theProf Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 By Chris VivlamoreThe Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionFLOWERY BRANCH — Lofa Tatupu was more than an insurance policy. The Falcons signed the linebacker, who did not play last season, before they lost four-year starter Curtis Lofton to free agency. Now that their leading tackler of the past three seasons is gone, Tatupu will compete for the starting middle linebacker job.“We were very interested in having a guy who was going to add an element of grit, passion, fire and football knowledge that could be very beneficial to our defense,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “It was like a total-package idea.”Tatupu and second-year player Akeem Dent will compete for the starting job in what Dimitroff figures to be a “heated battle.” Both Tatupu and Dent split time with the first-team defense during organized team activities Wednesday.Tatupu, a Pro Bowl selection his first three seasons in the NFL, did not play last season after the Seahawks released him following a six-year career. He started all 16 games in 2010 after playing only five games in 2009 with pectoral and hamstring injuries.While there was much speculation that the effects of concussions and other injuries caused Tatupu to miss last season, he insists he was healthy. The phone simply did not ring.“It wasn’t my choice,” Tatupu said. “I think that’s kind of what happened to veterans across the league. ... But it wasn’t anything to do with concussions or lingering injuries. I was ready to play last season. I got released, like a lot of people did, and I just didn’t catch on with anybody.”The Falcons signed Tatupu, who also visited the Saints and Titans, to a two-year contract after being assured he was healthy. Tatupu said his body feels “amazing” after his first season without football in 23 years. He also said he is mentally refreshed and ready for the added responsibilities of the middle linebacker position.“We understand that he was out for a year, but at times players can benefit from being out for a year given the situation that he had,” Dimitroff said.While Tatupu stayed in shape waiting for another chance, he said he told his wife he would retire if the phone stayed silent. It did not. There is still gas in the tank of the 29-year-old who was a first-team All-Pro in 2007. There is still something to prove.“I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder because they told me I didn’t belong in this league in the first place,” Tatupu said. “I’m not worried about that. You’re going to always have your critics. I always enjoy listening to what they say and proving them wrong. I’m not on a personal vendetta of any sort, I’m just here to play ball as best as I possibly can.”During his season away from the game, Tatupu stayed in touch by adding satellite TV and the NFL package. This despite the fact his home was equipped with cable TV.“As a fan of football, the first few games are tough to stomach because you’re not out there,” Tatupu said. “As a competitor and as a man, you feel like that’s your spot and that’s where you’re supposed to be. That was hard. I’m not going to lie and say that it wasn’t.“Definitely I had fun calling out plays that I knew were coming and they did come — just from previous years of playing against a team or an offensive coordinator and knowing their tendencies.”Tatupu had 410 tackles, 10 interceptions and seven forced fumbles during his career with the Seahawks. Competing for the starting middle linebacker job in the Falcons’ 4-3 defense, he will be asked to replace Lofton, who had 351 tackles in his four seasons with the Falcons. That’s fine with Tatupu, who counts hitting as one of the things he missed the most while out of the game.“That was probably the toughest part, not being able to take your aggression out,” he said. “Just everyday aggression you get to get out in practice. [being] a regular civilian was kind of tough.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razrtalon Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Can't wait to see him play in a falcons Jersey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txfalconfan Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 That's great. A guy with a chip on his shoulder who is out to prove he can still play at a probowl level. I hope he does it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magic Man Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Between him having something to prove, Spoon being Spoon and Asante being who he is, I like the fire this defense could potentially have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpoonSmacked Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 “We were very interested in having a guy who was going to add an element of grit, passion, fire and football knowledge that could be very beneficial to our defense,”That quote speaks volumes to me. After adding him, Nolan, and Asante I feel like our defense will finally start punching back after getting hit in the mouth. Last year they just bent over and acted like ******* when an offense brough it to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcanuck Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Between him having something to prove, Spoon being Spoon and Asante being who he is, I like the fire this defense could potentially have.You forgot Dunta launching into unsuspecting WRs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpoonSmacked Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 You forgot Dunta launching into unsuspecting WRs!Don't forget William Moore and Nic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcanuck Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Don't forget William Moore and Nic.And Kroy getting his yearly pick-6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewtonLaws Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 I love it! I hope he can play like his old self. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpoonSmacked Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 And Kroy getting his yearly pick-6.We finally have alot of guys that play with fire and intensity. Hopefully our defense can finally intimidate offenses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadyman Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 I love that he has a chip on his shoulder and can't remember when I have been this excited to see what the defense looks like on the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TheIdowu Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 As has been said numerous times on this board, if BVG, who many consider was in over his head as an NFL DC, was able to improve our defense season after season with essentially the same core, imagine what Nolan can do AND with the enhancements we made (Asante, Dunta to slot possibly, Spoon on the rise, new scheme, etc.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcanuck Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 As has been said numerous times on this board, if BVG, who many consider was in over his head as an NFL DC, was able to improve our defense season after season with essentially the same core, imagine what Nolan can do AND with the enhancements we made (Asante, Dunta to slot possibly, Spoon on the rise, new scheme, etc.)Let's just say I'll be drafting the ATL defence before my kicker in fantasy this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattbob_Icepants Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Man if we can get that old Seahwks tatupu back we've really upgraded the position at least for now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Carasik Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 If Tatupu is fully healthy and back to form, he would actually be an upgrade over Lofton. If the Falcons end up actually upgrading the MLB spot with Tatupu, people around the NFL will think it's insane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbrinson Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 If Tatupu can play at OK we might have a top 5 defense. All we need is him to play good in coverage which is something Lofton couldn't do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abcranford2 Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 this falcons D could be scary...such a good feeling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Statick Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 I can't see why Tatupu can't get back to his old Pro Bowl form. With his talent and Nolan calling the defense, it's only a matter of time before we'll all be expecting cool consistency from this defense and, ultimately, this team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobkowski Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 this falcons D could be scary...such a good feelingain't it though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpoonSmacked Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 This article says he missed time because of concussions, pectoral, and hamstring issues. It doesn't say anything about a knee injury. Does he really have bad knees because that's what I keep hearing on this board? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuantumFalconz Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 No love for Abe,Babs and Peters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconinPA Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 I hope he can get back close to his old form. The defense would be sick . But I am a man of history and most of these type of pickups that the Falcons have added over the years, have produced very little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobkowski Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 This article says he missed time because of concussions, pectoral, and hamstring issues. It doesn't say anything about a knee injury. Does he really have bad knees because that's what I keep hearing on this board?Actually, the article says he didn't lose time from concussions but from peck and hams. Lofton was the one with bad knees Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandiegofalcon Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 The best part is that even the trolls around here won't even bother bashing this year's defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpoonSmacked Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Actually, the article says he didn't lose time from concussions but from peck and hams. Lofton was the one with bad kneesI know about Lofton but after we signed Lofa some people were saying his knees were worse than Lofton's. If the reason he missed time was a pec and hamstring as opposed to bad knees, then he is much more likely to return to his old self. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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