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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Extra Points: Manziel, Okung, Streater

March 12th, 2016 at 11:58am CST by Ben Levine

Rumors have persisted that Johnny Manziel could eventually wind up with the Cowboys. However, following the embattled quarterback’s release from the Browns, it doesn’t sound like Dallas currently has much interest.

According to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys have no intention of signing the 23-year-old once he passes waivers. However, Moore did leave the window open, noting that the organization wouldn’t pursue the signal-caller “until he gets his life back in order.”

A report in January hinted that Manziel had interest in playing for Dallas, and according to Moore, the quarterback was convinced that the interest would be mutual. For the time being, that doesn’t appear to be the case.

Let’s check out some more assorted notes from around the league…

  • Michael Silver of Sports Illustrated believes the Lions are the favorite to sign offensive tackle Russell Okung. The writer notes that the Seahawks, 49ers, and Giants are also in the mix for the 28-year-old.
  • Wideout Rod Streater is set to meet with the Chiefs today, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The former Raiders receiver has also met with the Patriots and the Jets.
  • Defensive back Will Blackmon has received a contract offer from Washington, reports Mike Jones of The Washington Post (via Twitter). However, the 31-year-old has drawn interest from several teams, and the cornerback is currently “reviewing his options.”
  • The 49ers have interest in retaining defensive end Tony Jerod-Eddie, tweets Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. The team wasn’t willing to commit the $1.67MM it would have taken to make the 25-year-old a restricted free agent.

Lions, Rafael Bush Agree to One-Year Deal

March 12th, 2016 at 8:58am CST by Ben Levine

The Lions have added some much-needed depth to their safety corps, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the team has signed Rafael Bush. The deal is for one year at $2.4MM, Rapoport adds.

The former undrafted free agent has bounced around a bit throughout his six-year career, but he seemed to find a home with the Saints. The 28-year-old spent the past four seasons in New Orleans, appearing in 40 games (14 starts). The defensive back finished the 2014 season with 56 tackles and two passes defended, but a torn pectoral muscle limited to only one game in 2015.

Bush will seemingly slide into the Lions starting lineup besides Glover Quin. The team did ink Tavon Wilson to a deal earlier this week, but the former Patriots safety will presumably serve in a back-up role.

Extra Points: Sanchez, 49ers, Blackmon, Washington

March 11th, 2016 at 10:10pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Eagles traded quarterback Mark Sanchez to Denver on Friday, but the Broncos were just one of several teams that had interest in acquiring the seven-year veteran. The 49ers were among the intrigued clubs, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). Had the Niners landed him, it would’ve reunited Sanchez with head coach Chip Kelly. The two were together in Philly the previous two seasons, when Sanchez completed 64.3% of his passes and tossed 18 touchdowns against 15 interceptions.

Here’s more from around the NFL as Friday wraps up:

  • Washington and free agent cornerback Will Blackmon are discussing a contract, reports Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Mid-Atlantic (Twitter link). Blackmon, a nine-year veteran, spent last season in Washington and put up impressive numbers in 15 games (10 starts, 49 tackles, three forced fumbles, two interceptions), though he ranked just 84th out of 111 qualifying corners at Pro Football Focus.
  • The Chargers will continue looking for tight end help after losing Ladarius Green in free agency and missing out on James Hanna earlier today, writes Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. There are some decent veteran options in Jermaine Gresham, Zach Miller, Jared Cook and Owen Daniels left on the market, notes Gehlken, though he expects the Chargers to address the position via the draft.
  • Northern Illinois linebacker Perez Ford had a busy Friday, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. The draft prospect talked with the Browns, Dolphins, Chiefs, Jets, Lions, Chargers, Seahawks, Bears and Washington.

Newton, Peterson, Others Get Salary Guarantees

March 11th, 2016 at 8:38pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Several NFL players have contracts containing language which states that they’ll get a full or partial salary guarantees for 2016 and/or 2017 if they remained on their respective teams on Friday, the third day of the league year. Let’s check in some of those players (link courtesy of CBS Sports’ Joel Corry):

