This is the time of year when rumors and conjecture start to run rampant around the NFL, so it’s hard to decipher the ones that have some truth to them from the ones that are complete fantasy. With that being said, some media outlets are saying that the Eagles have expressed interest in Detroit Lions LB Stephen Tulloch.
Tulloch, a hard-nosed middle linebacker had a stellar season with the Lions last year, racking up 111 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 interceptions. He was instrumental in a defense that, while not statistically impressive (23rd in points allowed and 23rd in total yards allowed), did start to change the culture of the Lions into a team that will not back down from any opposition.
Prior to the 2011 campaign, Tulloch spent his first 5 professional seasons with the Tennessee Titans where he averaged 91 tackles a year, despite only starting 4 games in his first 2 seasons combined. One huge upside with Tulloch, as far as the Eagles are concerned, is the fact that he has spent his entire career playing in the wide 9 defensive scheme, first with the Titans and then last year in Detroit.
This would be a huge advantage for the Eagles to be able to bring in a productive veteran that is already intimately familiar with the system they use on defense, albeit not a very common one. Coming off of a 1 year contract which paid him $3.25 million, reports are that Tulloch is likely to seek a long term deal.
It’s no secret that the Eagles are in desperate need of help at the linebacker spot, which is a position that seems to have been undervalued, if not almost ignored, in recent years. The ability to bring in an individual with experience in the system could be invaluable to the entire defense, but especially to the young linebackers that are already on the roster and any that Philadelphia might bring in via the draft (Luke Kuechly?).
My guess is no
Nice write up. Would be a key cog in the middle for a 2-3 season span that would mos def improve the nastyness of the D. Guy made plays everytime i watched them this year and when he was with the Titans he was a stand-out.
Hearing a little about Mario Williams on here and elsewhere. Not feeling that pick-up. I think the d-ends are ok. Money should be spent on backers and Shady and #10’s deal.Draft right Howie.
A year too late…….but SIGN HIM NOW !! Stevo, can I get an Amen?!?!
No!!!….The potential of the LB’s that could be brought in from the draft trumps whatever some think Tulloch will bring to the Eagles. Also, No to slow, nonathletic, Kuechly. Might as well bring back Stewart Bradley…No Dammit!!!!
Disagree cliff.
Tulloch is a veteran MLB….Pro-Bowl MLB…who has experience playing behind our Wide 9 scheme. He is perfect for this team.
We can still draft a LB….but we will not make the same mistake as last year by putting a rookie MLB out there on a defense that was looking for leadership.
I disagree cliff.
@ My man Erock, Mario Williams, is younger, and has more talent that overrated Jason Babin. Do you imagine he will have the same production, as he did last year?…He played over his head. I would think seriously about trading him to some sucker who believed the hype, Especially if I can upgrade the position with Mario. Draft Whitney Mercilus, and Vinny Curry, and you have more youth, and athleticism for the future. It would be a smart move worth of consideration.
Paulman has gone back on the birds signing Tulloch… Youve been saying it for the past year haha, happy to see that you realized (like ive been saying for a year) that the eagles will not sign him nor want to sign him.. I feel that they already have a player like him on the team in Brian Rolle and Casey Matthews and in casey i feel will take a huge leap this year and will shock many people…
I wanted him last year……thought he would have been KEY to this wide 9 working for us……a year too late isn’t bad tho.
@JH…I like Rolle alot….but I believe his size can cause some mismatches covering tight ends ….he has more speed than an LB on our roster. I like him question how best to use him.
@ My #1 Greenfan, – Respect your opinion, but the money you would need to sign him would be unnecessary to spend, if you draft the right Lb’s. We need to draft 3 Linebackers in this years draft. I do agree we need a veteran, but one that’s not as costly as Tulloch; London Fletcher, (Pro Bowler with experience) that can start, and allow the MLB, of the future develop. After his playoff performance, where he was neutralized, and unimpressive. You can disagree my friend but there is more talent in the draft….any Wise GM knows, you build through the draft. Andy is not going to win a SuperBowl, so why chance another unnecessary cap hit.
