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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Lions To Sign James Ihedigbo

March 24th, 2014 at 9:41pm CST by Matt Feminis

9:41pm: The Bears and Eagles were also interested in Ihedigbo, tweeted ESPN’s Adam Caplan.

9:37pm: Ravens free agent safety James Ihedigbo agreed to terms on a two-year deal with the Lions, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

Ihedigbo visited Detroit the first week of free agency, at which time the team offered a two-year deal. They’ve been waiting for an answer ever since. Ihedigbo, 30, started 16 games for the Ravens last year, totaling 101 tackles, 11 passes defended, three interceptions and two forced fumbles. The Lions had familiarity with the safety thanks to new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who was Ihedigbo’s position coach in Baltimore. Presumably, Ihedigbo steps into a starting role for the Lions, who cut ties with oft-injured Louis Delmas in February.

Bears’ Mills Tops Performance-Based Pay List

March 24th, 2014 at 6:59pm CST by Matt Feminis

Bears rookie right tackle Jordan Mills, whose base salary was $495k last season, will receive approximately $318k from the performance-based pay pool, more than any other player in the league. Created in order to reward players who make the least and play the most, the performance-based league pool is $3.46MM per team. Each team’s performance-based pay leader can be found here, courtesy of USA Today.

Mills, a fifth-round pick out of Louisiana Tech, started all 16 games for the Bears. However, his starts were more a reflection of the team’s lack of options, as Mills rated as one of the league’s worst starters, ranking last in pass protection (-32.5 rating) and hurries allowed (62). Other notables (dollar figures rounded):

2014 NFL Compensatory Draft Picks

March 24th, 2014 at 5:15pm CST by Luke Adams

The NFL has officially announced the 32 compensatory draft picks for 24 that have been handed out to teams who had the most significant losses in free agency a year ago. These picks are determined by a formula that accounts for salary, playing time, and postseason honors. Teams can’t receive more than four picks each, and this year’s selections were divided up among 13 clubs. Here’s the list of 2014 compensatory picks by team, with the round and overall selection number included:

  • 49ers: 3rd (100)
  • Bears: None
  • Bengals: 6th (212), 7th (252)
  • Bills: None
  • Broncos: None
  • Browns: None
  • Buccaneers: None
  • Cardinals: None
  • Chargers: None
  • Chiefs: None
  • Colts: None
  • Cowboys: 7th (248), 7th (251), 7th (254)
  • Dolphins: None
  • Eagles: None
  • Falcons: 4th (139), 7th (253), 7th (255)
  • Giants: 5th (174)
  • Jaguars: None
  • Jets: 4th (137), 6th (209), 6th (210), 6th (213)
  • Lions: 4th (133), 4th (136)
  • Packers: 3rd (98), 5th (176)
  • Panthers: None
  • Patriots: 4th (140)
  • Raiders: None
  • Rams: 6th (214), 7th (249), 7th (250)
  • Ravens: 3rd (99), 4th (134), 4th (138), 5th (175)
  • Redskins: None
  • Saints: None
  • Seahawks: None
  • Steelers: 3rd (97), 5th (173), 6th (215)
  • Texans: 4th (135), 6th (211), 7th (256)
  • Titans: None
  • Vikings: None

Lions Rumors: Ihedigbo, Fairley, Leshoure

March 24th, 2014 at 12:42pm CST by Luke Adams

As Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press wrote last night, James Ihedigbo looks like the Lions’ top choice at safety in free agency, but the team is still waiting for an answer from him. GM Martin Mayhew said today that the club remains in contact with Ihedigbo, and that there’s no timetable on a decision (Twitter link via Birkett). While there’s nothing new to report on the Ihedigbo front, we have plenty of new Lions tidbits to pass along, so let’s dive in….

  • Mayhew announced today that the Lions won’t pick up their fifth-year option on Nick Fairley‘s contract for 2015, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. The option, which is a wrinkle of the new CBA for first-round draft picks, will be worth in the neighborhood of $5.5MM, but Mayhew doesn’t see Fairley as a $5MM-per-year player right now due to inconsistency, tweets Birkett.
  • The Fairley decision is somewhat surprising, since those fifth-year options are guaranteed for injury only initially, and a strong 2014 would make it challenging for the Lions to retain Fairley in 2015 when he’s an unrestricted free agent. However, Mayhew is hoping to give the defensive lineman incentive to have a great season (Twitter link via Birkett).
  • The Lions aren’t interested in trading running back Mikel Leshoure, despite the fact that he’s behind Reggie Bush and Joique Bell on the depth chart, Mayhew tells Twentyman (Twitter link).
  • Detroit will “definitely consider” drafting a quarterback this May to back up Matthew Stafford, according to Mayhew (Twitter link via Birkett).
  • Mayhew confirmed that he and coach Jim Caldwell met with Sammy Watkins and his family around the time of Clemson’s Pro Day, and that the GM will also be attending Mike Evans‘ Pro Day this week (Twitter link via Birkett).
  • In the wake of his father’s death, vice chairman Bill Ford Jr. said today that his involvement with the Lions may increase going forward, according to Birkett.