  • Cam Newton, quarterback (Panthers): $13MM base salary for 2016 is now fully guaranteed. Friday is also the deadline Cam Newton (Vertical)for the Panthers to pick up Newton’s 2020 option for $10MM.
  • Eli Manning, quarterback (Giants): $17.5MM base salary for 2016 is now fully guaranteed.
  • Jay Cutler, quarterback (Bears): $16MM base salary for 2016 is now fully guaranteed.
  • Adrian Peterson, running back (Vikings): $7MM base salary for 2016 is now fully guaranteed.
  • Julio Jones, wide receiver (Falcons): $11.5MM base salary for 2017 is now fully guaranteed.
  • A.J. Green, wide receiver (Bengals): $6MM roster bonus is payable.
  • Brandon Marshall, wide receiver (Jets): $9.5MM base salary for 2016 is now fully guaranteed.
  • Mike Iupati, guard (Cardinals): $6.75MM base salary for 2016 is now fully guaranteed, as is $2MM of Iupati’s $8MM base salary for 2017.
  • Rodney Hudson, center (Raiders): $7.35MM base salary for 2016 is now fully guaranteed.
  • Gerald McCoy, defensive tackle (Buccaneers): $13.25MM base salary for 2017 is now fully guaranteed.
  • Marcell Dareus, defensive tackle (Bills): $9.75MM base salary for 2017 is now fully guaranteed.
  • Justin Houston, linebacker (Chiefs): $14.75MM of Houston’s $14.9MM base salary in 2016 is now fully guaranteed, as is $6.75MM of his $16.35MM base salary for 2017.
  • DeAndre Levy, linebacker (Lions): $5.25MM base salary for 2016 is now fully guaranteed.
  • Aqib Talib, cornerback (Broncos): $8.5MM base salary for 2016 is now fully guaranteed.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Lions Working To Sign Akiem Hicks

March 11th, 2016 at 5:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

5:20pm: Although the Lions are working to lock up Hicks, the Bears – who are hosting the defensive lineman on a visit today – remain “very much in [the] hunt” for him, tweets Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times.

4:54pm: On the heels of bolstering their defensive front from within, the Lions are looking elsewhere for help. Detroit is working to sign Akiem Hicks, CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora reports (on Twitter).

The Lions have already re-signed Haloti Ngata and Tyrunn Walker to clear up their defensive tackle situation, but the connection to Hicks is obvious. Former Patriots executive Bob Quinn now being Detroit’s GM, Hicks serves as a natural target as a defensive end.

Quinn was on New England’s staff when the Patriots acquired Hicks from the Saints last September, and Hicks produced for the Pats, recording three sacks in his 13 games as a rotational piece for the AFC East champions.

Detroit has burgeoning star Ziggy Ansah under contract at end, with fellow starter Jason Jones facing free agency. Hicks rated as Pro Football Focus’ No. 42 interior defender last season.

Lions Retain Crezdon Butler, Don Muhlbach

March 11th, 2016 at 2:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Lions opted to keep reserve cornerback Crezdon Butler and long snapper Don Muhlbach, according to the team’s website. Contract terms were not disclosed.

Butler’s ventured to several NFL destinations since arriving in the NFL as a Steelers fifth-rounder in 2010. The 29-year-old corner served as secondary depth for Detroit, which lost now-retired Rashean Mathis, for the season. He’s played for eight teams and suited up in 45 games, making three starts — all for the Buccaneers in 2014.

Butler spent training camp with the Lions in 2015 before rejoining the team midseason after spending time with the Seahawks.

Muhlbach has been the Lions’ specialty snapper since 2004. Only the seventh player to play in 180 games for the Lions, Muhlbach is the team’s longest-tenured player by a wide margin now that Calvin Johnson announced his retirement.

Compensatory Picks For 2016 NFL Draft

March 11th, 2016 at 1:04pm CST by Luke Adams

The NFL has officially announced the 33 compensatory picks for the 2016 NFL draft. These picks are awarded to the teams that suffered the most significant free agent losses during the 2015 offseason. So, for instance, the Lions, who lost Ndamukong Suh, get the top compensatory pick this year.

The comp pick formula assigns picks who suffered the largest net losses, so teams that signed multiple free agents have a lesser chance of receiving picks. These selections can’t be traded.

Here’s the full breakdown, by round and by team:

By Round:

Round 3:

  1. Detroit Lions
  2. New England Patriots
  3. Seattle Seahawks
  4. Denver Broncos

Round 4:

  1. Green Bay Packers
  2. Baltimore Ravens
  3. San Francisco 49ers
  4. Baltimore Ravens
  5. Dallas Cowboys
  6. Denver Broncos
  7. Green Bay Packers
  8. Cleveland Browns
  9. Buffalo Bills

Round 5:

  1. Arizona Cardinals
  2. Seattle Seahawks
  3. Cleveland Browns
  4. Cleveland Browns
  5. San Francisco 49ers
  6. San Diego Chargers

Round 6:

  1. New England Patriots
  2. Baltimore Ravens
  3. Detroit Lions
  4. San Francisco 49ers
  5. Dallas Cowboys
  6. San Francisco 49ers
  7. New England Patriots
  8. Seattle Seahawks
  9. Dallas Cowboys
  10. Dallas Cowboys
  11. Buffalo Bills
  12. Denver Broncos
  13. Pittsburgh Steelers
  14. New England Patriots

