risk.

He didn't produce his usual numbers through the first seven games of last season in Washington, totaling just half a sack.

"There was a lot of stuff I could have gotten better at — just the whole year was a wash," Orakpo said. "I don't remember game for game, but I was struggling with finishing the sack. I would be there but I just couldn't finish it."

Things bottomed out in Game 7 against the Titans, when Orakpo suffered a torn right pectoral muscle that put him on injured reserve. It was the third torn pectoral muscle of Orakpo's career, though the first two were on his left side.

"I changed some training, some particular regimens of mine," Orakpo said. "I kind of completely started from scratch this whole offseason. I'm not really so concerned with trying to be a body-builder or anything — just more flexibility, more core work and more mobility in the upper body. Flexibility was the number one thing I'm working on."

Assuming Orakpo stays healthy, the Titans could reap the benefits of an outside linebacker who's averaged almost 10 sacks in the four seasons he's played at least 15 games.

"He's a great pass rusher, and to see him on our team is a great addition," Titans defensive lineman Jurrell Casey said. "That's going to help a lot of guys on our D-line free up and get the one-on-one opportunities. When guys like him are doing more rushing on the edge, it puts a lot of pressure on quarterbacks."

Orakpo could be an instant — and tailor-made — fit for the Titans' 3-4 system, as he played under current Titans linebackers coach Lou Spanos and former Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett while in Washington. Spanos and Haslett learned under LeBeau, who is given credit for perfecting the 3-4 defense.

"When I knew (LeBeau) was on board, it made the transition a lot easier because I knew what he was all about," Orakpo said. "When I was in Washington, all I did was study Pittsburgh's stuff and what (LeBeau) brought to the table and how they ran their defense.

"I knew what (former Pittsburgh linebacker) James Harrison would do before James Harrison knew what he was going to do. That's how much I studied it."

As a result, Orakpo said he already feels comfortable talking X's and O's with the Titans coaching staff.

"Earlier this day when we were going over defenses, I knew it like the back of my hand," Orakpo said. "Obviously the terminology is a little different. But it's very, very similar as far as the way the 3-4 should be run."

The Titans are hoping Orakpo's familiarity with the scheme, as well as his improved health, will mean they see the Orakpo of 2009-11, when he piled up 28.5 sacks.

"We felt like he was a guy that was able to win pass-rush situations one-on-one when he's really been at the top of his game," Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "I know from having played against him, he was a tough guy to defend.

"You always had to make sure you dedicated a guy to him. So to have an opportunity to get him, and to feel good about addressing a position we feel is important, it was a good get for us."

Reach John Glennon at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @glennonsports.

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