NFL fans were a bit surprised when Lions star wideout Calvin Johnson announced that he’d be hanging up his cleats. However, his quarterback could tell that the 30-year-old was growing tired of the game.
- The Browns, Buccaneeers, Lions and Saints are gracing Ohio State safety Vonn Bell‘s itinerary for workouts and/or meetings, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets. The early-entry Buckeyes safety already met with Tennessee.
Standout players like Ezekiel Ansah and Darius Slay will receive most of the attention when the Lions look to extend members of their 2013 draft class. But Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press warns not to overlook a late-rounder from ’13 — fifth-round punter Sam Martin recently changed agents, hiring Sean Kiernan and Erik Burkhardt of Select Sports, signaling that he’s open to discussing a new contract.
Martin, 26, won’t be in line for any sort of mega-deal, but he should do well for a punter. In 2015, his 42.0 net-yard average was fourth in the NFL, and just three of his 80 attempts went for touchbacks. As Over The Cap’s data shows, to crack the top 10 highest-paid punters in the league, Martin would have to average $2.8MM annually on an extension, and he’s probably a good bet to match or exceed that figure.
Here’s more out of Detroit:
- The Lions have made a habit of including playing-time incentives and/or per-game roster bonuses in most of the free agent contracts they’ve handed out this offseason, Birkett observes in a piece for the Free Press. New GM Bob Quinn explained that it’s a way to protect the team a little, while also giving players a chance to max out their value. “We want these guys to earn their contracts,” Quinn said.
- The Lions weren’t in the mix for Alex Mack and haven’t shown any real interest in the second tier of free agent centers, but the team would still like to add some competition for center Travis Swanson, according to Birkett. Quinn was noncommittal when asked if the center position would be a priority in the draft: “If there’s a center there that I like, yeah. I mean, you tell me who’s going to be there and I’ll tell you if it’s a priority or not.”
- Massachusetts quarterback Blake Frohnapfel met with a Lions scout and quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan in advance of his pro day on Thursday, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
- Baylor wide receiver Corey Coleman has workouts and/or visits set with the 49ers, Bengals, Lions, Bears, Panthers, and Browns, Getlin tweets.
- UMass QB Blake Frohnapfel spent time with the Lions and Chargers on Thursday, according to Pauline.
- Campbell defensive tackle Greg Milhouse has official visits set up with the Giants and Lions, per Pauline.
- The Jets, Lions, and Bengals all sent position coaches to watch North Carolina Central corner Ryan Smith work out, Pauline writes. Smith also interviewed with the Jets prior to his pro day.
- Former Clemson safety Jayron Kearse has met with, or is set to visit and/or workout with the Lions, Steelers, Jaguars, and Jets, Getlin tweets.
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- There was some speculation earlier this month that Calvin Johnson wanted to retire as a free agent rather than under Lions control so that, in case he ever came out of retirement, he would be free to choose his next destination. Of course, Megatron ultimately retired as a member of the Lions, but according to Detroit president Rod Wood, it’s a moot point anyway, as he would be “very surprised” if Johnson ever expressed a desire to return to the NFL (video link via Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press).
- Lions GM Bob Quinn indicated today that the team’s extension discussions with 2013’s draft class likely won’t really heat up until after the draft, per Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (Twitter link). Ezekiel Ansah and Darius Slay are, of course, the two most noteworthy extension candidates who fit that bill.
- Although it still appears that linebacker Stephen Tulloch isn’t in the Lions‘ plans for 2016, the team is trying to trade him rather than release him, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. The fact that the Lions plan to cut Tulloch if they can’t find a trade partner means that it may be difficult for the team to find an offer.
- The Lions are “doing a lot of work” on Alabama defensive tackle Jarran Reed, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (on Twitter). The Lions met with Reed last week and they will host him for a visit in April.
On Monday, the Lions bolstered their wide receiving corps by signing former Jet Jeremy Kerley. The 27-year-old signed a four-year extension with the Jets roughly 18 months ago, but he had little involvement in the team’s offense once the new regime took over. The Lions are now hoping that Kerley can replicate his best seasons from the past, like in 2012 when he caught 56 passes for 827 yards and two touchdowns.
Here’s more out of Detroit:
- The Lions aren’t currently planning to extend defensive end Ziggy Ansah, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes. The 2013 draft pick is entering his contract year, but the Lions can continue to control him through his fifth-year option and the franchise tag. Of course, the prices for defensive linemen have skyrocketed in recent years. Last offseason, Ndamukong Suh inked a record-setting deal with the Dolphins. This year, the Giants signed Olivier Vernon to an $85MM over five years with $40.5MM guaranteed.
- Lions GM Bob Quinn met with agent Drew Rosenhaus about linebacker Stephen Tulloch and cornerback Darius Slay on Monday, Birkett tweets. Talks with Slay are ongoing, but the status of Tulloch’s talks are a bit of a mystery, according to Birkett (link). Slay, who changed representation earlier this year, was a 2013 draft pick, making him eligible for an extension when the Lions’ regular season ended. The Lions reportedly were set to release Tulloch in February but they may have had a change of heart. Tulloch, 31, has spent the last five years with the Lions.
- Within his article, Birkett notes that the Lions are still seeking rotational help at defensive end via free agency.