Lions Notes: Ihedigbo, Hill, Draft, Suh

March 23rd, 2014 at 10:10am CST by Rory Parks

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets that free agent safety James Ihedigbo is choosing between the Lions and Bears, and in a separate tweet he writes that a resolution to Detroit’s safety situation could happen tonight but is more likely to come tomorrow. Ihedigbo was said to have narrowed his choice down to three NFC teams, but now it appears two teams remain in the mix. As our own Rob DiRe pointed out yesterday, the Lions are expected to sign one of the three safeties who have recently visited with the team: Ihedigbo, Chris Clemons, or Thomas DeCoud.

A couple of other quick notes out of Detroit:

  • Birkett tweets that the team is still waiting on word from backup QB Shaun Hill, but that Hill was still considering a return to Detroit several days ago
  • Birkett projects the Lions to select UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2014 draft.
  • Mike O’Hara of DetroitLions.com writes that the Raiders’ signing of Matt Schaub means they will not select a QB with the No. 5 overall pick. As a result, Clemson WR Sammy Watkins will have another potential landing spot among the nine teams choosing before the Lions, and the possibility that Watkins could fall to Detroit has become even more remote.
  • O’Hara adds that president Tom Lewand‘s statements that he plans to meet with Ndamukong Suh‘s agent in Orlando this week at the NFL’s annual meetings is a start to the negotiation process with Suh, but nothing more.

NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Vikings

March 22nd, 2014 at 4:34pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Bears added three safeties during free agency, but aren’t yet finished at the position, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. While Ryan Mundy could be in a position to compete for a starting job, M.D. Jennings and Danny McCray are more likely depth signings who will see time on special teams. The team could still look to add another safety in the draft, or in free agency closer to the season.

Here are some other notes from around the NFC North:

  • The Lions will likely be looking to draft the best player available in the first round, which likely means they will not be drafting an offensive lineman, writes Mike Rothstein of ESPN.com. With the top two offensive linemen in Greg Robinson of Auburn and Jake Matthews of Texas A&M likely off the board, Rothstein does not see the team reaching for the next tackle at that pick.
  • Rothstein also writes that he does not expect the Lions to rely on the draft to fill all the needs in the secondary. Specifically, he envisions the team signing one of the three safeties who recently visited, in James Ihedigbo, Chris Clemons, and Thomas DeCoud. Signing one of those players would not preclude the team from using the first-round pick on a defensive back.
  • The Vikings are in the market for a quarterback in this draft, writes Ben Goessling of ESPN.com, but may not get a chance to draft one early in the first round. The team is exploring other options, appearing at Fresno State’s pro day to watch Derek Carr, and to heading to San Jose State’s pro day to scout David Fales.

NFC Notes: Rams, Redskins, Cowboys, Falcons

March 22nd, 2014 at 9:00am CST by Matt Feminis

The upcoming season has long been targeted as the year the Rams will be legitimate contenders. Accordingly, the team has “margin for error next to zero in the NFL draft,” says ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner. The Rams have been quiet in free agency, instead relying on the development of their young team and the potential to bolster the roster with draft picks, including two in the top 13, the first of which (No. 2 overall) is on the auction block. Wagoner asserts the time is now for the team to close the gap on Seattle and San Francisco, especially in the trenches. “…the most glaring difference between the Rams and their NFC West foes last year was how overmatched they were on the offensive line,” says Wagoner, who mentions tackles Greg Robinson (Auburn) and Jake Matthews (Texas A&M) as potential plug-and-play, impact options.

Other morning news and notes in the NFC:

  • The Redskins have signed three inside linebackers this offseason, but the linebacker corps isn’t settled yet, writes Mike Jones of the Washington Post: “The Redskins would like for [Perry] Riley to emerge as the leader of the defense, and become an extension of [defensive coordinator] Jim Haslett. But that could take some time. Riley led Washington in tackles last season, but he tended to disappear at times.” Meanwhile, the other inside linebacker spot is “up for grabs” with Adam Hayward, Akeem Jordan and Darryl Sharpton set to compete.
  • With Miles Austin out of the Cowboys’ plans, the team is open to adding a veteran receiver, writes ESPNDallas.com’s Calvin Watkins, who calls free agent Nate Burleson a “perfect fit.”
  • The Cardinals will look to add depth and size on defense in the draft, writes ESPN.com’s John Weinfuss. More specifically, the team is searching for a prospect to groom as Darnell Dockett‘s replacement, a taller, more athletic safety capable of matching with tight ends and another body at inside linebacker.
  • The Falcons, in desperate need of pass rush, will have a private workout with with UCLA rush linebacker Anthony Barr before the end of the month, according to ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure. Barr could be an option for the No. 6 pick if South Carolina’s Jadaveon Clowney is off the board. Buffalo’s Khalil Mack could also fit the bill, but he does not have a visit scheduled with the Falcons as of Friday.
  • The Lions could have their pick of defensive backs with the 10th overall selection, speculates Dustin Hockensmith of pennlive.com.

