NFL Free Agency: 5 Potential Landing Spots for Stephen Tulloch

Tennessee linebacker Stephen Tulloch is a relatively unknown NFL commodity.

But for the last two seasons the 5’11", 240 pound Tulloch has raked in 281 tackles for the Titans, including 160 tackles in 2010, good enough for second most in the league.

The six-year veteran has developed from being a fourth round draft pick special teamer into a quality starting inside linebacker.

The Titans rough 2010 lead to the removal of the longest tenured coach in the NFL, Jeff Fisher. Under the direction of new head coach Mike Munchak, the franchise appears headed toward rebuilding mode with Jake Locker at quarterback.

The team drafted linebacker Colin McCarthy in the fourth round in the 2011 Draft. Tennessee has stated they would like to re-sign Stephen Tulloch (an unrestricted free agent), but it appears the writing may be on the wall for the 26-year old.

Here are five potential landing places for Stephen Tulloch once the lockout ends.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts to being sacked during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Image

The young Buccaneers had a surprisingly good season in 2010.

However, it does not appear that the team is going to re-sign their emerging star at middle linebacker, Barrett Ruud. Ruud has led the defense in tackles for a few seasons and is an integral cog on the team.

That being said, Tampa Bay had the fifth worst run defense in football. Tulloch would be a cheaper option than Ruud and would greatly help out the run defense.

He’s not as athletic as Ruud, but Tulloch has proven to be a tackling machine and could provide some veteran leadership to one of the league's youngest teams.

Chicago Bears

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Linebacker Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears reacts with teammates after his 39-yard interception return against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

The Bears defense was stellar in 2010 behind the resurgent play of Brian Urlacher. So why would the Bears sign Stephen Tulloch if they already have two Pro-Bowl linebackers on defense?

Their strong-side linebacker spot has been a revolving door of injuries and disappointment. Players like Hunter Hillenmeyer, Nick Roach and Pisa Tinoisamoa have found themselves on the injured reserve every year for the past few seasons.

Tulloch has been injury free for most of his career, especially since he took over a starting role in 2009. He’s stated he can play outside linebacker and certainly the Bears would welcome a player who averaged 10 tackles a game in 2010.

Tulloch would be a substantial upgrade from the aforementioned players and would not break the Bears stingy budget.

Detroit Lions

Marc Serota/Getty Images

MIAMI - DECEMBER 26: Lineman Ndamukong Sue #90 celebrates a sack against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Detroit is a team on the rise, but they still have a ways to go as a defense. It’s a telling sign when Louis Delmas, the starting free safety, is the team’s leading tackler.

Detroit has some great young players to build around like Ndamukong Suh and Louis Delmas. In the linebacking corps, they got decent production from DeAndre Levy and Julian Peterson.

But Peterson is aging at 33, and Stephen Tulloch nearly doubled Levy in tackles in 2010. Tulloch could move into either linebacker position and provide some much needed run support.

He is young enough to be a fixture on the defense for a few years and can lead by example while Detroit’s young stars begin to dominate the NFL.

Denver Broncos

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

DENVER - DECEMBER 26: Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd #84 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a 41-yard reception against corner back Jason Allen #30 of the Houston Texans during the third quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on December 26, 2010 in Denv

If there is one team that needs any form of defensive help in the NFL, it’s the Denver Broncos.

For the last three seasons, Denver has been historically bad on defense. They were the worst statistical defense in the NFL last year and in many categories it was not even close.

With John Fox at the helm, the team is scrapping the 3-4 defense after a two-year debacle and going back to the 4-3. Second overall pick Von Miller was drafted to bring excellent pass rushing, but the primary focus will be solving their league-worst rush defense.

What better way to do that then bring in the league’s second leading tackler into the fold. Tulloch would be a perfect fit in the middle of the Denver defense. 

St. Louis Rams

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: James Laurinaitis #55 of the St. Louis Rams celebrates recovering a fumble by the Seattle Seahawks during their game at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Steve Spagnuolo and Sam Bradford catapulted the Rams from 1-15 to a game short of making the playoffs in 2010. They had plenty of offense, but as the old adage goes "defense wins championships." 

St. Louis has never been known for defense, but they are looking to change that with this group of Rams. James Laurinaitus has spearheaded the defense in his first two seasons manning the middle.

This team is middle-of-the-road defensively, but putting Stephen Tulloch next to Laurinaitus for a few seasons could change that drastically. The team used a first-round pick on the very talented defensive end Robert Quinn and they already have an emerging player in Chris Long on the other side of the line.

Tulloch and Laurinaitus would make a sinister pairing in the linebacking corps. With experience and time together, they could make the Rams a very tough team to run the football on.