Steven Tullock of Titans potential if he saw 3 downs... (1 Viewer)

[benm3218]

Steven Tullock plays behind Fowler right now in the middle. He is a better big play guy and plays with energy and power that Fowler has only ever dreamed of. BUT, Fowler is a system guy who is always in position and knows the brains part of his position. This has kept Tullock off the field in the past. With Tullock's play this pre-season and camp though, many Titan's insiders think he may be hard to keep off the field.

In the Titans scheme could the middle linebacker like Tullock be a weekly play? Or is it always going to be OLB's like Bullock that get the points?

Anyone else follow the Titans and have any insight on the Titans LB in the middle?

Personally as a Titan's fan that reads the message boards regularly and watches all the games(preseason so far) I think Tullock has the opportunity to be a really good LB for the Titans. Its just a question of whether or not Fisher lets him on the field. Fisher is notoriously loyal to vets like Fowler.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Tulloch has very good potential if he eventually wins an every-down role. There isn't anything about the scheme that's made the OLBs better than the MLB; it's a position that has put up reasonable numbers on base defensive downs on the past. There hasn't been a decent MLB talent there in years and the OLB talent has been well-above average in most seasons. Randall Godfrey has a decent season or two in the middle much earlier this decade, but it's been a long line of replacement level talent there -- Rocky Calmus, Rocky Boiman, Ryan Fowler, Peter Sirmon, Brad Kassell, Joe Bowden, Barron Wortham, etc -- since Fisher took over.

I'm not convinced that Tulloch has the all-around skills of most of the top tier of linebackers, but there's plenty of box score value for the taking. It's one of the positions we've been patiently waiting out year after year.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

He is in a long list of LBs who would have some value in a 3 down role, but I don't consider him to be much of a talent. Pretty much any LB will have some value playing 3 downs.

 

[stevegamer]

I agree with the guys above. I've rostered Tulloch before, primarily on opportunity, bu the's not a great talent, and he's not quite got 3-down ability when compared to other backers they have there.

What's frustrating for Titans fans, I'd imagine, is that they could upgrade the talent at MLB fairly easily by drafting well. Even the Eagles, who basically ignore drafting LB's high get better talent at MLB.

 

[Chaos Commish]

He is in a long list of LBs who would have some value in a 3 down road, but I don't consider him to be much of a talent. Pretty much any LB will have some value playing 3 downs.

Tulloch is a good ball player, Tony. He has quick feet and fluid hips, plays down hill. He's aggressive and instinctive in traffic, and he's the best hitter they have. According to one report he made a ton of big plays throughout camp and another calls him the most talented Titan not starting. Interestingly, he is apparently backing up not just Fowler, but Thornton and Bulluck. So, experimenting with him at OLB has increased his value. His primary weakness coming out of Maryland was pass coverage (and height, I guess). I watched that team a lot because of Mario and Manny. Tulloch won me over that year. He stuffed everything, though it was easy to assume he'd be a liability in coverage. If he is in fact backing up the OLBs, which I suppose needs confirmation, then he must have progressed in coverage. He has the athleticism to do so. I just cut a 60 man roster to 53 and he was the last cut I made, but I still think he is a worthy hold depending on the team. A few teams in that league would be smart to nab him. What I like about him for our uses is that he can put up big numbers. Obviously, something negative keeps him from starting over an average Fowler, but grooming him at all three positions is also obviously a positive. At this "value" level in deep deep IPD leagues, Tulluch is a good gamble.

 

[benm3218]

he is backing the OLB's currently. He has improved quite a bit this camp. I say this as a Titans homer.

He is more than average. Most of us Titans fans are praying for a Fowler suspension so Tullock can start.

His liability was always coverage. He would bite too easy and make mistakes so the big plays weren't justified since Fisher couldnt count on him. But, now he has improved that area. It really seems like just Fowlers starting job and the way Fisher runs a team are the only things keeoing him from stepping up big.

 

[DonFue]

Nice save CC. This guy has talent.

 

[Young 8]

The Titans have promoted Stephen Tulloch to the starting lineup at middle linebacker over Ryan Fowler.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...1/80924100/1027

 

[benm3218]

So.... Is he gonna get tackles? He is much better and faster than the guy he is replacing. Neither outside backer is blowing up. Could he be a sleeper or do you predict a low end LB?

