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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Lions Sign Andre Roberts

June 13th, 2016 at 8:50am CST by Zachary Links

The Lions have agreed to sign wide receiver Andre Roberts, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Terms of the deal are not yet known. "<strong

[RELATED: Anquan Boldin Visiting Lions]

The 28-year-old visited the Lions and Saints in the past week, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. He also visited the Bills last month, though his other stops did not result in any deals. The Lions, Caplan tweets, see Roberts as a player with the ability to play both slot and outside in their offense. He’s also capable of returning punts and kicks. The Lions are looking to build depth at wide receiver after Corey Fuller suffered a broken foot.

Roberts has been on the open market ever since he was released by the Redskins back in May. The wide receiver arrived in Washington when he inked four-year, $16MM contract with Washington in 2014 with the expectation that he would serve as the team’s No. 2 receiver next to Pierre Garcon. Soon after, however, DeSean Jackson unexpectedly became available and Washington swooped in to make him a focal point of their offense. Upon being relegated to the No. 3 WR role, Roberts expressed frustration, but his slide did not stop there.

Last season, Roberts appeared in 9 games (zero starts) and caught a career-low 11 passes for 135 yards. Roberts first made a name for himself in 2012 when he stepped out of Larry Fitzgerald‘s shadow in Arizona to haul in 64 catches for 759 yards and five touchdowns. In every year since, he has seen his targets, receptions, and yards decline.

Interestingly, news of a deal between the Lions and Roberts comes on the heels of Anquan Boldin visiting the team. It’s not immediately clear whether Boldin still fits into the equation for Detroit. If so, there could be a notable name or two displaced.

Recently, PFR’s own Dallas Robinson identified the Lions as a possible fit for Roberts.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Anquan Boldin Visiting Lions

June 13th, 2016 at 8:41am CST by Zachary Links

The Lions are hosting Anquan Boldin on a visit today, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Boldin has history with Lions head coach Jim Caldwell thanks to their time together in Baltimore. "<strong

[RELATED: Lions Notes: Orlovsky, Washington, Carter]

Boldin, 35, has reportedly been working out in South Florida and staying in shape as he waits for the right opportunity. Even though he has enjoyed a long career and even has a Super Bowl ring, the veteran has said that he is not thinking about retirement right now. Last season, Boldin recorded only 69 catches for 789 yards and four touchdowns, so he’s probably looking to go out with a stronger campaign. Boldin’s struggles, in large part, can be attributed to the turmoil surrounding the 49ers and their difficulties at quarterback last year.

The Lions already have eleven wide receivers under contract, though Boldin could easily supplant some of the team’s current options there. Behind Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, T.J. Jones, and Jeremy Kerley, Andre Caldwell seems pretty likely to make the team’s final cut. Other than him, the likes of Corey Fuller and Jace Billingsley figure to be on the bubble.

After joining the 49ers in 2013, Boldin posted consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, with 12 total touchdowns in ’13 and ’14. Over the course of his career, Boldin has made three Pro Bowls while racking up 13,195 yards off of 1,009 catches with 74 touchdowns.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Lions Notes: Orlovsky, Washington, Carter

June 12th, 2016 at 12:28pm CST by Rory Parks

Well-traveled backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky re-signed with the Lions this offseason after spending 2015 as the team’s No. 2 signal-caller behind Matthew Stafford. However, the Lions drafted Michigan’s Jake Rudock in the sixth round of this year’s draft–the first time Detroit has drafted a QB since selecting Stafford himself in 2009–and that selection immediately put Orlovsky’s job in jeopardy. After all, new GM Bob Quinn was raised in a Patriots system that typically keeps just two quarterbacks, and rarely has the backup been a veteran.

But Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press writes that both head coach Jim Caldwell and OC Jim Bob Cooter sang Orlovsky’s praises after the conclusion of OTAs on Thursday, and as Rudock is a fairly raw prospect, the Lions may wind up keeping three quarterbacks in 2016, or even trying to stash Rudock on the practice squad. In any event, it is far too early to count Orlovsky out of the picture.