I wanted him last year too as did the Eagles who had discussions with him but he signed a better deal with the Lions..I think they will target other younger LB’s with a bit more size who will not be as expensive as Tulloch who I beliver will actually re-sign with the Lions anyways..
To JH, to compare Tullock to Eagles ROlle/Matthews is assanine and not even in the same park.. I was all over Tulloch last year for the Eagles to pursue, but things change , and now or this Season I think the Eagles are targeting other younger LB’s in free-Agency and in the Draft
Courtney Upshaw, Vontaze Burfict, and Nigel Bradham in the draft, and London Fletcher in Free Agency.
Preach Paulman!! We are here brother. They do say great Football Minds think alike.
@ cliffy……if $ is the concern, and not sure that it is, I would be OK with your Fletcher mentor new draftee scenerio……Fletcher is a BEAST (however, an older Beast) would be a good pickup for a 1 year deal…I could see that working out, but we need veteran leadership from our MLB right now.
Carl Conrad…Why would the Birds sign Tulloch and then draft Kuechly? They are both MLBs and only MLBs. That was a dumb end to your article that made no sense. It was a good article though to that point.
Casey Matthews should be cut because he should never have been drafted…Andy was hoping he drafted a clone of his brother; Dumb Ass!!! I can’t wait for him to be fired. Please cut Casey.
Brian Rolle and Tulluch are very similar in stature and can both tackle very well, Rolle just lacks experience.. and matthews too will be a sure tackler in this league too.. But just because tulluch can tackle doesnt make him a perfect fit. There are other LBs that can tackle and can play with this wide9 scheme that will be available
Paulman…I agree with you that will go younger and cheaper. I am pretty convinced Dan Connor is the guy they will pursue. Carolina has no interest in re-signing him so you can get him without bidding too high. Larry Grant will be their second choice.
Go get him….getting a guy in the draft doesnt help this scheme right now asmuch as a system savy vet. Will he be a nice player and contribute if he’;s a quick study ,sure. But i dont see any other lb like Tully that can come in and help asap. I called him Tully.
Mario Williams would be sick. He’s All-Pro…has had some time to get over the injury but hes a complete d-end. We’ll see on that…i think theres teams more pass-rush hungry who may outbid.
I like the Eagles to add the following 3 Players to the middle of their Defense
DT- A) M Brockers (LSU) or B) Kendall Reyes (U Conn)
MLB- A) D Hightower (Bama) or B) Audi Cole (NC State)
OLB- A) B Wagner (Utah St) or B) Keenan Robinson (Texas)
SS- A) G Illoka(Boise State) or B) Harrison Smith (Notre Dame)
All these 4 Postions and Players would be selected in the 1st 4 Rounds
in which the Eagles have 6 Selections
John…Mathews will never be a good starting LB in the NFL. They need a SAM as much as they need a MIKE. There are good guys out there that can be had in the second round. I think the Eagles will draft Devon Still over any LB and may draft a WR if they can’t get Desean for a reasonable price. And I was just discussing it with a buddy of mine about the franchise tag. We are close to the cap righht now. You get rid of Assante and then turn around and franchise Desean. Guess what? You have not created the cap space you were looking for by getting rid of Assante. So you are still up against the cap. Look for the kid from Utah, Bobby Wagner in the second round to play SAM. He’s a clean cut nice young man that the Eagles like. I like him too. He seems smart and talented. We just need someone steady and savvy.
I don’t see the Eagles as landing spot for top FA this year. Too much uncertainty with the coaching staff goin forward. Would you sign here knowing Andy could be gone after this season?
Erock….I would cut Trent Cole and sign Williams in a heartbeat. Next year is the last on Trent’s deal and you know his agent will never get what he wants from the Ealges for a 30+ guy.
gran beagle….Why not sign here? Either Andy stays or they get Gruden. Either way you can’t lose.
I like that move…Trents been a beast but Mario would upgrade with youth and he is a beast against the run. Your angle is correct.
