Tulloch stays with Lions; LBs Start Signing Now?
The Detroit Lions just stirred up what has been a stagnant inside linebacker market thus far in free agency.
Tulloch stays with Lions; LBs Start Signing Now?
Daily News staff and Les Bowen
The Detroit Lions just stirred up what has been a stagnant inside linebacker market thus far in free agency.
Stephen Tulloch agreed to a 5-year deal to remain with the Lions, according to reports. Terms have not yet surfaced.
The Detroit Free-Press says Tulloch's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and the Lions spent the morning hammering out the deal.
"I want to thank all of the Detroit Lion fans for sticking with me through this process. This is a special team & I'm glad to be apart of it," Tulloch tweeted.
Reports last week indicated that Tulloch wanted more than the 5-year, $42.5 million deal that the Browns gave linebacker D'Qwell Jackson. Tulloch made $3.25 million last year on a 1-year deal with Detroit. We can be pretty sure that since no other suitors emerged, Tulloch probably didn't get $42.5 million.
The other linebacker among the top-tier duo is Atlanta free agent Curtis Lofton, who is said to be seeking $9 million per year. Lofton, 25, has started for the Falcons since they drafted him in the second round out of Oklahoma in 2008. He has started 63 of a possible 64 games.
Lofton visited New Orleans earlier this week and also has been in contact with Tampa Bay. It swill be interesting to see if the Tulloch signing means somebody snatches up Lofton.
If the Eagles are, in fact, looking for an inside linebacker through free agency, the prominent names could drop off quickly. David Hawthorne has visited the Saints and was scheduled to visit Detroit, although they will no longer be in need of his services. Unfortunately, according to the Ann Arbor News, Hawthorne was in the air when word of Tulloch's signing broke. Guess he will be in for a surprise when he lands.
Other options include veterans such as London Fletcher, E.J. Henderson, Gary Brackett or Jameel McClain. There has been no indication of Eagles interest in any of them, but the Birds do like to play it close to the vest.
**
To read our previous posts from today, including thoughts on Tim Tebow, click here.
I'm glad ol boy signed back up with the Detroit Lions, we'd have been screwed without him. I thought Philly was a good spot for him too, but of course I wanted him back here. (HTML deleted)— Detroit Lions- Eagles just got D.ryans from TX for a draft pick.......dream team is back,— lagunners
- The Packers, Giants and every other tough team in the divison have great linebackers--except the Eagles. Reid still doesn't think he needs them to win!— farley
- That $22M number is pretty deceiving (I'm assuming you got it from EaglesCap). They didn't update to add in the Mathis contract yet, and about $11M in "space" is actually carryover from unspent cap money last year. They are a lot closer to the cap than they appear, especially since they are going to hand over quite a pile to McCoy...not to mention a nice chunk to Maclin as well.— sg
- Simoneau still available. Butkus an option if you want experience. But seriously, Eagles fans: don't torture yourselves over the lack of linebackers. They're not going to deviate from Captain Andy's master plan and sign one.— iceman
- if they dump off asante they easily have enough money for lofton.— HDemetriou
- Linebackers???? We don't need no stinking linebackers!— rustypop58
- Casey Matthews and Keenan Clayton were actually pretty good on passing downs. I think they're going to continue going with the linebacker by committee approach. In the base package it will be Chaney, Rolle, and a SAM LB to be acquired. In jumbo nickel which is nickel on a down that's not obviously a passing down it will be Matthews and Rolle or Chaney and Rolle. On passing downs it will be Matthews and Keenan Clayton.— soulman386
- This is Andy and I want to say we don't need no da** good LB's!— losteagle
- Who needs LBs ??? You guys will spend no matter what !!! :).... Gold Standard at it's best !!!!— diehardeagle
- @Ace:
The rookies don't cost much at all. Even if they had the overall #1 pick, that $22.9 million is plenty enough to sign that guy and others. Now, after they presumably resign Shady, then yes, they won't have a ton of room.— Penfold18 
Comment removed.
Eagles still got Ashante. I wonder what the contract is like for Tulloch. If it's something the Eagles can handle then it looks like a trade... Ashante for Tulloch. DB is a real need in Detroit.- 9 million a year, no way! Either trade Asante to get a backer or sign Fletcher and draft a starter with 1st or one of those 2 seconds. Pair those 2 with Chayney and we have respectable corps. Matthews, Rolle and Clayton for backup/ special teams.— friedmozzarela
- @Romus, they don't have the money. They'll go over the cap. They only have $22 mil left to play with. They might sign a minor FA then spend the rest on the rookies they draft— Ace-Philadelphia
- I think the Eagles have confidence that Jamar Chaney will become a good middle LB. He showed great promise his rookie season. Perhaps his regression last season was just going through the learning curve of playing behind a wide nine formation. I heard the Eagles don't hold Lofton in high regard. They may sign a lower price SAM linebacker, keep Chaney in the middle, and keep Brian Rolle on the weak side.— soulman386
- who needs a LB? that's like saying every team needs a punt returner going into every season.— jb99
- Sign Lofton...solves one problem right off the bat.— Romus