Now for more from the Motor City:

  • Detroit selected running back Dwayne Washington in the seventh round of this year’s draft, but because NFL policy prohibits college players from practicing with their new teams until their academic year is over, Washington’s first OTA practice on Thursday was the team’s last OTA practice, which puts him at a major disadvantage. However, as Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com writes, Washington’s speed was on full display on Thursday, and Washington himself indicated that the practice went as well as could be expected.
  • Speaking of Washington, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com says the former University of Washington Husky could insert himself into the team’s running back equation, but if he had to handicap the RB race right now, Rothstein believes Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, Stevan Ridley, and Zach Zenner would make the club (although Ridley’s and Zenner’s spots are certainly up for grabs).
  • In the same piece, Rothstein says Alex Carter, last year’s third-round selection, is expected to be a significant part of the Lions’ cornerback rotation. Carter suffered an ankle injury during the early stages of training camp last season and did not play a single snap for Detroit, but Rothstein pegs him as the team’s No. 4 corner behind Darius Slay, Quandre Diggs, and Nevin Lawson.
  • We learned several days ago that Stephen Tulloch is still unsure as to whether he will be on the team in 2016, and we also learned that the Lions waived wideout Corey Washington with an injury designation.

La Canfora On Jim Caldwell's Job Security

June 10th, 2016 at 8:32pm CST by Connor J. Byrne
  • Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports examined the job security of each NFL head coach entering the season. In La Canfora’s estimation, Rex Ryan (Bills), Gus Bradley (Jaguars), Jim Caldwell (Lions), Mike McCoy (Chargers), Marvin Lewis (Bengals), Bill O’Brien (Texans) and Jason Garrett (Cowboys) are the least secure coaches going into this year. Of that group, two (Lewis and O’Brien) were at the helm of playoff teams last season. Ryan has only been in Buffalo for a year, making him the shortest-tenured member of the septet.
  • Free agent running back Joique Bell told SiriusXM NFL Radio (audio link) on Friday that a few teams are interested in signing him. Bell added that he hopes to join his next team in July. The 29-year-old, who stated last week that he has “two or three offers on the table,” has been on the market since the Lions cut him in February.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/10/16

June 10th, 2016 at 4:10pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

  • The Lions have waived wide receiver Corey Washington with an injury designation, reports ESPN’s Michael Rothstein. Washington, who caught five passes with the Giants in 2014, spent last season on the Lions’ practice squad.
  • The Patriots have waived/injured tight end Michael Williams, according to Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com (Twitter link). Williams, who suffered a torn ACL on Wednesday, will revert to IR if he clears waivers.
  • The Chiefs (Twitter link) announced that they have signed defensive back Bryce Cheek and waived safety Peni Vea.
  • The Cowboys announced that they have waived cornerback Terrance Mitchell, who had one of their two interceptions by cornerbacks last season. The move is slightly surprising because Jason Garrett spoke highly of Mitchell earlier in the offseason, ESPN.com’s Todd Archer observes (Twitter link).
  • The Cowboys also waived cornerback Brandon McGee with an injury designation.

Lions Notes: Tulloch, Riddick

June 9th, 2016 at 12:22pm CST by Zachary Links

Linebacker Stephen Tulloch still isn’t sure whether he’ll be a member of the Lions going forward. “My gut is we’ve got to wait and find out. Couple more days. We’ll see,” Tulloch said (Twitter link via Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press). The veteran was told in February he wouldn’t be part of the team, but he remains on the team’s roster today. The 31-year-old has spent the last five years with Detroit.

  • Giovani Bernard‘s new contract with the Bengals should bode well for Lions running back Theo Riddick, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com writes. Bernard, who agreed to a three-year, $15.5MM extension, is a more balanced tailback than Riddick, but the Lions back may offer more in the way of pass-catching value. Last season, Riddick caught 80 passes for 697 yards and three scores. Riddick can’t run like Bernard, so he probably won’t match him in terms of money, but the deal does give his agents a decent comp to work off of. Age is also working in the Notre Dame product’s favor as he only just turned 25 in May.

