Because of surgery in September and breakout performances by rookie linebackers Deion Jones and De’Vondre Campbell, Paul Worrilow lost his starting position as the Falcons’ middle linebacker this season — but Worrilow’s spirit isn’t broken.
The Falcons’ leading tackler the past three seasons, Worrilow has taken part in some special-teams packages in addition to receiving snaps behind Jones and Campbell.
“Any action I can get on the field is exciting,” Worrilow said. “When you’re winning games, and everyone’s in here practicing hard, it’s just awesome.”
The fourth-year linebacker had held the starting middle linebacker position since he was an undrafted free agent out of the University of Delaware in 2013, but after a groin-related surgery in late September, Worrilow missed four games. Warrilow played in the Falcons’ first two games before surgery, and his first game back from surgery was the Falcons’ 33-30 overtime loss to the Chargers on Oct. 23.
While satisfied with his new roles, Worrilow proved why he was a three-year starter seasons in the Falcons’ most recent game, a win over the Buccaneers on Nov. 3. Worrilow recovered a fumble by Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston on the Falcons’ 39-yard line, and the offense kicked a 43-yard field goal on the ensuing drive.
“I feel better now that I have an a good long while,” Worrilow said. “It felt good to get back out there and affect the game. It’s always exciting.”
Defensive coordinator Richard Smith clarified that Worrilow’s role at middle linebacker is diminished because of the increased snaps for Jones and Campbell. Despite the demotion, Worrilow is still one of the first players to arrive at the Falcons’ facility in the mornings and the last one to leave.
“First of all, I think the world of Paul,” Smith said. “He’s not a guy that sticks his head between his legs and feels sorry for himself. He wants what’s best for the Falcons, and last week we got him in for a few plays and we’ll continue to do that and (substitute) some of those guys because those younger players are taking a lot of reps at that linebacker position, but I like the way he’s accepted his role.”
After adjusting to his new roles behind Jones and Campbell and on special teams, it’s clear to coaches and players that Worrilow taken on another — as a mentor.
Jones, a second-round pick out of LSU, is the starting signal caller on defense in his rookie season, something that resonates with Worrilow.
“It’s a big transition because when I went through it, I was the (middle linebacker) my rookie year calling the defense,” Worrilow said. “You get a lot thrown at you, so I’m kind of there with him. When people are on him, maybe bring them up a little bit with everybody’s telling him how good he is. Keep him kind of level because it’s hard as a rookie to kind of stay focused. Anything I can do for him I’m always jumping at the opportunity.”
In his three seasons starting at middle linebacker, Worrilow has 365 combined tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.
Freely acknowledging that Worrilow is a mentor to him, Jones said one of the more important lessons Worrilow has taught him this season is how to be appropriately emotional and how to be accountable on and off the field.
“He’s the best, man,” Jones said of Worrilow. “He’s been a mentor since I’ve been here and helped me out a lot. I try to stay in his hip pocket and pretty much do anything he does because he’s doing it right.”
Jones has 53 combined tackles, two interceptions, a touchdown and four deflected passes in his rookie season.
As the Falcons’ defense prepares to face quarterback Carson Wentz and the Eagles on Sunday, Worrilow will be in a familiar city. The Eagles’ Lincoln Financial Field is just 20-30 minutes away from his hometown of Wilmington, Del., which means “hundreds” of people he knows and grew up with will be at the game.
“My wife, we’re from the same neighborhood, so my parents are going to stay home and watch my daughter, but my wife will be there, her whole family, my brothers,” Worrilow said. “I’ll know hundreds of people there that just go to the games anyway, that was probably there weeks ago. So I know a lot of people there. … It’s all business. It’s all about the game without a doubt. That can all wait until after the season.”
