RYNE Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 I am just kind of curious as to who you guys think will win this battle? The Middle Linebacker position on our team kind of concerns me. I am hoping that Dent is able to step up and take control of it. I am wondering what some of you people who had the privilege of going to OTA's opinions on how they looked out there are. I have read a lot of stuff where columnists were saying Tatupu looked like he was carrying a refrigerator on his back out there? Any truth to that????? Just looking for some insight if anyone has any to offer. Obviously it will make a huge difference in determining who wins out once the pads come on though. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcanuck Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 Tatupu. Islanders are crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC Falcon Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 Better for the organization if Dent can win it since he is young and will get even better. If Tatupa wins he will be ok, but is older and not going to improve from where he already is.That said I have no idea how Dent is doing and nobody will until they strap on the war bonnets and hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clark Kent™ Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Better for the organization if Dent can win it since he is young and will get even better. If Tatupa wins he will be ok, but is older and not going to improve from where he already is.That said I have no idea how Dent is doing and nobody will until they strap on the war bonnets and hit.I don't think its necessarily better if Dent wins. Whoever wins will be the best player. I think it will be Dent, but you never know because Tatupu's experience could play a big factor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuggle'2 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I think they both have a lot of upside. I really hope who ever wins shows up big time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thiccolas Cage Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Yeah, does anybody know who is doing what out there on the field? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayOzOne Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Training camp starts in 18 days. It's almost here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-Wall Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Tatupu is only 28/29 so he isn't old. I bet we see them both on the field at the sametime. I still believe Tatupu will be the starter but Dent will still get enough snaps to be a factor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonnyjim Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Dent's excellence on ST will mitigate against him starting game one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xSICKxWITHxITx Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I am just kind of curious as to who you guys think will win this battle? The Middle Linebacker position on our team kind of concerns me. I am hoping that Dent is able to step up and take control of it. I am wondering what some of you people who had the privilege of going to OTA's opinions on how they looked out there are. I have read a lot of stuff where columnists were saying Tatupu looked like he was carrying a refrigerator on his back out there? Any truth to that????? Just looking for some insight if anyone has any to offer. Obviously it will make a huge difference in determining who wins out once the pads come on though. Thoughts?Refrigerator comment was a couple seasons ago when he wasn't healthy. As far as I know he's completely healthy and looks good. Not sure if he's the same Pro Bowl player he was, but not sure why he can't be. If he is he will definitely win. He would of beat Lofton out if he was the same player. I like Dent and think he can be what Lofton was as far as a down hill thumper who's good in the run game. Nolan likes guys who are good in coverage like Karlos Dansby so I don't see Dent playing a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RYNE Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 (edited) q Edited July 9, 2012 by RYNE15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xSICKxWITHxITx Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 There is an article on NFL.com about Tatupu that says he isn't completely sure if he is even going to play this season? WtfWas prob before he got picked up by us. He's stated before he really wanted to play for certain teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RYNE Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 Was prob before he got picked up by us. He's stated before he really wanted to play for certain teams.Sorry I got that wrong. I tried to get rid of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RYNE Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 Refrigerator comment was a couple seasons ago when he wasn't healthy. As far as I know he's completely healthy and looks good. Not sure if he's the same Pro Bowl player he was, but not sure why he can't be. If he is he will definitely win. He would of beat Lofton out if he was the same player. I like Dent and think he can be what Lofton was as far as a down hill thumper who's good in the run game. Nolan likes guys who are good in coverage like Karlos Dansby so I don't see Dent playing a lot.YOu are right. After I reread that article it was saying when they last saw Tatupu play, which they were referring to a few years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xSICKxWITHxITx Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Sorry I got that wrong. I tried to get rid of itIt's cool.Did you see my post above replying to you about the Fridge comment? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steel City Falcon Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I'd personally like to see Tatupu win it this year and Dent continue to play ST. It would be nice to see both of them on the field at the same time during some 34 looks. Then next year Dent can possibly fully take over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Tatupu. I think he's stronger than ever, refreshed, and still pretty fast and good in coverage.Just Dent's second year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RYNE Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 It's cool.Did you see my post above replying to you about the Fridge comment?Yup i did. you were right again ^ i got ya up there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fibonacci Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I thought Tatupu was going to win in the long run. But based on the mini camp, Dent was hands down the better guy on the field. but lets see how he is with the pads on.Adkins was another guy to impress me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xSICKxWITHxITx Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I thought Tatupu was going to win in the long run. But based on the mini camp, Dent was hands down the better guy on the field. but lets see how he is with the pads on.Adkins was another guy to impress me.How so? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC Falcon Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Let me expand my comment about Dent would be better for the team.It assumes that Dent wins the start if and only if he is in fact the better player. I always want the best guy right now to be the one on the field.If Dent wins the start in only his 2d year, he should improve even more- much like Spoon was ok as a rookie but is even better now.If Lofa wins, he is the best guy now, but would not improve with experience because he already has it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xSICKxWITHxITx Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 (edited) NFL.comIf Lofa Tatupu plays with added vigor at training camp for the Atlanta Falcons , it makes sense. After all, it wasn't so long ago he believed his career was over. Tatupu was a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker for the Seahawks, but when the team released him last year, the phone didn't ring. Tatupu stopped working out eventually, and began thinking about sending in his retirement papers to the NFL.A phone call from the Atlanta Falcons changed all that. Tatupu signed a two-year, $3.6 million deal with the Falcons in March, and he'll have a legitimate shot at a starting middle linebacker role in training camp. "I'm excited about the whole process and just being back playing ball again," Tatupu, 29, told The Boston Globe in Sunday's edition. "You've got to knock a little rust off, but for the most part it's second nature, especially as a middle linebacker. You're supposed to know what everybody is doing. You're supposed to be the field general. From that standpoint, I really wasn't taken aback by it. I just come in and do what I do." The offseason departure of Curtis Lofton to the New Orleans Saints left a void in the Falcons' linebacker corps. If Tatupu can shake off the rust and perform at a level similar to his best years in Seattle, don't be surprised if he beats out Akeem Dent , the 2011 third-round pick who currently stands as his main competition. Tatupu has extra incentive to win the position battle, too, as he could receive a $1.25 million bonus based on '12 playing time, a source with knowledge of Tatupu's deal told our Brian McIntyre on Sunday. Tatupu's body is just as big a challenger as Dent. The end of his Seattle run was marked by a succession of injuries, including concussion issues, and he missed time in OTAs with a strained hamstring. Tatupu's comeback story won't have a happy ending if he can't stay on the field. Edited July 9, 2012 by xSICKxWITHxITx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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