According to the Detroit Free Press, MLB Stephen Tulloch appears "most destined" of the Lions' in-house free agents to reach the open market.

The Lions have been trying to sign Tulloch to a long-term deal, but have made little headway. If Tulloch is allowed to walk, the Free Press expects the Lions to search for his replacement on the open market. Among the players expected to join Tulloch in a rich market for inside linebackers are Curtis Lofton, Dan Connor, David Hawthorne, London Fletcher and Joe Mays.

Profootballtalk.com reports that the Lions are "not close" to finalizing a deal with free agent MLB Stephen Tulloch.

The Lions' plan is to sign Tulloch long term and franchise tag Cliff Avril, but talks with Tulloch haven't reached a breakthrough point. Tulloch is a top-four free agent amongst a quietly rich inside linebacker market. The 27-year-old is expected to draw interest from the Eagles if he hits the free agent waters.

The Philadelphia Inquirer expects the Eagles to fill their middle linebacker need in free agency rather than the draft.

Boston College's Luke Kuechly is a popular mock draft pick for Philly, but they won't be taking him if they sign a veteran starter. The Inquirer suggests Stephen Tulloch, who has played behind Wide-9 schemes his entire career. The Eagles run the same system. "How [the Eagles] didn't get this guy last year is beyond me," said one NFL scout of Tulloch. "They may have to pay this time."

In addition to DE Cliff Avril, the Lions have begun contract talks with free agents MLB Stephen Tulloch, LT Jeff Backus, and CB Eric Wright.

Tulloch will certainly be seeking a long-term deal, but the inside linebacker market is flooded this year, increasing his chances of re-signing. While it's time for the Lions to find a long-term answer at left tackle, Backus is a good bet to return as the 2012 starter.

The Philadelphia Daily News suggests free agent MLB Stephen Tulloch as a potential offseason target for the Eagles.

The Eagles are desperate for linebackers that can shed blocks and tackle, and Tulloch has spent his entire career behind Wide-9 schemes. Having just turned 27, Tulloch is likely to pursue a long-term deal after playing on a one-year, $3.25 million contract in Detroit last season. The Lions also want him back.

Lions GM Martin Mayhew stated Thursday that he would "really like" to re-sign free agent MLB Stephen Tulloch.

The 2012 inside linebacker market is going to be exceptional, headlined by Tulloch, Atlanta's Curtis Lofton, Seattle's David Hawthorne, Carolina's Dan Connor, Cleveland's D'Qwell Jackson, Washington's London Fletcher, and Denver's Joe Mays. This could work in Detroit's favor. Tulloch, who turned 27 on New Years, played last season on a one-year, $3.25 million deal.

MLive.com considers it "highly unlikely" impending free agent MLB Stephen Tulloch will agree to another one-year contract.

Second in the NFL in tackles in 2010, Tulloch led the Lions in tackles this season after signing a one-year, $3.25 million deal. He's played under coach Jim Schwartz for four of his six years in the NFL.

The Detroit News suggests re-signing impending free agent Stephen Tulloch will be a priority for the Lions.

Tulloch played on a one-year, $3,25 million contract this season. He leads the team with 97 tackles and has played almost every down. Expect coach Jim Schwartz to push for his former Titans pupil to get a long-term deal in Detroit.

Stephen Tulloch started the Lions' preseason opener at middle linebacker, as expected.

DeAndre Levy moved to the weak side, and was the middle linebacker with Detroit's second-team defense. Levy could still be an IDP asset, but Tulloch is the Lions linebacker to target behind Ndamukong Suh and eventually Nick Fairley.

Stephen Tulloch took the field for the first time as a Lion Thursday, running as the first-team weak-side linebacker.

Justin Durant is on the strong side, and the middle linebacker spot still appears to be DeAndre Levy's. Tulloch has never played the weak side in his life, so this lineup grouping was not expected. It's possible Tulloch and Levy change places later on, but for now Levy is the linebacker to target in IDP leagues.