Dan Conner is a bum, that gets hurt every other year whats exciting about that. You always hear that from the Penn State homers. Stop it………
@ my favorite Greenfan – A one year deal is all you would need, whatever veteran is brought in, is not going to start after this year anyway, because they are going to have to draft a MLB, IF THEIR SMART brother. So, I would be ok with Fletcher.
jbird– I agree with you about the Devon Still pick at 15 if hes still there for i mentioned that a few weeks ago.. But the other name thrown in is Mario Williams who will hit the market. If they can sign him, do they still draft Devon Still? Keep in mind that it was reported that the eagles made a run at Julius Peppers but they could not get him and he signed with the Bears… they may infact make a similar run at Williams and i think he would come to philly.
If you sign Williams, you have to consider trade offers for either Trent, or Babin. I would trade Babin, while his so-called value is high. We could get a low-mid first rounder – high second rounder, and a pick for next year, Smart!!!
gmcliff…I thought I remmebered Connor being a guy that gets hurt. Thanks for refreshing me. They will definitely sign him then.
gmcliff…Cole is regraded as the better overall player. Babin really shouldn’t even start. Plus no one wants all that money left on the contract of a guy that is so old. Cole only has 2012 left on his deal and would never get re-signd here so might as well trade him because you can get more.
gmcliff…Don’t even know why I suggest the Eagles do any bold or creative moves like upgrading the D line. They love Cole. He is the epitomy of their defense. Can’t lead and can’t finish. He is not tough or nasty and lacks the intangibles you like in a DE.
gmcliff– I agree with you about trading Babin while he still has value if they can get Super Mario, but what if they cant get a deal for babin? Id keep all 3 and theyd have 3 pure pass rushers on that line, similar to what the giants have with Osi,Tuck,Pierre and if you want to throw in Kiwanuka you can so thats 4 so you cant put a limit of pass rushers, you need as many as you can get…
@ JBird – Thats right brother, like I said, you have to consider trade offers for either Trent, or Babin. I said, I would trade Babin, while his so-called value is high. Owners may look at his production and start salivating. But, we could get a low-mid first rounder – high second rounder, and a pick for next year for either one.
Granbeagle.. any guy on the defensive line would love to play in this wide9 scheme, put your head down and just rush the QB, thats a dream for them. And we saw last year and previous years guys do want to play for the eagles.. Plaxico comes out and admits he wants to be an eagle and im almost positive other guys feel the same way but wont say it bc they dont want it to affect there potential deals…
@ John Hart – Thats right Brother if you can’t gey a deal for Babin, you keep him in the rotation with Philip Hunt, and Brandon Graham . But, you would have to trade Trent; You can only pay your starting DE’s major money. But we would be able to enhance what we can get from the draft. Mercilus,and Curry would bring you more speed ,and ATHLETICISM TO YOUR ROTATION, which would allow our draft picks to develop gradually with no pressure to produce.
gmcliff…I think GMs see through Babin. He can’t produce outside the Wide Nine and he can’t play the run. Personally I would start Jenkins at LDE and only bring Babin in for my nickel package but I’m not as smart as Juan. I mean why have a three hundred pund DE on the strong side when you can play a guy over there just because he is making a lot of money that can’t stop the run? I make no sense. Also Soft Trent is two years younger.
Bottom line is Mario is a beast. We do not have a beast on this defense. Imagine if you drafted Devon Still, traded Cole and signed Super Mario! NY who?
All this LB talk. I think they really like Chaney. And you know what happens when they like someone? They stick with him. There will be one new starter next year because the SAM is in even worse shape than MIKE. So I’m thinking second round. Wagner seems like a good fit. Safe pick. Nice young black man with not a trace of hood in him. That’s what they like.
I like the kid from Texas myself. He looks mean! Like a Raven or a Steeler. Robinson. And he’s big too. Imagine that???
Eagles won’t draft a LB in first round. There is no first round value. Kuechly has bust written all over him. If they draft him I will be so pissed. He’s Casey Mathews with more awards.
