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It is not a secret that I thought James Gayle was going to have a significant impact on this team over the next one or two years. However, a shoulder injury has forced the Titans to waive him and move on, at least for the time being.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Titans&src=hash">#Titans</a> agreed to terms with WR Rico Richardson and waive (injured) LB James Gayle.</p>— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulKuharskyNFL/statuses/477531890220814336">June 13, 2014</a></blockquote>
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In college, Gayle was a versatile edge player that brought a lot of value to a position filled with older players like Kamerion Wimbley and Shaun Phillips. Also, with Akeem Ayers apparently having surgery on both of his knees, I thought Gayle had a strong chance to prove he was worth a rotational job to ease the strain on number 56.
Unfortunately, the Titans will have to make due with what they have at the position for now and hope that they can stay healthy.
Now, it should also be said that the Titans didn't have a lot invested in Gayle as an UDFA (though an expensive one) and cutting him isn't like cutting a draft pick. Also, Gayle's injury and size may be a concern for Ray Horton and the defensive coaching staff, and they may have just felt like he wasn't a fit. I am just concerned the Titans are making another LeGarrette Blount/Jack Doyle type decision where they let a talented role player go.