Lofa

Tatupu

The Raiders are set at middle linebacker with Rolando McClain, but they’ve also tinkered with 3-4 alignments in recent seasons. Tatupu could stay inside in that kind of scheme, and McClain has experience in the 3-4 from Alabama. The pass-rushing outside linebackers could be Kam Wimbley and Quentin Groves.

Tatupu visited with the Raiders shortly after being released by the Seahawks, but he knows Rolando McClain is locked into the middle linebacker gig. He’d be a situational player in Oakland. Tatupu may be waiting for an injury to strike so he can get a shot at a starting job.

Tatupu had both of his knees surgically repaired before the season, and we suspect he was unable to pass physicals in team tryouts. “It was just injury-related,” the source said. “He wasn’t 100 percent and didn’t feel he was ready to go.” Tatupu is still only 29 and plans to make a comeback in 2012. The Bears, Redskins, and Raiders showed interest in Tatupu last offseason.

Tatupu has an extensive history of both knee injuries and concussions. His knees were reportedly the reason he sat out in 2011. Tatupu visited the Saints and Titans last week, but does not appear to be on the verge of signing a contract.

Tatupu had visited the Saints and Titans last month. Expected to lose Curtis Lofton to free agency, the Falcons are looking for low-cost alternatives. Tatupu will have to prove to interested teams that he’s over his knee troubles of the past couple of years.

It’s likely an incentive-laden, one-year deal after Tatupu was unable to get on the field in 2011 coming off of twin knee surgeries. He worked out for the Saints and Titans before visiting the Falcons on Friday. His signing all but assures MLB Curtis Lofton will be allowed to walk in free agency. Released by the Seahawks on the eve of training camp last summer, Pro Football Focus rated Tatupu as one of the league’s worst linebackers in 2010. He’ll turn 30 in November.

Smith labeled the competition “wide open.” While Dent has the fresher legs, Smith indicated that Tatupu’s workout for the Falcons was “really strong,” with good change-of-direction ability. The winner will likely be limited to early downs.

The Saints were not one of the teams to show interest in Tatupu after he was released last summer, but are the first club he’s visited since announcing his intentions to play in 2012. He’d provide insurance at middle linebacker after Jonathan Vilma was limited to 11 games by a knee injury in 2011.

Titans GM Ruston Webster mentioned the defensive front seven as a top offseason priority. Tatupu would provide veteran insurance for Tennessee’s young linebacking corps. The 29-year-old had visited the Saints on Monday.

A camp battle with Akeem Dent is forthcoming, but the Falcons are giving the more experienced player the first shot. Tatupu, 29, missed last season due to chronic knee problems. He doesn’t appear to have any lingering issues. The winner will likely only be a two-down ‘backer, so there is limited IDP appeal here.