Breaking News: Detroit Lions Agree to Terms with MLB Stephen Tulloch

Former Tennessee Titans middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch has agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions, according to Pro Football Talk. The deal is for one year at $3.25 million.

Tulloch had long been rumored to be a player of interest for the Lions. His close association with head coach Jim Schwartz, and his familiarity with the defensive system installed by Schwartz in Detroit, made Tulloch a perfect fit.

Tulloch was the consensus top free agent MLB in 2011. The fans wanted him and launched a Twitter campaign in an attempt to recruit him.

There were several factors leading up to the moment of truth. First, the Titans signed free agent MLB Barrett Ruud from Tampa Bay. This was a clear indication that Tennessee felt that it could not re-sign Tulloch.

Second, it was the widely-held opinion that there were three suitors for Tulloch: Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and Detroit. The Eagles made so many blockbuster deals in free agency and trades that the salary cap room disappeared.

Tampa Bay, which needed to replace Ruud, has a reputation for being miserly. Did the Bucs even make Tulloch an offer? We may never know.

Finally, there’s the Drew Rosenhaus factor. The Lions probably extended an offer to Tulloch at the opening of free agency. Rosenhaus, Tulloch’s agent, is notorious for playing team against team in an attempt to squeeze more money out of the treasury.

When Green Bay’s all-purpose LB Nick Barnett became available, the Lions invited him to their Allen Park facility. That visit is still scheduled as of this writing.

When you add the Titans' signing of Ruud, the Eagles free agency binge, the Bucs penny-wise approach and the possibility that Detroit would sign Barnett, is it any wonder that Tulloch and Rosenhaus chose to get a deal done now?

Once again, Lions GM Martin Mayhew has shown us all the art of the deal.

Mike Sudds is a syndicated Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Mike is also an analyst and correspondent for DraftTek.com.