Lofa Tatupu?
 

@JasonLaCanforaJason La Canfora

Former Seattle LB Lofa Tatupu visited the Saints Monday. He did not play in 2011 after being released shortly after lockout ended

More;

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ts-the-saints/

Remember seeing this guy play. Should be a good choice and a start to a revamped defense

Kinda on the back 9 of his career though, I thought he'd retired to be honest, I want Dunbar to start

As long as expectations are dampened... like training camp fodder. I can still remember the lengthy discussion we had on him last year... people wanted him to come in and start right away after two big knee surgeries and go figure no one signed him. We tend to fall in love with names as fans... I'm not convinced he has any speed left to make any sort of significant contribution... even on special teams.

Same measurements and age as Vilma, although Tatupu is a bit slower at 4.71 in the 40. The key measurement...he most likely is cap friendly. Competition maybe!

Good points

Yep, I agree with Biloxi. Bring him in to camp and see what he's got left in the tank and if nothing else he can maybe help the young guys out, Bussey and Wilson.

Dunbar> Tapoopoo

We at least look like we are starting to adress the lb. position, I don't know if Tattoo has anything left, but I'll trust the coaches on this one. I was just excited to see them bring in a lb.

It's weird that people are ready to write off Vilma, and we're supposed to get excited about a guy who I also thought already had retired since his knees were shot.

I remember lurking through the Seahawks' message boards last off-season to find out what the situation was with Tatupu and they all pretty much agreed that he was done as a professional athlete.

He supposedly had lost all his former speed which honestly made him the player he was, and that loss of explosiveness had also caused his tackling to deteriorate to a level where he could not wrap up a guy if his life depended on it.

Now that doesn't really sound like a guy I would like to see take up a spot on the Saints' roster no matter how cap friendly he would be - naturally there's a possibility that he has overcome those injuries/surgeries, but that prospect is a lot bleaker than the same is for Vilma.

I'm just glad they look to be adressing the lb. spot. It could have been a 1 legged man in a a$$ kicking contest, it's the point.

Can't hurt to at least take a look at him, it's not like we're out anything...

With the exception of a torn pectoral muscle, a couple of Pro Bowls and All Pro selection, and cap space, they sound almost interchangeable.

The Saints haven't signed the guy, it is a look see. Who knows, Tatupu could be the next coming of Dan Morgan...just saying!

Now this is a good point...

Sometimes there are better players who become free agents because of money and draft status committed to a player ahead of said free agent on a depth chart elsewhere.

One thing I really have liked about Payton is that for the most part, he plays his best players, especially on offense...

Low risk, high reward.... at least the front office is looking into upgrading the linebacker corps

He did have an entire year off to get his body right and word is he's a hard worker. Those injuries though...it almost never works out and it's not just his knees either. I like taking a look at him however. You have to explore all the options available. As long as the Saints keep doing that I feel confident whatever we end up with will be as good as it can get.

i don't believe he comes to a team that he will ride the pine.i like his background just an old guy wanting 1 more year.

Always take a look is an approach I like. He didn't play for a year, if he has been doing rehab and training well he might be healthy and in great shape.

I'm not against taking a closer look at him, and for the record, I really liked him as a MLB in SEA. My point was simply that I'm surprised by the fact that many here are all too ready to kick Vilma to the curve without giving his health situation the benefit of the doubt - and on the other side there's hardly any concern regarding Tatupu's health even though he was in a worse shape in 2010 than Vilma was this last season.

That's all...

I always liked him bring him in

I for one have written off Vilma. I can just see a trend starting with his injury. it happened all year and i read an article years ago that stated that he would start to experience pain in his knee from this type of injury/ repair. it read that vilma would get pain in about his 4th year...which was 2 years ago (so it was off a little)...it would be inflamatory conditions at his knee similar to arthritis. i feel like dunbar was better than the hurt vilma we had this year.

Couldn't hurt to kick the tires. Just don't get your hopes up. I remember two years ago fans were interested in this guy and Seattle fans chimed in.

He was a small slow player to start with, and injuries have made him even slower.

Where did you read that? He timed a 4.83 at the combine.

Whatever it was, you should probably add about .10 sec + to that now since he is older and has had knee issues. Sounds slower than Shanle to me, NO THANKS.

Lofa Tatupu - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pre-draft measurables (USC Pro Day) 4.73/40.

Come onin.....let's take a look at you.:smile:

talking costs nothing towards the cap

New Orleans Saints confirm visit by Seattle linebacker Lofa Tatupu - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

"In some respects, the visit is a curious one as Tatupu and Saints middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma are essentially mirrors."

why can't he be on the same roster as vilma?

Bring in 50 LB's and let them ALL fight it out.

Bring him in and see if he's healthy enough to contribute. The price tag can't be too high.

Bring him into camp, lets see what ya got left. Can't hurt