Tulloch time in TN (1 Viewer)

[bigreese82]

Titans | Sirmon not expected to return Published Tue Feb 27 10:32:00 a.m. ET 2007

(KFFL) Paul Kuharsky, of the Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans pending free agent LB Peter Sirmon is not expected to return to the team in 2007.

 

[Warpig]

Titans | Sirmon not expected to return Published Tue Feb 27 10:32:00 a.m. ET 2007 (KFFL) Paul Kuharsky, of the Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans pending free agent LB Peter Sirmon is not expected to return to the team in 2007.

:tulluchowner:

 

[PhillyStars]

Titans | Sirmon not expected to return Published Tue Feb 27 10:32:00 a.m. ET 2007 (KFFL) Paul Kuharsky, of the Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans pending free agent LB Peter Sirmon is not expected to return to the team in 2007.

:tulluchowner:

ME TOO !!!

 

[PatsWillWin]

 

[Weapon of Mass Instruction]

He'll make a few mistakes, but he will make a lot of tackles. I'd expect blitz #s from the OLBs though.

 

[Tick]

2 downs, right?

 

[Jene Bramel]

2 downs, right?

Tulloch is probably solid enough in coverage to play on third downs, but he's unlikely to have a major role in the nickel with Thornton and Bulluck healthy. Thornton played in the nickel even when dealing with a shoulder injury last year.

 

[Rozelle]

I can't see him being anything more than a 2 down backer, at least for now. If he has the instincts to overcome his lack of speed (4.83 40 at '06 combine), and lack of burst 33.5 vertical and 9.5 broad jump, (he suppose to have good instincts), then he could eventually become a 3 downer. I have my doubts, but I haven't seen him play.

Just for reference Tatupu, who was considered slow, ran a 4.63 at his combine, but vertical and broad jump numbers close to Tulloch's. We'll see.

 

[Birdie048]

I really like Tulluch.... but I don't think he future starts in 07.

 

[bigreese82]

Tuesday, 03/13/07

Fowler switches to Titans

Agent said LB had picked Eagles

By PAUL KUHARSKY

Staff Writer

Ryan Fowler had a change of heart.

On Sunday, his agent said the restricted free agent linebacker from the Dallas Cowboys would sign an offer sheet with Philadelphia, and the Eagles announced it in an e-mail that afternoon.

After conversations with Titans General Manager Mike Reinfeldt and Coach Jeff Fisher late Sunday, Fowler made a different decision. Monday, the Titans announced he'd signed their offer sheet.

"In theory, we had something agreed upon," Fowler said of the Eagles. "Nothing was ever signed. Things transpired that led me to believe Tennessee was a better fit. … In the sense that I'll have a chance to compete for a starting job, (the Titans) are better. Dallas was a great place. I got a good shot and loved playing here, but starting is the goal."

The Cowboys have until Monday to match Tennessee's offer to Fowler and retain him.

Favorite to start at MLB

Reinfeldt said Fowler rated as a priority to the Titans.

"He's a smart, aggressive middle backer," he said. "He was kind of stuck in a system that's more of a 3-4; he's probably better suited to the 3-4 that we play. I think he's a leader. ... He would just be a good fit for us in a lot of ways."

According to agent Alan Herman, Fowler's package is a four-year deal worth $11.5 million — topping Philly's total over the same time of $10 million. Of the $11.5 million Fowler is slated to make from the Titans, he'd get $5 million in the first year with $4 million of that in bonuses.

That compensation would suggest that while the Titans set up a middle linebacker competition between Fowler and second-year pro Stephen Tulloch — a fourth-round draft pick out of North Carolina State last April — Fowler is the heavy favorite to start.

Tulloch got a $429,000 signing bonus last summer and is slated to earn $360,000 this season.

Cowboys can match

The Titans intentionally front-loaded the deal to try to dissuade Dallas from matching. It would also help use available salary cap dollars now rather than in future years.