Lions Re-Sign Andre Fluellen

March 21st, 2014 at 11:20am CST by Luke Adams

The Lions have re-signed defensive tackle Andre Fluellen, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). Fluellen, who has spent nearly all of his six NFL seasons in Detroit, had been an unrestricted free agent.

With the signing, the Lions add some depth to their defensive line by bringing back a familiar face. Last season, Fluellen appeared in 170 defensive snaps for the club, recording three tackles, pressuring the quarterback five times, and recovering a fumble. He’ll almost certainly be on a minimum salary benefit deal.

Meanwhile, the Lions continue to seek out upgrades in other areas of their defense. Earlier today, we heard that the team was eyeing three potential options at safety, including James Ihedigbo and Thomas DeCoud. Birkett reports (via Twitter) that DeCoud left today’s visit in Detroit without a deal in place, but he’s not the only free agent the team is hosting. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter), safety Chris Clemons is visiting with the Lions today, making him the third safety the club is considering.

FA Rumors: Ihedigbo, DeCoud, Britt, Incognito

March 21st, 2014 at 9:16am CST by Luke Adams

James Ihedigbo won’t be returning to his old team, and there’s a chance he also won’t be headed to the club he looked likely to land with last week. According to Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times, the Ravens are no longer in the running for the free agent safety, who has narrowed his decision down to three NFC teams — one is believed to be the Lions, who appeared to be closing in on Ihedigbo last Thursday. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun adds (via Twitter) that Baltimore wasn’t willing to match the Lions’ initial offer, but it sounds like two other clubs are at least in that ballpark.

Here are a few more Friday morning free agent updates:

  • Free agent safety Thomas DeCoud may represent a Plan B for the Lions if they can’t land Ihedigbo. DeCoud, who was released by the Falcons earlier in the offseason, is visiting Detroit today, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
  • Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link) expects the Lions to sign a safety very soon, and says it sounds like there are three potential options on the table, which suggests the team is eyeing another player in addition to Ihedigbo and DeCoud.
  • Agent Pat Dye Jr. confirmed last night that Kenny Britt had received from the Bills, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says (via Twitter) the free agent receiver will be making his next visit to Buffalo.
  • Rapoport also reports (Twitter links) that while free agent guard Richie Incognito can sign with an NFL team, he can’t play or be paid until undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by medical advisors designated by the league and the NFLPA.
  • Adam Caplan of ESPN.com passes along a pair of free agent nuggets, tweeting that fullback Spencer Larsen worked out for the Bills and cornerback Elbert Mack worked out for the Bengals.
  • With Matt Schaub heading to Oakland, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link) predicts that the Browns will land Rex Grossman, adding that perhaps Mark Sanchez ends up on the Bills and Michael Vick lands with the Jets. Vick is visiting with the Jets today, and the club also has to make a decision soon on Sanchez, who is owed a roster bonus on Tuesday.

Draft Rumors: Bishop, Webster, Archer, Carr

March 20th, 2014 at 9:35pm CST by Zachary Links

Northern Illinois defensive tackle Ken Bishop is set to work out for the Dolphins, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Bishop, an All-Mid-American conference selection projected as a later-round draft pick, had 59 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, and an interception last season. Here’s the latest draft news..

  • The Lions are hosting defensive end Larry Webster for a pre-draft visit today, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. Webster, who stands at 6’6″, 252 pounds, had 12.5 sacks for Bloomsburg University in 2013 and boasts a 4.58 second 40-yard-dash time.
  • Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon-Journal (on Twitter) spoke with Kent State running back Dri Archer, who says that he has workouts scheduled with the Dolphins, Patriots, Cardinals, and Colts.
  • Fresno State standout quarterback Derek Carr has met with Raiders, Titans, Vikings, and Browns since last night, tweets Marek Warszawski of the Fresno Bee (on Twitter). 
  • Stanford safety Ed Reynolds has meetings scheduled with the Lions and Falcons, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter). Reynolds has a 38-inch vertical jump and ran a 4.41 second 40-yard-dash earlier today at his pro day.
  • The Giants will work out Maine outside linebacker/defensive end Michael Cole on April 10th, a league source tells Aaron Wilson. Cole had eight sacks last season and finished his career with 29 sacks, making him the all-time sack leader for the Black Bears.
  • One scouting director gave Albert Breer of NFL Network (Twitter link) a rundown of what he was looking for from Michael Sam today at the linebacker’s Pro Day. “He needs to show good movement in linebacker drills — Bend quickness and good feet and quickness in pass rush drills. Hopefully he is staying in good shape and not letting that go.”
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