Paul Worrilow Ready To Elevate His Game For Falcons

[theProf]

Paul Worrilow ready to elevate his game for Falcons

Vaughn McClure, ESPN Atlanta Falcons reporter

The Atlanta Falcons started their offseason workout program Monday, because they have a new coach in Dan Quinn.

For Paul Worrilow, offseason workouts started as soon as the 2014 season concluded.

The former undrafted linebacker from Delaware has been known for his work ethic from the moment he stepped in the building. That hasn't stopped Worrilow from putting forth even more effort to prepare for the 2015 campaign.

One of the biggest changes in Worrilow's workout routine? A lot more yoga.

"A great deal of time has been spent with yoga and stretching, stuff like that," Worrilow said. "I've never really done yoga consistently. I've done it at times throughout my football career. But this year, it's been kind of a everyday thing, or at least five days a week.

"Some days, I'll do it for an hour. The program I follow, it's just about relaxing in different positions and allowing your body to move naturally to increase your range of motion. And you'll last longer."

There has been another noticeable change for Worrilow. His desire to improve mobility has made him more drill-oriented rather than consumed with building his physique.

"The drills that I'm working on are focused on me playing low," he said. "If I had to compare this offseason to last offseason, I'd look at it and say I'm spending a lot more time doing things on the field where last year, I was a little more weight room-oriented."

Worrilow hopes is all translates to more success in the middle of Quinn's defensive scheme. Although he has led the Falcons in tackles each of the past two seasons (142 last season, 127 in 2013), some still question Worrilow's abilities, at times.

"I don't read that stuff," Worrilow said. "You've got to worry about yourself. I mean, nobody puts more pressure on me than myself, and that's a constant day in and day out. I feel the pressure to improve and be the best that I can be for myself and for my family."

Several conversations with Quinn have only helped increase Worrilow's confidence about his role.

"I've run into him a couple times and he emphasized to me to have the best offseason I've ever had," Worrilow said. "I think it's about just improving on everything: tackling and everything. The fast and physical part, that fits my mentality very well."

Quinn talked about what he sees in Worrilow.

"I think the first thing that jumps out right off the bat when you watch the tape is that this guy has command of everything," Quinn said. "His football smarts, his intelligence, his grit, the work ethic, all those things. It's easy to see why he's made such a big impact on the team.

"And for us, where we play more 3 deep when we're playing more zone, those are the things where we can see him improve in his tackling. Going into the offseason, each player will have a couple of things they are already doing well and here's a couple of things we can improve on. And collectively, we'll all get better. But I can't wait to see what he can become."

There will be one other significant change for Worrilow this offseason. He is set to become a first-time father to a baby girl.

"I'm excited," Worrilow said. "It's always what I've thought about; having a family. I come from a good-sized family. I hope to have the same and to raise them right."

[Magic Man]

Looks like Quinn feels similar to some of us that don't see Worrilow as a waste of talent, nobody on the field as some of you geniuses do

[JBender]

Looks like Quinn feels similar to some of us that don't see Wor as a waste of talent, nobody on the field as solve of you geniuses do

I want to say something but I have no idea what! I tried to make sense of this and read it couple times but nothing. Filing under Hive Sop Dap!

[red falcon]

Looks like Quinn feels similar to some of us that don't see Wor as a waste of talent, nobody on the field as solve of you geniuses do

What do you expect him to say he sucks?? No coach would do that.

[Oldskooler]

What do you expect him to say he sucks?? No coach would do that.

Actually, Rich's dad, John McKay, would say that or worse.

[AtlantaFanatic]

I want to say something but I have no idea what! I tried to make sense of this and read it couple times but nothing. Filing under Hive Sop Dap!

Sarcastically call people geniuses, yet the sentence structure and grammar makes no sense.

[DarrellShropshire]

I think Stephone anthony is the next navorro bowman, but I just can't see us drafting a ILB early. Too many needs at CB, WR, and LG. CB is by far our biggest need outside of pass rush. Just go take a look at the CBs on the roster. Only 2 have real experience and talent.

[iQue]

Didn't we see a similar story last off season?

[Borat]

Good, because otherwise he's not gonna start

[TheeTKOBeatz]

I think Stephone anthony is the next navorro bowman, but I just can't see us drafting a ILB early. Too many needs at CB, WR, and LG. CB is by far our biggest need outside of pass rush. Just go take a look at the CBs on the roster. Only 2 have real experience and talent.

The way I see it we need a 3rd and 5th CB so no sure that jumps out as early as Rd 2, whereas we need a #1 MLB, Worr is a good backup

[theProf]

Didn't we see a similar story last off season?

Last offseason, Worrilow focused on weight/strength training. This offseason, he is focusing on mobility/agility. There is no doubt that Worrilow is very dedicated to improving himself as a player. I don't think anyone on the Falcons works as hard as Worrilow during the offseason.

[iQue]

Last offseason, Worrilow focused on weight/strength training. This offseason, he is focusing on mobility/agility. There is no doubt that Worrilow is very dedicated to improving himself as a player. I don't think anyone on the Falcons works as hard as Worrilow during the offseason.

