Lofa Tatupu Rumors: The Latest on Tatupu to Chicago Bears

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 05: Linebacker Lofa Tatupu #51 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with Jay Richardson #99 and Craig Terrill #93 after returning an interception for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 31-14. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Lofa Tatupu, the former Seattle Seahawks linebacker, is still looking for a home for the 2011 NFL season.

The latest rumors have him going to the Chicago Bears, but that's far from a done deal.

And, according to the Chicago Tribune, the Bears are saying they aren't interested in Tatupu:

For all the chatter about the team pursuing Lofa Tatupu, coach Lovie Smith has been straightforward in saying Nick Roach is the starter at strong-side linebacker. His payday affirms that. Roach received a $4.5 million, two-year contract and banks $2.685 million in 2011.

Nick Roach doesn't exactly invoke as much fear in opponents as Tatupu, but the Bears insist Roach is their guy.

Personally, I think a linebacking corps of Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs and Lofa Tatupu sounds pretty intimidating.

Roach is definitely a downgrade.

But Roach can certainly improve, especially since he gets to work with Briggs and Urlacher every day.

Tatupu, though, is a proven product. He's had three seasons with more than 100 tackles and had 88 tackles in 2010.

He also has 10 interceptions in his six-year career.

Roach only has a career-high of 75 tackles and no interceptions in his four-year career.

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Lofa Tatupu Rumors: Can Tatupu Be an Outside Linebacker in a 4-3 Scheme?

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

The Seattle Seahawks and Lofa Tatupu mutually agreed to grant him a release before the 2011 NFL season.

Tatupu isn't washed up by any means. He's only 28 years old.

But, according to National Football Post, there were concerns that Tatupu wouldn't fit into the Seahawks' new defensive scheme:

"The Seahawks did not get rid of Lofa Tatupu because they thought he could no longer play. They got rid of him because he no longer fit in their defense. Many believe Tatupu, at 6-0, 250, can only play middle linebacker in a 4-3 scheme. The Seahawks want to be more versatile with their front this year, and plan on morphing in and out of a three man front. Tatupu isn’t the guy to do that with."

However, Tatupu clearly has a nose for the ball. When he's healthy, he's always right around 100 tackles per season.

Plus, he's no slouch in pass coverage. He has 10 career interceptions.

He could use some work on his pass-rushing abilities, but as a middle linebacker, he wasn't really asked to do that much.

The Bears should at least look at signing him to a one-year deal. Then, they could even bring in Nick Roach on passing downs to be an extra coverage guy or pass rusher.

Then, Tatupu would be a major lift on running downs.

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