A Day in the Life of Transition-tagged Steelers OLB Jason Worilds

A day in the life of transition-tagged Steelers OLB Jason Worilds
By Neal Coolong
http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com...-steelers-2014

The Steelers gave Jason Worilds a significant one-year contract, daring him to prove a 44-tackle, seven-sack second half of 2013. He's working hard to prepare himself, according to a video released by Stack Sports.
Don't think Steelers OLB Jason Worilds is satisfied not having a contract beyond 2014.
The Steelers gave a $9.75 million transition tag designation to Worilds, who was scheduled to be a free agent in 2014, in order for him to prove the outstanding second half of the 2013 season he had.
It doesn't appear likely Worilds will get a contract extension heading into the season, but it's certainly possible the team gives him a long-term deal before or during training camp - something they've done in the past to multiple players.
Either way, Worilds is training in Atlanta with Chip Smith Performance Systems, engaging in several hours of workouts each day.
In the video, he mentions former Steelers defensive end Ziggy Hood having utilized this program previously, and while Hood's weight room heroics never quite translated to success on the field, something definitely clicked with Worilds last season. Seven of Worilds' team-leading eight sacks came over the team's final eight games - a stretch in which the Steelers won six, nearly qualifying for the postseason. He made 44 of his 63 tackles in that time as well.
The Steelers made a bold decision, releasing LaMarr Woodley and giving Worilds a guaranteed one-year deal for $9.75 million, tying up significant salary cap money in two players - one of which isn't on the team and neither are signed to the roster in 2015. Worilds will be one of the key storylines heading into this season, particularly since the Steelers didn't add any outside linebackers (or at least no pure outside linebackers) in the 2014 NFL Draft.
If he, and batterymate Jarvis Jones, are to be the keys to revitalizing a stagnant Steelers pass rush, it appears Worilds is going about it the right way. He'll be the unchallenged and unquestioned starter at left outside linebacker this season.
The workouts can only help him, but the results are going to have to show on the field.