Lions Hosting Kroy Biermann On Visit

June 8th, 2016 at 8:36am CST by Zachary Links

The Lions are hosting veteran Kroy Biermann on a visit today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). To date, the edge defender has spent all eight of his NFL seasons with the Falcons. Kroy Biermann (vertical)

Last season, Biermann was expected to be a contributor in the defense rolled out by new Atlanta coach Dan Quinn. However, Biermann wound up being relegated to a smaller role and made zero starts after starting in 15 contests the previous year. For the year, Biermann recorded 51 total tackles and 2.5 sacks. In total, Biermann was on the field for less than 50% of the team’s defensive snaps.

Biermann offers experience at both defensive end and linebacker, but Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears that Detroit is looking at him as a defensive end. If Detroit signs Biermann, he’ll join a group of bookends that includes Ziggy Ansah, Devin Taylor, and former Cincinnati defensive end Wallace Gilberry.

In 2014, the 30-year-old started a career-high 15 games for the Falcons, racking up 77 tackles and 4.5 sacks to go along with a forced fumble. The numbers showed that he was an above-average run defender and held his own as a pass rusher. He’ll try to get back to that level of play in 2016, potentially in Detroit.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Lions Sign Damian Copeland, Cut Andrew Zeller

June 7th, 2016 at 7:26pm CST by Zachary Links

NFC North Notes: Vikings, Lions, Tulloch, Cook

June 6th, 2016 at 4:33pm CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings‘ draft strategy means that there will be more big contracts following Harrison Smith‘s payday, Ben Goessling of ESPN.com writes. Between now and March 2017, the Vikings will have to determine whether they want to stay in business with left tackle Matt Kalil. Beyond him, cornerback Xavier Rhodes and defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd will play out their fifth-year options in 2017. In 2018, the Vikings will have to make decisions on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and linebacker Anthony Barr. This could make for some tough calls but, then again, it’s a good problem to have when your draft picks work out well.

Here’s more from the NFC North:

  • On Monday, Lions GM Bob Quinn declined to provide reporters with an update on Stephen Tulloch‘s status with the team (link via ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein). The veteran was told in February he wouldn’t be part of the team, but as of this writing he is still on the roster.
  • Packers coach Mike McCarthy says he has “no long-term concern” with Jared Cook‘s situation, Michael Cohen of the Journal Sentinel writes. Cook had foot surgery earlier this week and will be sidelined at least until training camp, but it sounds like he’ll be back on the field before long.
  • After using first-round picks on offensive linemen Taylor Decker and Laken Tomlinson, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com is optimistic about the Lions‘ run game in 2016. The Lions also added Stevan Ridley in free agent to help round out the running game. Of course, a lot will hinge on second-year player Ameer Abdullah returning healthy.
  • The Lions seemingly drafted long snapper Don Muhlbach‘s replacement this year, but he’s not going to cede his job without a fight, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes. “I’m like, ‘I didn’t get fired,’” Muhlbach said when asked about sixth-round pick Jimmy Landes. “I’m still there. I’m not going to leave just now….I still think I’m OK. I want to play some more. My body feels fine, so I’d like to keep going.”
  • The Bears inked third-round defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard earlier today, meaning that every player in their 2016 class is now under contract.

Lions Happy With Reiff At RT

June 6th, 2016 at 11:19am CST by Zachary Links
  • The Lions are pleased with Riley Reiff‘s move to right tackle, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com writes. Reiff, a 2012 first-round pick, was previously playing at left tackle and he’s now being asked to change positions in a contract year. In 2014, Reiff’s Pro Football Focus grade placed him in a tie for 23rd out of 84 qualified offensive tackles. Last year, PFF’s numbers (subscription required) ranked him No. 39 out of 77 qualified tackles.
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