Lofa Tatupu: Former Seahawks Linebacker is Free-Agent Gem

The first week of the NFL free-agency period has been marked by free agents signing and trades being made at a dizzying pace.

The top free-agent targets are being scooped up as quickly as the media can report the transactions.

Somehow in all that activity, Lofa Tatupu has slipped through the cracks and is still available to the highest bidder.

Even on the surface, this makes little sense. Tatupu has played six seasons in the league, averaging about 91 tackles per season. When you throw out his 2009 season when he only played in five games, that average jumps to over 100 tackles per season.

Tatupu is a three-time Pro Bowler, and in 2007 he was named to the All-Pro team. He was also named to the Seattle Seahawks 35th Anniversary Team.

Tatupu established himself as a leader on the Seahawks defense as a rookie and he hasn't looked back.

The best guess on why Tatupu remains unsigned is his diminishing production. After being named a Pro Bowler in each of his first three seasons, he has not been named since.

Sandwiched around his lost 2009 season, Tatupu had seasons of 94 and 88 tackles. Those are solid seasons to be sure, but they aren't the numbers he was putting up in the first few seasons of his career.

The fact that he hasn't signed a contract yet isn't to say that there isn't interest. The Bears and Buccaneers have shown interest in the linebacker and Tatupu has already met with the Raiders and Redskins.

Tatupu's skills are best served on a team with a young, talented defense. That way, he would be able to to be a coach on the field and lead by example for some kids who may be just learning the nuances of the game of football.

For this reason, I'm not sure Chicago is the best place for him. Led by Brian Urlacher, the Bears already have several veteran leaders on that side of the ball. They are crowded at linebacker, so I'm not sure of Tatupu's interest in being there either.

The Buccaneers defense isn't anything to write home about, but they are a team on the rise and current veteran leader Ronde Barber is likely close to retiring.

Washington is in a similar situation. They lean heavily on linebacker London Fletcher, but there's no telling how much longer Fletcher will play. On top of that, I'm sure Tatupu could learn a thing or two from him.

The Raiders feel like the best fit of this group. They recently missed out on free agent tight end Zach Miller, so they have some money to spend. They just signed Kamerion Wimbley, so you know they are looking to address defensive needs and their defense is young overall. 

Whoever ends up with Tatupu will have a real steal. He won't put up eye-popping sack or interception numbers, but he is a sure tackler and a veteran presence. When Tatupu is on the field, you won't have to worry about him being out of position or making a silly mistake.

Any team that wants Tatupu will have to act quickly. There is ample interest in the linebacker and he likely won't be available for long.