Lions' Tulloch Looks To Put 2014 Behind Him, Says 'I Know That I'm Back'
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch had not missed a game in his NFL career before an ACL tear in the third game of the 2014 season ended what Tulloch thought could have been his best year ever. The player who filled in for Tulloch, the younger and much less expensive Tahir Whitehead, played so well that some speculated the Lions might release Tulloch.
Tulloch did not expect Detroit to cut him loose, but he said he appreciated it when the team brass confirmed to him that the Lions would indeed be keeping him around.
"Obviously I know how the business is," Tulloch said. "I've been around this league a long time, I've seen guys come and go throughout my career - great players - due to injuries or poor performance. I know the realization of the business. To have Coach Caldwell, [general manager] Martin Mayhew and those guys, [team president] Tom Lewand, give me confirmation that I'm part of this team, it speaks to the level of respect that they have for me as a player and as a human being to be able to let me know not to worry about nothing, I'll be back, just to get healthy."
Lions wide receiver Golden Tate, who was on the podium with Tulloch after practice Wednesday to promote the linebacker's annual charity softball game, made a point to note how Tulloch contributed to the Lions even though he could not play.
"At the end of the day, he keeps our locker room together," Tate said. "Even when he wasn't playing ... he was keeping us together, setting up events for us to hang out. I know last year a few times we would go up to Lucky Strike or a bowling alley because he set up something up for us to watch the game and just build camaraderie.
"He helps this locker room stick together, and we gel because of what he does in the locker room," Tate continued, "so I hope he's not going anywhere any time soon."
Tulloch was not a full participant in the Wednesday practice open to media, but he said he is healthy.
"Coach Caldwell and Coach Teryl Austin didn't want me to really get into [the details], but I am able to go out there and run around and practice," Tulloch said. "The team, organization doesn't want me to do too much right now, they're ... letting things play out, I guess, but I know that I'm back. I'm healthy. Like I said, 2014's over, and I'm ready to roll."
The linebacker touched briefly on what could have been in 2014, but he quickly shifted his focus to the upcoming season.
"I was probably off to the best start of my career, to be honest with you," Tulloch said. "But I had a chance to rest my body, obviously, rehab my knee, get back healthy again, and I feel good. I'm like a kid out here all over again, all smiles when I walk on this field. Like I said, I'm very thankful to be back out here again and be able to help lead this team in the right direction."