Jbird you sound smart to me brother!!! I love Cullen Jenkins at DE. I would start Jenkins, and Williams at DE, and have Brandon Thompson (my 2nd round pick), and Albert Haynesworth at DT, with Upshaw, and Zach Brown, or Nigel Bradham on the outside, and Fletcher in the middle with Vontaze, brought along gradually. Speed, and Nastiness on Defense. Chaney will probably be a back up for Courtney Upshaw, at OLB. I’ll act like I didn’t hear the black man comment. I’m black, but love all my white, Spanish, Indian, and Oriental brothers; not the best of comments JBird, come on man……….We’re still cool though brother………
They have to draft a LB in the first round. I’m not saying they shouldn’t draft another position in the 1st, but Linebacker has to be one of them. They should be able to get 3 #1’s this year with some wheeling, and dealing.
gmcliff…I aplogize. That wasn’t meant to offend. I was actually bashing the Eagles for being so concerned about kid’s backgrounds. That’s why they would shy away from talent like Jimmy Smith and Vontaze Burfict. That’s all I meant. I would actually prefer a player that was more streetwise and tough. Just because someone comes from the hood doesn’t mean he’s going to be trouble. But they are too cautious. You see what I mean?? Again aplogies if you took that wrong.
Eagles have Zero chance of landing Mario Williams
He’s going back home to the Panthers who have the need, the $$$ and the Scheme & HC in Rivera that suits him perfectly.. He will be paired with DE Charles Johnson and plays in HC Rivera’s Defensive scheme handled by DC Sean McDermott. Panthers will also Draft DT D Still or M Brockers with their 1st Round pick giving them one of youngest and best DL in the NFL to go along with a LB Crew that when they return of MLB J Beason f& OLB T DAvis and James Andersons will give the PAnthers one of the bset front 7’s in the NFC and will allow them to compete with the Saints/Falcons for a Playoff Spot in the NFC South Division
There is no way Mario WIlliams will play for a Team up North. Sorry fellas
No sense in thinking it can happen now. Paul said it can’t .
No Offense taken JBird…as I said we’re still cool.
@Paulman, and Erock – They may not go after Mario, but It would be the smart thing to do, seeings though Babin, and Cole both, will have to be replaced at some point of time, especially when Cole contract year is approaching. GMCliff, would not just go after, I would sign Mario Williams. I have vision, and know how to reload for future SuperBowl runs. That would be the smart move, but Andy doesn’t think like we do. We on GCobb.com have common sense.
Don’t listen to paul, he said the same thing about Nnamdi before we signed him, that hed never come here and that hes signing here n there but not heat, you have no clue what ur talking about. Why waste ur typing when your wrong 95% of the time…
Checking around the NFL and the fact that there are 450 Free-Agents hitting the market this year, there are also quite a few players who will find themselves released as Salray Cap Casualties where verteran players are making big $$4 and are either underperforming, coming off injury or beat out by a younger,cheaper players… Every team has a few on their roster, some are big names, some are not
For example the Eagles
CB A Sammuel, DE D Tapp, OT Winston Justice and possibly DT C Jenkins
could all very well be released
Take a look at the Saints who have a lot of big name players as Free-Agents
but also have Veteran Players under Contract that will most likley be released to free up $$$ and in esscence join the free-agent market as players
Saints players to get the hook
MLB J Vilma, DE W Smith & RB C Ivory
Panthers
OLB Thomas Davis, OT Jeff Otah
The NFL Calender and new Year begins March 8th which is when many of the players either receive some type of Roster Bonus or if active on a teams roster, will count to they Salary Cap… Watch for each team to release 3-4-5 players to free up $$$ over the next few weeks
I wish the Eagles would have listened and not sign Asmo, he’s way overrated in my book and I would have pursued more physical Cover CB’s familiar with NFC Football and Opponents and been happy with either Carlos Rodgers and or Richard Marshall and saved about $8-MIllion per year in the process which I then could have addressed LB and Safety
Paul…IMO, cutting Jenkins would be a mistake. I liked everything I saw from him last year. I just don’t see that one Paul.