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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Lions Not Ruling Out Adrian Peterson

March 27th, 2017 at 8:38pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Lions haven’t added any running backs this offseason to a stable that was among the NFL’s worst in 2016, but a prominent rusher could be on the way. Lions general manager Bob Quinn indicated Monday that he’s open to signing longtime NFC North rival Adrian Peterson, per Justin Rogers of the Detroit News.

Adrian Peterson (vertical)

“I think AP still has plenty left in the tank,” Quinn said of the former Viking and current free agent. “We’ll see how it goes.”

While Detroit only has roughly $8.4MM in cap space, which could make a Peterson addition difficult, the team’s nonetheless “definitely still open for business in terms of free agency,” according to Quinn.

Quinn’s the first executive who has publicly expressed an openness to signing Peterson during what has been a disappointing offseason for the seven-time Pro Bowler. Several rumored suitors – the Texans, Patriots, Raiders, Giants – have shown little to no interest in Peterson since the Vikings declined his option in late February. Minnesota, which conceivably could have brought Peterson back at a lower price, then went in a different direction by picking up Latavius Murray. And another NFC North club, the running back-needy Packers, aren’t planning to meet with Peterson in the near future.

A few factors working against Peterson are his age (32), the injury-marred 2016 he endured, and a reportedly high asking price. But Peterson has disputed that he’s demanding too much money, and he’s now hoping to join a contender. Having made the playoffs last season, the Lions would seemingly fit the bill.

Detroit won nine games and got to the postseason despite posting the league’s sixth-worst yards-per-carry average (3.7), though it did go without the banged-up Ameer Abdullah for all but two games. Peterson, meanwhile, tore his meniscus in Week 2 and only played in three cntests. The seven-time 1,200-yard man and 2012 MVP was far from his usual self during that limited action, as he registered a paltry 1.9 YPC over 37 carries. However, Peterson won the league’s rushing title just two seasons ago, so it’s possible a healthier version in 2017 would jump-start the Lions’ backfield if they were to sign him.

Latest On Colin Kaepernick

March 27th, 2017 at 6:29pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

While it’s possible that free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick‘s polarizing views have contributed to his inability to find a job this offseason, at least one team wouldn’t let his politics stand in the way of a deal. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam revealed Monday that he’d be open to adding Kaepernick, reports Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com.

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“If football people came and recommended [him], we’d go with the football people,” said Haslam, though he noted that he and his co-owner and wife, Dee, “have not been involved in any conversations regarding Colin Kaepernick.”

Head coach Hue Jackson has chased Kaepernick in the past, and the Browns’ current veteran QB – Brock Osweiler – might not be on their roster next season. However, Jackson echoed Haslam’s sentiment in telling the NFL Network on Monday that the Browns haven’t had “any discussion” regarding Kaepernick.

Like the Browns, the Broncos also gone after Kaepernick before, but they no longer view him as a fit for their offense (and they like the QBs they have on hand), according to general manager John Elway (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of USA Today). The potentially backup-needy Lions don’t think Kaepernick is a match for their system, either, per GM Bob Quinn (Twitter link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).

Having drawn no interest from teams in need of a No. 1 passer, it’s clear the 29-year-old Kaepernick, a longtime starter, will have to settle for a reserve role – if anyone signs him. One team that could be in the market for a backup is Seattle, whose No. 2 option, Trevone Boykin, is facing two misdemeanor charges stemming from a weekend arrest.

The 23-year-old Boykin could easily continue with the Seahawks, but it’s worth noting that Kaepernick has a high opinion of head coach Pete Carroll, a source told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The two are quite familiar with each other, of course, as Kaepernick spent the first six years of his career with NFC West rival San Francisco and engaged in some memorable tilts with the Seahawks when he was a quality starter and the 49ers were contenders. It’s unclear, though, if Carroll is bullish on Kaepernick or if he’d be willing to ditch Boykin. What is clear, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, is that the Seahawks don’t want to invest much money in a backup for Russell Wilson. That could rule out any chance of a Kaepernick-Seahawks union.

Theo Riddick Had Surgery On Both Wrists

March 26th, 2017 at 4:41pm CST by Dallas Robinson
  • Lions running back Theo Riddick had surgery on both wrists near the end of last season, reports Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, who adds those operations forced Riddick to be placed on injured reserve in December. Riddick, who still managed 53 receptions in an injury-shortened 2016 campaign, is expected to be available for the beginning of OTAs. Detroit is still expected to upgrade its backfield this offseason, meaning the club could target options either through free agency (where a number of backs are still unsigned) or the draft.