Lions signed MLB Stephen Tulloch.

MLive.com's Tom Kowalski insists the Lions aren't out of the running for free agent LB Stephen Tulloch.

The Detroit Free Press has been insisting otherwise. "Until Tulloch signs, the Lions are in play," writes Kowalski. We suppose Detroit will continue to be in the hunt because Kyle Vanden Bosch is personally pushing hard for Tulloch. It's still hard to imagine them matching their initial offer ($6 million annually, $10 million guaranteed) after signing Justin Durant.

The Eagles have no interest in free agent MLB Stephen Tulloch, a source tells CSN Philly's Reuben Frank.

Frank adds that the Eagles have minimal interest in free agent Nick Barnett. They are almost certainly in the market for linebacker help, but will likely add someone a tier down from these guys. The Eagles have plenty of confidence in Jamar Chaney as their long-term middle linebacker.

The Lions have reportedly dropped out of the running for free agent MLB Stephen Tulloch.

Tulloch should've taken Detroit's $6 million-a-year offer with $10 million guaranteed when he had the opportunity. We wouldn't expect him to get more elsewhere. The Lions moved on when they were able to secure Justin Durant late Wednesday night. The Eagles have some interest, and they just got some leverage.

FOX Sports' Adam Caplan is "hearing" that the Lions have offered free agent MLB Stephen Tulloch a contract worth roughly $6 million per year.

The National Football Post is reporting that the proposal contains $10 million guaranteed. The guarantees offered make it a plenty reasonable sum for an inside linebacker. The Eagles also have shown some interest in Tulloch, but it's pretty clear the Lions want him the most considering this price tag. Kyle Vanden Bosch has been trying to recruit his former Titans teammate.

The Lions are making a "hard push" for free agent MLB Stephen Tulloch, according to the National Football Post.

Tulloch knows coach Jim Schwartz from their time together in Tennessee and the Lions may not be sold on DeAndre Levy as a middle linebacker. Tulloch is a thumper that would get plenty of tackling opportunities behind Detroit's impressive defensive line. If Tulloch ends up with the Lions, Levy would likely fill their hole at weak-side linebacker.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press believes free agent MLB Stephen Tulloch is a realistic target for the Lions after the lockout.

"I think the Lions can make a play there," writes Birkett. Lions coach Jim Schwartz has a rapport with Tulloch from their time together in Nashville, and Tulloch would add more of a thumping presence inside than DeAndre Levy. In the event of a Tulloch signing, Levy would likely kick out to weak-side 'backer.

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, Titans MLB Stephen Tulloch is "likely out in Tennessee" as an impending unrestricted free agent.

The Titans reportedly fear Tulloch "will cost too much to keep," and they made contingency plans by drafting Miami (FL) ILB Colin McCarthy in April. WLB Will Witherspoon also has experience at middle 'backer, and Rennie Curran is another athletic option. Tulloch could wind up with old pal Jim Schwartz in Tennessee, or a middle linebacker-needy team like the Giants.

The Sporting News expects the Lions to "target" free agent LB Stephen Tulloch once the next CBA is finalized.

It's a sensible fit on paper. Tulloch doesn't expect to re-sign, as the Titans have been resistant to a long-term deal. Jim Schwartz coordinated Tulloch in Tennessee, and the Lions have a need at two starting linebacker spots. DeAndre Levy could move back outside, allowing Tulloch to handle the middle.

LB Stephen Tulloch - an unrestricted free agent this offseason - spoke post-game as if he had played his last down as a Titan.

"It's been a good five years here and I'm ready to see where my next five years are going to be at," said Tulloch. The IDP stud enters free agency under the watchful eye of agent Drew Rosenhaus and figures to be looking for a sizable multi-year contract. He's a long shot to return to the Titans with 2010 third-round pick Rennie Curran waiting in the wings.