Thread: Bears Interest in Tatupu? Roach Unconcerned..

Sounds like the Bears interest in Tatupu was more on just the inquiry level than anything serious so far. Lofa was due $4 mil this year and wouldn't take less from Seattle so unless he gets painted into a corner it's doubtfull he'd take less from anyone else. If he's talking to the Redskins and they want him with Dan Snyder's wallet in the picture it's probably a done deal.

If Tatupu comes to the Bears he knows that he has to switch to the SLB spot and compete for it with Roach unless the Bears just hand it to him and I can't see Marinelli doing that. With Pisa out until at least September getting Tatupu is a nice idea but I doubt it happens.

Don't see any real need to sign Tatupu, especially coming off the knee injury. Roach and Pisa are plenty serviceable and Seattle cutting him raises an eyebrow from me. I know he hurt the cap, but Carroll cut him (a former USC LB) and he's in his prime years age-wise, so it's not like they cut an over the hill veteran...that says alot to me. Plus he would hafta transition to a new position.

Thanks, but no thanks.

He's not even 30, has a higher ceiling than any other possibility at SLB, and as far as a USC connection goes, he passed on one of his own people in his first draft, and LenDale White didn't make it out of training camp.

Originally Posted by Henry Burris

He's not even 30, has a higher ceiling than any other possibility at SLB, and as far as a USC connection goes, he passed on one of his own people in his first draft, and LenDale White didn't make it out of training camp.

Cutting a 27 year old LB (by his college HC, no less) that's been as productive as Tatupu and a pillar of the defense coming off a knee injury doesn't exactly inspire confidence in me...but that's just me. If we can get him on the cheap, more power to us, but it doesn't sound like he's interested in being a bargain. It's money that could be better spent elsewhere and we can get a LB in the draft.

Originally Posted by KML

Cutting a 27 year old LB (by his college HC, no less) that's been as productive as Tatupu and a pillar of the defense coming off a knee injury doesn't exactly inspire confidence in me...but that's just me. If we can get him on the cheap, more power to us, but it doesn't sound like he's interested in being a bargain. It's money that could be better spent elsewhere and we can get a LB in the draft.

Again, Pete Carroll hasn't shown that he's devoted to his college players, and if Jonathon Vilma could be used as an example, a LB can come back from a serious injury (Vilma's was worse) and play at a high level. If he's not asking too much, it's a no-brainer. Nick Roach and Pisa haven't shown they've got the position exactly locked down.

Originally Posted by Henry Burris

Again, Pete Carroll hasn't shown that he's devoted to his college players, and if Jonathon Vilma could be used as an example, a LB can come back from a serious injury (Vilma's was worse) and play at a high level. If he's not asking too much, it's a no-brainer. Nick Roach and Pisa haven't shown they've got the position exactly locked down.

And again, I'll pass. With Carroll, it's not so much an issue of him being "devoted to his college players" (even though WR Mike Williams was among his first signings after taking over the Seahawks) so much as it is (in my mind) that he knows the guy, what he's capable of, and how to use him...yet he still wasn't worth $4 mil/yr in his mind despite the fact that he's a defensive leader, been to 3 Pro Bowls, and is in his athletic prime. It's suspicious to me...maybe it's something, maybe not. But you don't normally see guys that young that have been that productive getting cut.

I agree that Roach and Pisa aren't exactly world-beaters, but they don't have to be within the framework of our defense...we'll be fine with them this year IMO. Signing a guy like Tatupu, coming off his surgery, having to play a new position, and demanding the money he seems to be wanting just seems a bit excessive to me and doesn't make alot of sense. JMO.

Originally Posted by GermansbombedPH

I don't see anything that is against Tatupu.

OK, he had surgery but he was still a good player before. And they didn't cut him because he was bad IIRC. Sign him, play with Briggs, Urlacher and him and win the SB.

Go out and do something, no risk no fun ;)

If you can get him on the cheap (which is highly unlikely) then sure...do it. It's not that I don't like the guy or don't think he's good...it's a business decision...a matter of weighing value vs need. He'd be much more of a luxury than a need for us and wouldn't be worth the contract he'll likely demand. That's money that could be better spent elsewhere.