NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Derrick Morgan watched one of his interviews from the 2010 NFL Combine earlier this offseason, and it took him down memory lane.
Among the topics he discussed: Jared Allen, who was terrorizing quarterbacks at the time.
"I said I emulated my game off of him," Morgan said of Allen.
So it was quite a thrill for Morgan when he received some tips from the 12-year pro. Allen, who moved to Nashville last year, spent some time with the Titans earlier this offseason. He gave some of the team's pass rushers some advice heading into the 2018 season.
"He moved to the area and wanted to talk pass rush, so why not from one of the all-time greats?," Morgan said of Allen. "We looked at some film from last year, and he was able to break down things and critique different techniques. I learned a lot from him in 60 minutes."
Allen racked up 136 career sacks while playing defensive end from 2004-2015 with the Chiefs, Vikings, Bears and Panthers. He was named to five Pro Bowls, and named All-Pro four seasons. He led the NFL in sacks in 2007 and 2011. He recorded a whopping 22 sacks in 2011.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel said Allen reached out wanting to help earlier this offseason, and he spent some time with the team.
"Anything we can get around our players that can help us, great," Vrabel said. "Having an idea of things he could do to help our team and to help our players, we were able to get him out here and work with some guys in the Phase 2 program where a lot of that is individual drills and position specific development.
"The more he can be around here and working with one or two guys, I think that is key, trying to do things to help our players improve."
Morgan, who led the Titans with 7.5 sacks last season and has 44 sacks in his eight-year career, said the experience helped him for sure.
Morgan said he's gained some valuable instruction this offseason as he heads into Year 9. Along with Vrabel, defensive coordinator Dean Pees has spent time with the team's linebackers, and new outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen has been hands-on and full of solid advice as well, Morgan said.
"We have so many good coaches," Morgan said. "Vrabel comes over there, coach Pees comes over there, and coach Shane Bowen. So it is good. Everybody is interacting, and everybody is engaging and it is going to pay dividends.
"And to spend time (with Allen), it is such a blessing. Just having another perspective is vital, and I think that says a lot about our coaching staff. It doesn't feel like there are any egos. If you can come in and help us, by all means come in and help us. And that's a great thing. Everybody wants to win, and whatever means necessary."