 

[Rozelle]

So.... Is he gonna get tackles? He is much better and faster than the guy he is replacing. Neither outside backer is blowing up. Could he be a sleeper or do you predict a low end LB?

I wouldn't expect much and that’s nothing against Tulloch, it's the situation. If this is permanent, he’ll be a 2 down LB (for now), on a team who is tough to run against. His tackle ops will be limited, oh … he may have a game where the cards fall right and the Titans face a lot of rushing attempts and he puts up 8-9 solos, but his immediate upside, in terms of FF production, is limited.

 

[Tecmo]

So.... Is he gonna get tackles? He is much better and faster than the guy he is replacing. Neither outside backer is blowing up. Could he be a sleeper or do you predict a low end LB?

a low end LB. The defense is tough ever since Haynesworth turned into a Pro-Bowl force... just not enough opportunities really

 

[Rozelle]

He is in a long list of LBs who would have some value in a 3 down road, but I don't consider him to be much of a talent. Pretty much any LB will have some value playing 3 downs.

Tulloch is a good ball player, Tony. He has quick feet and fluid hips, plays down hill. He's aggressive and instinctive in traffic, and he's the best hitter they have. According to one report he made a ton of big plays throughout camp and another calls him the most talented Titan not starting. Interestingly, he is apparently backing up not just Fowler, but Thornton and Bulluck. So, experimenting with him at OLB has increased his value. His primary weakness coming out of Maryland was pass coverage (and height, I guess). I watched that team a lot because of Mario and Manny. Tulloch won me over that year. He stuffed everything, though it was easy to assume he'd be a liability in coverage. If he is in fact backing up the OLBs, which I suppose needs confirmation, then he must have progressed in coverage. He has the athleticism to do so. I just cut a 60 man roster to 53 and he was the last cut I made, but I still think he is a worthy hold depending on the team. A few teams in that league would be smart to nab him. What I like about him for our uses is that he can put up big numbers. Obviously, something negative keeps him from starting over an average Fowler, but grooming him at all three positions is also obviously a positive. At this "value" level in deep deep IPD leagues, Tulluch is a good gamble.

I know you meant NC State, but had Maryland on the brain .

 

[Chaos Commish]

He is in a long list of LBs who would have some value in a 3 down road, but I don't consider him to be much of a talent. Pretty much any LB will have some value playing 3 downs.

Tulloch is a good ball player, Tony. He has quick feet and fluid hips, plays down hill. He's aggressive and instinctive in traffic, and he's the best hitter they have. According to one report he made a ton of big plays throughout camp and another calls him the most talented Titan not starting. Interestingly, he is apparently backing up not just Fowler, but Thornton and Bulluck. So, experimenting with him at OLB has increased his value. His primary weakness coming out of Maryland was pass coverage (and height, I guess). I watched that team a lot because of Mario and Manny. Tulloch won me over that year. He stuffed everything, though it was easy to assume he'd be a liability in coverage. If he is in fact backing up the OLBs, which I suppose needs confirmation, then he must have progressed in coverage. He has the athleticism to do so. I just cut a 60 man roster to 53 and he was the last cut I made, but I still think he is a worthy hold depending on the team. A few teams in that league would be smart to nab him. What I like about him for our uses is that he can put up big numbers. Obviously, something negative keeps him from starting over an average Fowler, but grooming him at all three positions is also obviously a positive. At this "value" level in deep deep IPD leagues, Tulluch is a good gamble.

I know you meant NC State, but had Maryland on the brain .

Same thing.

 

[gregjcross]

So.... Is he gonna get tackles? He is much better and faster than the guy he is replacing. Neither outside backer is blowing up. Could he be a sleeper or do you predict a low end LB?

I wouldn't expect much and that’s nothing against Tulloch, it's the situation. If this is permanent, he’ll be a 2 down LB (for now), on a team who is tough to run against. His tackle ops will be limited, oh … he may have a game where the cards fall right and the Titans face a lot of rushing attempts and he puts up 8-9 solos, but his immediate upside, in terms of FF production, is limited.