"I guess we're hoping that the roles would be different, that he would have a different role here than he would in Dallas," Reinfeldt said. "It's something that makes sense for us and hopefully wouldn't make sense for them, but only they can say that."

If the Cowboys don't match, Fowler will come to Nashville and cost the Titans nothing in draft-pick compensation because he came into the league as an undrafted free agent.

Herman said throughout the process that he'd be surprised if the Cowboys matched an offer sheet that gave Fowler starter's money considering they are locked in with middle linebacker Bradie James.

"Ryan is hoping Dallas doesn't match," Herman said. "Tennessee is where he wants to be, this is what he wants and he is hopeful that Dallas allows him to move to Tennessee and continues his career."

 

[Rabbid Patriot Homer]

well that sucks.

 

[RavensUNFL]

It sure seems like they are putting A LOT of faith in a guy that has been nothing but a special teams player. In 3 years he has 51 solo tackles.. and now he has going to be the starting MLB for the Titans? I read the articles and they think the 3/4 wasn't his thing and blah blah blah, but if a guy is talented enough to be a starting MLB in the NFL, he should have found some way to be on the field in Dallas. Guess we shall see how this shakes out.

 

[msommer]

Does anyone know much about Fowler?

2 or 3 down backer?

Although it will be hard to knock Thornton off the nickle package if he is good he just might...

 

[Jene Bramel]

It sure seems like they are putting A LOT of faith in a guy that has been nothing but a special teams player. In 3 years he has 51 solo tackles.. and now he has going to be the starting MLB for the Titans? I read the articles and they think the 3/4 wasn't his thing and blah blah blah, but if a guy is talented enough to be a starting MLB in the NFL, he should have found some way to be on the field in Dallas. Guess we shall see how this shakes out.

I agree. Seems like a couple of teams with poor overall LB depth and shaky special teamers got into an RFA bidding war rather than compete for guys like Chris Draft or Kawika Mitchell who've already proven themselves mediocre and unlikely helpful on teams. Researching Fowler's scouting reports and history, it sure reads to me like Fowler is a plugger type ILB. Just because you can't break the starting lineup in a 3-4 doesn't mean it's a poor fit for you. He looked okay filling in at ILB late in 2005 after Scott Shanle was injured but wasn't impressive enough to keep the Cowboys from adding Akin Ayodele and moving Bobby Carpenter inside after re-signing Bradie James. I've not read anything praising his coverage ability. In fact, Rafael Vela of the 'Boys Blog singled him out as the major culprit during the embarrassing stretch of coverage lapses on the goal line last season.Certainly nothing here to suggest Fowler can become a three down player. RFA bidding war and local speculation aside, it would appear that Tulloch is the better player on paper.

 

[ATC1]

Impact on Bulluck?

 

[RavensUNFL]

Impact on Bulluck?

I would say none, Keith Bulluck is a true stud LB, he makes plays all over the field and has for quite some time now. I think he is about 28/29 (Years old) and IMHO still performing like a top 3 IDP LB he has been for the past few years.

 

[biggamer3]

Damn, this sucks, Is Fowler any good?

 

[duece2626]

Titans | Fowler to pull double duty

Sun, 8 Apr 2007 12:25:43 -0700

Paul Kuharsky, of the Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans LB Ryan Fowler will be the starting middle linebacker, and will also have a role on special teams.

 

[gregjcross]

people want to make a lot of hay about things during April. Its almost pointless to try to predict who will win this camp battle until the practices start. I picked up Fowler (already had Tulloch) to hedge my bet, for all we know the Titans could take an ILB at round 2 annd both Tulloch and Fowler would be SOL.my 2 cents

Titans | Fowler to pull double dutySun, 8 Apr 2007 12:25:43 -0700Paul Kuharsky, of the Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans LB Ryan Fowler will be the starting middle linebacker, and will also have a role on special teams.