Lions Eyeing Utah O-Lineman

March 25th, 2017 at 11:12am CST by Ben Levine
  • There were a number of offensive line coaches at Utah’s Pro Day, including staff from the Jets, Browns, Jaguars, and Lions. Offensive tackle Sam Tevi was impressive during the workouts, and the big man has drawn particular interest from both the Saints and Patriots.

    [SOURCE LINK]

Details On Jordan Hill's Contract

March 23rd, 2017 at 10:01pm CST by Connor J. Byrne
  • Defensive tackle Jordan Hill‘s contract with the Lions is a minimum salary benefit deal worth $775K, tweets Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. The pact comes with $45K in guarantees, a $40K signing bonus, and another $40K if he makes the Lions’ 53-man roster.

Lions Interested In Moreau, Melifonwu, McKinley

March 22nd, 2017 at 8:13pm CST by Dallas Robinson
  • UConn safety Obi Melifonwu has meetings lined up with the Steelers, Seahawks, and Saints, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Meanwhile, Melifonwu met “extensively” with the Lions yesterday, and will also visit with the Panthers, according to Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com, who reports roughly 40% of NFL clubs view Melifonwu as a cornerback. Melifonwu, a four-year starter for the Huskies, posted four interceptions during the 2016 campaign.
  • Prior to possibly injuring his pectoral while bench pressing on Tuesday, UCLA cornerback Fabian Moreau spent time with the Lions, Dolphins, Saints, and Bengals, reports Pauline. Additionally, Moreau met with Cowboys defensive backs Joe Baker, per Pauline. Rob Rang of CBSSports.com projected Moreau as a back-end first round pick (and the third-best cornerback on the board) before news of his injury broke.
  • Moreau’s UCLA teammate, edge rusher Takkarist McKinley, will visit with the Browns in early April, per Courtney Fallon of NFL.com (Twitter link). After that, McKinley plans to meet with the Ravens, Steelers, Cowboys, and Lions, per Fallon. McKinley put up 10 sacks in 11 games for the Bruins in 2016.

Lions Re-Sign Armonty Bryant

March 21st, 2017 at 5:58pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Lions have re-signed defensive end Armonty Bryant, the club announced today. It’s a one-year, minimum salary benefit deal that comes with a $40K signing bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.Armonty Bryant (vertical)

Detroit claimed Bryant off waivers from the Browns last October, but a knee injury and a four-game PED suspension ensured he only played in five games with the club. During that span, Bryant managed three sacks on just 104 defensive snaps. Still only 26 years old, Bryant will compete for time at defensive end on a Lions team that hasn’t yet re-signed 2016 starter Devin Taylor.

Under the terms of the minimum salary benefit, Bryant will only count for $655K on Detroit’s salary cap despite earning $855K.

Lions Sign DT Jordan Hill

March 20th, 2017 at 9:45am CST by Zachary Links

The Lions announced that they have signed defensive Jordan Hill. Terms of the 26-year-old’s deal are not yet known.Jordan Hill (vertical)

Hill spent the first few years of his career with the Seahawks but was released from their IR in October. He later hooked on with the Redskins but was waived before he could ever take the field for D.C. The Jaguars quickly scooped him up and he wound up seeing time in four games for Jacksonville.

Hill had 5.5 sacks for the Seahawks in 2014 but he has yet to replicate that kind of production. For what it’s worth, Hill did get a solid 74.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in 2015.

The Lions are projected to start veteran Haloti Ngata and rising sophomore A’Shawn Robinson at the defensive tackle spots. Hill will hope to join free agent pickup Akeem Spence and the newly re-signed Khyri Thornton in support.

Lions Notes: Holmes, Boldin

March 18th, 2017 at 8:29pm CST by Dallas Robinson

While the Vikings made contact with free agent Andre Holmes before he signed with the Bills, Minnesota “never got serious” about inking the veteran pass-catcher, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN. The Lions had also been mentioned as a potential suitor for Holmes (and even had him in for a visit), but Detroit likely bowed out because Anquan Boldin may re-sign for the 2017 campaign, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link).

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