By Team:

  • Dallas Cowboys (4)
  • New England Patriots (4)
  • San Francisco 49ers (4)
  • Baltimore Ravens (3)
  • Cleveland Browns (3)
  • Denver Broncos (3)
  • Seattle Seahawks (3)
  • Buffalo Bills (2)
  • Detroit Lions (2)
  • Green Bay Packers (2)
  • Arizona Cardinals (1)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (1)
  • San Diego Chargers (1)

FA Visits: Seahawks, Lions, Chiefs, Pats, Titans

March 11th, 2016 at 11:46am CST by Luke Adams

After being released recently by the Jaguars, veteran edge defender Chris Clemons is expected to pay a visit to the Seahawks soon, and could sign with the team during that visit, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter). In fact, Condotta suspects that Clemons will sign.

If it happens, it would be a reunion for the two sides, as Clemons enjoyed the best years of his NFL career in Seattle. Although he was slowed down by injuries during his final year with the team in 2013, he recorded at least 11 sacks as a 16-game starter in each season from 2010 to 2012. At age 34, Clemons is unlikely to reach those totals again, but he could be a solid situational pass rusher if he rejoins the Seahawks.

Here’s more on potential free agent visits:

  • While the Patriots would like to bring back defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, the veteran free agent is exploring his options, and those options include a pair of NFC North teams. In addition to making a previously-reported visit to the Bears, Hicks is planning to visit the Lions over the weekend, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
  • Defensive tackle Al Woods is visiting the Seahawks, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Seattle is bringing in both Woods and – as previously reported – Cam Thomas, as the team explore possible replacements for Brandon Mebane.
  • The Chiefs may still get a chance to meet with wide receiver Rod Streater, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. Streater, who met with the Patriots on Thursday, is planning to head to Kansas City after visiting the Jets.
  • Free agent cornerback Antwon Blake is scheduled to visit the Patriots and Titans this weekend, per Ralph N. Paulk of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (via Twitter). Blake’s agent is also negotiating with four other teams, says Paulk. The 25-year-old has spent the last three seasons with the Steelers.

Lions Re-Sign Dan Orlovsky

March 11th, 2016 at 11:14am CST by Luke Adams

The Lions have re-signed backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky to a new contract, the team announced today in a press release.Dan Orlovsky

[RELATED: Lions re-sign LB Tahir Whitehead]

Orlovsky, 32, has been with the Lions for the last two seasons, and saw his first action in relief of Matthew Stafford in 2015. For the season, he completed 22 of 40 passes for 201 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. He hasn’t started a game since the 2011 season, as a Colt. Of course, his longest stretch as a starter came in 2008 for the Lions team that went 0-16.

While Orlovsky looks like the current favorite to be No. 2 on Detroit’s depth chart again in 2016, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets that he expects the team to draft a signal-caller to compete with Orlovsky this year.

Terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but I’d be surprised if it’s much more than a minimum salary contract.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Lions Re-Sign Tahir Whitehead

March 11th, 2016 at 11:05am CST by Zachary Links

FRIDAY, 11:05am: The Lions have officially re-signed Whitehead, the team announced today in a press release. Financial details on his two-year deal can be found right here.

THURSDAY, 3:37pm: The Lions are set to re-sign linebacker Tahir Whitehead, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s a two-year deal worth more than $8MM, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Tahir Whitehead (featured)

Whitehead was visiting with the Buccaneers today but, as it turns out, he’ll be staying put in Detroit. The 25-year-old (26 in April) ranked as our top non-rush outside linebacker when we examined 2016’s top defensive free agents over the weekend, though it should be noted that this was a weak crop of non-rush OLBs. In addition to the Bucs, the Eagles also showed interest in plucking Whitehead away from the Lions. Whitehead has said all along that his preference was to remain with the Lions, though he did say that he was focused on being a starter.

“Yes, that’s definitely one of the big factors because as a player in this league you don’t go somewhere or be on someone’s team just to be someone’s backup,” he said. “You want to go somewhere where you’re wanted, where you’re needed and you’re going to play. So I definitely want to be a starter. I think I’ve shown that I can be a starter in this league.”

Whitehead has appeared in all 16 of the Lions’ regular season games in the last three seasons.When Stephen Tulloch went down with a knee injury early in 2014, the Temple product was elevated to the starting lineup and wound up finishing second on the team in tackles. This past season, Whitehead took a backseat to Tulloch in the first half of the season but he started the final eight games and looked strong. In 2015, he started nine of his 16 games, recording 47 total tackles, 1 sack, six pass deflections, and one interception.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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