Tulloch agreed to terms on a one-year contract on Monday believed to be worth $3 million and is expected to join the team in time for Tuesday’s practice.
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On the defensive side, coordinator Jim Schwartz is getting a similar lieutenant, as the Birds finally made a decision to pull the trigger and bring in middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch, a veteran with a multitude of experience playing for Schwartz in Detroit. He had ankle surgery during the offseason and the Lions released him as soon as he passed a physical on July 5.
As for the other linebackers in the 2006 draft, well, Tulloch was one of 15 linebackers taken in the fourth round or later in 2006. While led the Lions in tackles last season (107) and was good against the run, he struggled in coverage against tight ends and running backs.
That’s another reason Schwartz knows better than to worry about Tulloch: his age and experience. “You can’t make 10 years by being a try-hard guy”. I put that in scare quotes because I mean that he doesn’t appear to carry himself with a whole lot of energy.
Whether it’s playing catch-up with the playbook, asking Jordan Hicks or Najee Goode for advice, or staying late to work on technique with rookie seventh-round draft pick Joe Walker – who was the backup in the middle – Cherry has gone about his work seriously enough to impress teammates and coaches.
“(Schwartz) is bringing in his guy and he knows the scheme”, outside linebacker Mychal Kendricks said. Schwartz is now the Eagles’ defensive coordinator. “I heard he is a run stopper and you’ve got to put the run out, first”. He spent the entire 2015 National Football League season on Philadelphia’s practice squad before signing a futures contract with the Eagles early in 2016. He’ll bring great things.
Walker played very well on defense and special teams against Tampa Bay in the Eagles first preseason game. “I am just really eager to work with him”.
“I’ll leave you with this story”, Tulloch began.
Schwartz, though, saw something he liked in Tulloch. It’s the coaches’ job to find a way to get through to a player and get him to reach that upside. “It’s just a matter of putting the players in place to make plays and execute it”.
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“We wanted to give an opportunity to these young guys that we had”, Pederson said. We don’t go in with a whole lot of preconceived notions. Given the injury history of some of the Eagles’ starting linebackers, it will be wise to keep as much depth as possible.
