/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30165961/131660590.0.jpg)
The Titans new defensive coordinator Ray Horton has had quite a few outstanding players on his defense, that he was (in large part) responsible for coaching up. Obviously as someone with DB roots, players like Patrick Peterson and Joe Haden stand out, although Adrian Wilson and Kerry Rhodes shined in Horton's system as well. However some of the greatest successes came from the DL.
Both Darnell Dockett and Dan Williams have been very good players in the league after receiving some great coaching from Ray Horton. One player stands out as the best defensive player to be coached by Ray Horton: Calais Campbell.
Campbell was drafted out of Miami in the second round, and was a decent, but mediocre player in his first two years in the NFL. After showing promise in 2010, Campbell jumped into Ray Horton's system and blew up. Since then Campbell has been one of the premier defensive linemen in the league, and it all started with that coaching from Horton.
This leads me to think that if someone had similar measurements and ability, Horton could replicate that success with another player. Enter Ropati Pitoitua.
RoPo and Campbell are both 6'8", 300 lbs., and both are around 28 years old. Both use their strength and length effectively, but both struggle with pad level. Pitoitua took strides under Gregg Williams in 2013 showing that with proper coaching he can be a very good player. Ray Horton and company seem to like him after giving him a 3-year contract earlier this offseason, and Pitoitua seems to be a solid fit in the new scheme.
Can he be the Tennessee Titans version on Calais Campbell? Only time will tell, but it is something to keep an eye on as the offseason progresses.