Just one day after being released by the Lions, linebacker Stephen Tulloch is being linked to other clubs, at least speculatively. One potential destination that would seem to make quite a bit of sense of the surface is the Eagles, as Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com writes. Tulloch played under new Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz in Detroit, and the Eagles have a need for depth at the linebacker position, as the unit is pretty thin after starters Mychal Kendricks, Nigel Bradham, and Jordan Hicks. But another NFC East team could also be on Tulloch’s radar, as James Kratch of NJ.com explains that the Cowboys are also on the lookout for linebacking help, especially after news broke that Dallas linebacker Rolando McClain will be serving a 10-game suspension. The Lions reportedly waited until Tulloch could pass a physical before cutting him, and although that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s fully healthy (it usually requires a major injury to fail a physical), interested clubs can take solace in the fact that Tulloch should presumably be ready for training camp.
Here’s more out of the NFC East:
- The Giants haven’t been mentioned as a suitor for Tulloch, but they do have a relatively unsettled situation at linebacker, as Kratch writes in a reader mailbag. Devon Kennard and Jasper Brinkley are expected to start, but Kratch believes that J.T. Thomas — who last spring signed a three-year deal that contained $4.5MM guaranteed — could be a surprise cut. Kelvin Sheppard, whom New York added this offseason on a one-year, minimum salary benefit contract, could also be released, but the Giants are likely to retain reserve ‘backer Mark Herzlich, who is reportedly viewed as a locker room leader. As Roster Resource details, Big Blue also fields Keenan Robinson (who received $1MM guaranteed this offseason), Jonathan Casillas, and rookie B.J. Goodson at linebacker.
- Although they ultimately selected receiver Josh Doctson earlier this year, the Redskins had defensive line and center ranked as higher needs heading into the draft, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post. Connecting the dots, that means the Redskins may have been interested in players such as Sheldon Rankins and Ryan Kelly, who were chosen 12th and 18th overall, respectively. Washington might have also simply had a higher grade on Docston than any other individual player remaining on its board, even if the club didn’t consider wide receiver to be a high priority position.
- Earlier today, we learned that former Giants first-round pick Kenny Phillips was officially hanging up his cleats. Phillips, 29, spent six seasons in the NFL, and spent time with the Saints and Eagles in addition to New York.