Lofa Tatupu cut by Seahawks

[fyo]

Tatupu. LB. Defensive captain. 28 years old. 3 straight pro bowls. Minor knee problems last year requiring scoping this off season (successfully done right after the season). Only missed a few practices due to his knees (started all 16 games and 2 postseason games).

The 'hawks tried to restructure his contract, but he wouldn't take a pay cut.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d821207f6/article/seahawks-expected-to-release-tatupu-after-lb-refuses-pay-cut?module=HP11_headline_stack

(Source for the actual cut: http://twitter.com/#!/AdamSchefter/statuses/97729323749998593 )

[mecadonzilla]

Ummm...is it possible for the Dolphins to look at Lofa?  Seems like a pipe dream this guy is on the market.  I have no idea if he fits our scheme, but he's been the entire Seahawks defense for the last few seasons.

Besides, Pats fans could see Mosi's son play more often if he signed in Miami.

[fyo]

I haven't watched much Seahawks football over the years, but from what little I have managed to see, he's a classic middle linebacker. The Seahawks run a 4-3 defense and the middle linebacker has a bit of a different role than a typical 3-4 inside linebacker.

From what I gather elsewhere, Tatupu was slowed a bit by the knees last season. He's also getting dinged for a torn pec in 2009, that cost him most of the season. However, he's only missed one other game in his 7 years. That's very, very solid -- and, medically, the torn pec is just a freak accident. The worrying issue is that of his knees. A scoping isn't usually bad and certainly nowhere near blowing an ACL, but if it slowed him last year, you have to wonder if he's past his prime.

Anyway, that's for a medical staff to decide.

Personally, I'd love for us to bring him in and have the docs look him over. I think there's every reason to believe he has several seasons left at a high level. Maybe not pro bowl level, but still...

Modified to add: His contract wasn't for "pro bowl" money... about $4.5M this year.