I have had him since day 1 and its been a long wait. Ironically, I also have Thornton right now, so I just need to ensure who plays Nickel and Dime, that is who gets the edge. Right now seems obvious its Thornton.

 

[northern exposure]

So.... Is he gonna get tackles? He is much better and faster than the guy he is replacing. Neither outside backer is blowing up. Could he be a sleeper or do you predict a low end LB?

I wouldn't expect much and that’s nothing against Tulloch, it's the situation. If this is permanent, he’ll be a 2 down LB (for now), on a team who is tough to run against. His tackle ops will be limited, oh … he may have a game where the cards fall right and the Titans face a lot of rushing attempts and he puts up 8-9 solos, but his immediate upside, in terms of FF production, is limited.

With Minny playing the Titans this weekend shouldn't this be an ideal spot for Tulloch since all Minny can really do is pound the rock? Perhaps the change was made to Tulloch to counter AP's speed. I'm looking for a bye week fill-in, so I would think Tulloch has a great opportuniy to put up some numbers. Am I wrong?

 

[Rozelle]

So.... Is he gonna get tackles? He is much better and faster than the guy he is replacing. Neither outside backer is blowing up. Could he be a sleeper or do you predict a low end LB?

I wouldn't expect much and that’s nothing against Tulloch, it's the situation. If this is permanent, he’ll be a 2 down LB (for now), on a team who is tough to run against. His tackle ops will be limited, oh … he may have a game where the cards fall right and the Titans face a lot of rushing attempts and he puts up 8-9 solos, but his immediate upside, in terms of FF production, is limited.

With Minny playing the Titans this weekend shouldn't this be an ideal spot for Tulloch since all Minny can really do is pound the rock? Perhaps the change was made to Tulloch to counter AP's speed. I'm looking for a bye week fill-in, so I would think Tulloch has a great opportuniy to put up some numbers. Am I wrong?

No .. this isn't a bad matchup for him. Frerotte gives the Vikings a more balanced attack, but this could be one of those games where the cards fall right. I think you may be right about the change having to do with countering Peterson's speed. On a side note ... the Tennesse running game vs Minnesota's rush defense will be an interesting matchup to watch.

 

[northern exposure]

So.... Is he gonna get tackles? He is much better and faster than the guy he is replacing. Neither outside backer is blowing up. Could he be a sleeper or do you predict a low end LB?

I wouldn't expect much and that’s nothing against Tulloch, it's the situation. If this is permanent, he’ll be a 2 down LB (for now), on a team who is tough to run against. His tackle ops will be limited, oh … he may have a game where the cards fall right and the Titans face a lot of rushing attempts and he puts up 8-9 solos, but his immediate upside, in terms of FF production, is limited.

With Minny playing the Titans this weekend shouldn't this be an ideal spot for Tulloch since all Minny can really do is pound the rock? Perhaps the change was made to Tulloch to counter AP's speed. I'm looking for a bye week fill-in, so I would think Tulloch has a great opportuniy to put up some numbers. Am I wrong?

No .. this isn't a bad matchup for him. Frerotte gives the Vikings a more balanced attack, but this could be one of those games where the cards fall right. I think you may be right about the change having to do with countering Peterson's speed. On a side note ... the Tennesse running game vs Minnesota's rush defense will be an interesting matchup to watch.[/font]

Definitely it will be interesting to see the Titans' gameplan vs. the Vikes. I'm guessing Chris Johnson starts and is used for alot of pitch outs and dump passes. The Vikes Run D is stellar between the tackles , but lacks something once you cut to the outside. Johnson's speed should prove to be poison to the Vikings because they simply don't have anybody with the speed to pursue him. If the Titans can get CJ in space, watch out! In the latter stages of the game when the Vikes front 7 is exhausted from chasing CJ, Fisher will start to pound the rock with Lenwhale. That is how I see it playing out anyway.

 

[Bri]

So.... Is he gonna get tackles? He is much better and faster than the guy he is replacing. Neither outside backer is blowing up. Could he be a sleeper or do you predict a low end LB?

He's not much better, if at all. He and Ryan are really neck and neck and have been for a while. Tulloch has an aggressiveness to him that he kinda needed to figure out when to turn on and turn off. I remember some guys in camp getting upset he was playing too rough.