Lofa Tatupu: The Latest on Former Seattle Seahawks Linebacker

NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints breaks away from a tackle by Lofa Tatupu #51 of the Seattle Seahawks at Louisiana Superdome on November 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Lofa Tatupu, released by the Seahawks in July, is still searching for a new team to call home.

After meeting with the Washington Redskins last week, the 'Skins passed on the six-year veteran, opting to re-sign Rocky McIntosh.

Now, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News has confirmed that the Philadelphia Eagles will not be pursuing Tatupu, noting that the Eagles prefer their younger linebackers to signing a free-agent veteran. Younger, in this case, is also a code word for healthier.

Tatupu underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees in the offseason—likely the main factor preventing him from being snapped up quickly by another team. In 2009, he missed the majority of the season with a torn pectoral muscle.

Other teams reportedly interested in the the linebacker include the Oakland Raiders and Chicago Bears.

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Why Lofa Tatupu's Double-Knee Surgery May Not Be a Liability

Two words: Donald Driver.

After the 2007-2008 season, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver had double arthroscopic knee surgery, the same as Lofa Tatupu did this January. In that sesaon, Driver had 82 receptions for 1,048 yards, a 12.8 yards-per-reception average, and two touchdowns, and played in fifteen games.

The following season, coming off of the surgery, Driver's overall yardage was slightly down, at 1,012 yards, but his yards-per-reception went up to a 13.7 average and he scored five touchdowns, while playing all sixteen games.

Obviously comparing defensive linemen to wide receivers is like comparing apples to oranges, however this does prove that knee surgery — even double-knee surgery — does not predicate a drop off in production on the field.

Teams interested in Tatupu should take Driver's experience into consideration, and realize that surgeries are designed to not only alleviate a problem but to improve performance as well.

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Lofa Tatupu a Great Linebacker Value for the Oakland Raiders

Free agent linebacker Lofa Tatupu met with the Oakland Raiders on August 1st. While he has yet to receive an offer from the team, there are convincing reasons for them to sign him

The main reason is talent. Minus the nine sacks accrued by Kamerion Wimbley, the Raiders linebacker corps, last year auspiciously led by Quentin Groves, had only 1.5 of the team's 47 sacks and two of the team's twelve interceptions. Groves himself had only 40 combined tackles with no sacks.

The Raiders would be well-served to replace Groves with a tested, and successful, veteran linebacker such as Tatupu.

This is also one example of how Tatupu's offseason surgeries could benefit whichever team chooses to sign him, as they would most likely get a lot of talent and production for a relatively bargain price. The Raiders are fond of bargain-shopping for talent, and the price may be right for Tatupu very soon.