I agree there but sometimes it just doesn't translate to on the field for the player. We'll see if Quinn and Ulbrich draft a player or pick someone up after June 1st

[Oldskooler]

Last offseason, Worrilow focused on weight/strength training. This offseason, he is focusing on mobility/agility. There is no doubt that Worrilow is very dedicated to improving himself as a player. I don't think anyone on the Falcons works as hard as Worrilow during the offseason.

I applaud the effort, the heart, and the desire. I hope he proves me wrong, but I'm afraid that no matter how hard he works, he's hit the ceiling that his athletic ability allows.

[Drunken Minotaur Zebra]

Didn't we see a similar story last off season?

He was a weight room fiend last off season, and that was the story, this off season he is focusing on field drills and becoming more mobile, so no, its the exact opposite.

[Drunken Minotaur Zebra]

I applaud the effort, the heart, and the desire. I hope he proves me wrong, but I'm afraid that no matter how hard he works, he's hit the ceiling that his athletic ability allows.

Considering his measureables were > Von Millers... uh...

ok

[TheFatboi]

I've said this before about Wor. He's very good if he just attacks. Quinn's defense is an aggressive attacking defense so it's catered to his stenghths. He will have to drop back at times but he will not be asked to take deep drops like in the Tampa 2 style defense smith liked do thats another plus. He'll be asked to cover his area and maybe the flats which I believe he could do.

What I like about his workout is he's focusing on mobility, which to me is more key for him as a MLB. IF he continues to get big he'll just get stiffer. He's a Zach Thomas type LB and in the right system surrounded by the right players he'll be ok. He only sucked when he played on his heels reading and reacting. Played great when he pkayed downhill attacking.

[TheFatboi]

I applaud the effort, the heart, and the desire. I hope he proves me wrong, but I'm afraid that no matter how hard he works, he's hit the ceiling that his athletic ability allows.

He fits perfectly in an attacking style defense. He played great last year in games the defense was aggressive. Played bad in games they played read and react.

[SyCo]

I applaud the effort, the heart, and the desire. I hope he proves me wrong, but I'm afraid that no matter how hard he works, he's hit the ceiling that his athletic ability allows.

I don't think so. I think he's very athletic. Problem is he's been in an environment that hasn't helped him develop the mental side of things.

[Clark Kent™]

Last year Zack Kerr the DT from Delaware that everyone wanted, said in an interview when asked about Warrilow "Hardest working guy i have ever been around bar none". And Warrilow says his biggest "hobby" is Olympic Lifting.

I have zero doubts that he is going to put in the time to improve so i am really pulling for the guy.

[FalconFanSince1970]

I love this guy and am pulling for him, but he has been a liability in coverage and has struggled shedding blocks. Hopefully he can show an improvement during OTAs. I hope Dimi and Pioli have a back up plan in the draft or free agency in case he doesn't, or god forbid he has an injury. I firmly believe we can upgrade him:

Free Agents - Michael Wilhoite (RFA), Brandon Spikes

Draft Picks - Eric Kendricks, Bernardrick McKinney, Stephone Anthony, Denzel Perryman, Paul Dawson

[Cheyakita]

I think we are going to see alot of players we wrote off turn the corner this year. The sooner people quit comparing Smitty/Nolan scheme to what Quinn plans to do the better off you'll be.

[madman88]

Actually, Rich's dad, John McKay, would say that or worse.

dnt forget jim mora.. hes called out a coiple of players too smh lol

[madman88]

I think we are going to see alot of players we wrote off turn the corner this year. The sooner people quit comparing Smitty/Nolan scheme to what Quinn plans to do the better off you'll be.

a lot of players like who? Cause so far this so called talented defense has done nothing but look a lot different from last yr squad. Were actually adding talented players instead of drafting projects and over spending on misfit players (robinson,edwards).

Say what you will, but this defense already has more TALENT then any that nolan was given. FACT!!!

Ill go on the record right now and say moponga,my boy from clemson (name escaped me) and any other projects that TD has drafted wnt make an impact and will be gone by nxt yr..

[falconidae]

a lot of players like who? Cause so far this so called talented defense has done nothing but look a lot different from last yr squad. Were actually adding talented players instead of drafting projects and over spending on misfit players (robinson,edwards).

Say what you will, but this defense already has more TALENT then any that nolan was given. FACT!!!

Ill go on the record right now and say moponga,my boy from clemson (name escaped me) and any other projects that TD has drafted wnt make an impact and will be gone by nxt yr..

Worrilow, Shembo, Southward, Hageman, Alford, Maponga, Goodman, ishmael, Bartu, Smith, Starr, Spruill.

[rollo lawson]

Not a big Worrilow fan. But I am man enough to say, at least the guy recognized his deficiencies and is willing to work on them. I, like many others, said the guy played stiff and didn't have loose hips, and his change of direction ability was terrible. After bulking up over the last off season, he got even stiffer. Even Paul knows he must get better. Good for him.

Edited April 6, 2015 by rollo lawson