2012 NFL Free Agents: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rumored to Want MLB Curtis Lofton

The Mason Foster experiment at middle linebacker in Tampa Bay may be coming to an abrupt end this offseason. 

According to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports, the Buccaneers are rumored to strongly covet the Atlanta Falcons' free-agent middle linebacker Curtis Lofton.

While the Bucs drafted Foster in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft and started him in 15 games last season, the new coaching staff in Tampa Bay is likely well-aware of his rookie season struggles.

Foster couldn't find any traction on a bad Tampa Bay defense in 2011, and may need to either move outside or play in a reserve role next season.

According to Pro Football Focus, a website that grades every player on every play, Foster was the worst interior linebacker in football last season.

The 6'1", 240-pound rookie was engulfed in the running game and finished the year with one of the worst run-stopping grades PFF has ever given to an inside linebacker. He also missed 11 tackles in just under 900 snaps. 

On paper, signing Lofton to man the middle immediately improves the Buccaneers' defense.

A four-year starter with the Falcons at middle linebacker, Lofton tallied almost 500 tackles and never missed a game. He also added four career sacks and three interceptions.

PFF's grading has been much kinder to Lofton, too. According to their ratings, Lofton has been a top-20 interior linebacker in three of his four NFL seasons. His best year was arguably 2011, when Lofton registered a career-high 147 tackles, two interceptions and one touchdown.

Lofton isn't a great player in pass coverage, but he'd be a huge upgrade over Foster in the run game—an area where the Bucs were down-right terrible last season. Tampa Bay finished 2011 ranked dead last in run defense at 156.1 rushing yards allowed per game. 

An unrestricted free agent starting today, Lofton is not expected to be back with the Falcons after Atlanta signed former Seahawks middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu late last week.