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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

NFC North Notes: Vikings, Kuhn, Lions

March 6th, 2014 at 2:43pm CST by Luke Adams

With Matt Cassel and Josh Freeman eligible for free agency, Vikings GM Rick Spielman told ESPN Radio’s Colin Cowherd today that he would like to draft a young quarterback and also sign a QB in free agency, writes Master Tesfatsion of the Star Tribune.

“We’re looking defense, I can tell you that,” Spielman said. “We have to improve on the defensive side of the ball. The QB scenario will work itself out. We don’t play any games next week. We’re not going to force the issue…. We’ll be able to find a young quarterback in this draft, because there’s enough depth. But we’re also going to have to look at one in free agency as well.”

Here’s more on the Vikings and their NFC rivals:

  • Cassel is one free agent quarterback the Vikings will consider, and head coach Mike Zimmer told reporters today, including Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, that he hopes the team can bring Cassel back for 2014.
  • Free agent linebacker Jameel McClain will visit with the Vikings next, says Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). McClain has already met with the Bills and Giants since being released by the Ravens.
  • Fan favorite John Kuhn won’t sign a new contract with the Packers before Tuesday, and will reach the open market, a source tells Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. According to Demovsky’s source, the Packers and their longtime fullback intend to keep in touch, so there’s still a chance Kuhn could return to Green Bay.
  • In order to draft Sammy Watkins, the Lions would almost certainly have to move up from No. 10, but Detroit is showing “a ton of interest” in the Clemson wide receiver, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

FA Rumors: Talib, Allen, Carroll, McClain

March 5th, 2014 at 2:00pm CST by Luke Adams

While one prospective free agent cornerback, Brent Grimes, re-upped with his team earlier this week, we probably shouldn’t expect Aqib Talib and the Patriots to reach an agreement before Talib hits the open market, says Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. Howe hears from a source that Talib “wants to be paid as a top-of-the-market corner” in free agency, meaning he’s unlikely to accept any offer from the Pats before he sees what else is out there. New England has made the veteran cornerback a priority since the team’s season ended, but it looks like the Pats will have to compete with other suitors if they want to bring Talib back for 2014.

Here’s more on this year’s free agent class:

  • Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Jared Allen said that when he hits free agency, he’ll be looking for a good organization with a chance to win – as well as a fair contract – and expects to be very involved in the process. The longtime Viking didn’t sound bullish on the idea of joining the Raiders, suggesting that Oakland has a lot of things to “correct” and may not be looking for a veteran defensive end (all Twitter links).
  • The Vikings are “expected to take a strong look” at cornerback Nolan Carroll if and when he becomes available, a source tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. We heard last week that the Dolphins have interest in bringing back Carroll, who anticipates testing the open market.
  • Jack Bechta, the agent for linebacker Pat Angerer, tells Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star that the Colts will let his client hit the open market next week without attempting to re-sign him. Angerer’s looming departure helps explain the club’s interest in signing free agent linebacker D’Qwell Jackson.
  • After visiting with the Bills today, free agent linebacker Jameel McClain will move on to meet with the Giants, tweets Joe Buscaglia of WGR550. According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link), the Bills and Giants are two of the five teams interested in McClain.
  • The Redskins continue talking to linebacker Perry Riley but aren’t particularly close to reaching an agreement, reports Mark Maske of the Washington Post.
  • Seth Walder of the New York Daily News expects the Jets to add a quarterback in free agency, and identifies Josh McCown, Michael Vick, and Tarvaris Jackson as a few potential targets for the club.
  • According to head coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens have “aggressive” offers out to all the pending free agents they want to keep (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun).
  • Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press takes a look at some free agent options for the Lions as the team hunts for a slot receiver to replace Nate Burleson.

Extra Points: Suh, Johnson, McClain, Smith

March 4th, 2014 at 9:26pm CST by Zachary Links

Ndamukong Suh has long been linked to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, but it sounds like the Lions star might actually opt to represent himself in his contract negotiations, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports. While he’d consult with others, including Roc Nation, it sounds like the defensive tackle is giving real thought to sitting across the table from the Lions without a formal agent at his side. An extension would be very complex for Suh if he wants to maximize his value and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter) hears that even the Lions don’t want him to enter negotiations on his own. More from around the league..

  • The Seahawks gave safety Jeron Johnson a second-round tender as a restricted free agent, Garafolo tweets. Johnson, 26 in June, could garner interest elsewhere, so it’ll be interesting to see how things to this offseason.
  • Former Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain is scheduled to take a free agent visit with the Bills tomorrow, Rapoport tweets. The LB has a few more visits with other clubs on his docket as well.
  • Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith met with general manager Dave Gettleman earlier today to try and clear the air, a league source tells Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. Gettleman was non-committal about Smith’s future with the team when asked about him at the scouting combine last month which didn’t sit well with the veteran.
  • 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh personally scouted Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo at his pro day, writes Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. The Texans also came to watch the signal caller throw.
  • The Giants will be on the hunt for running backs once free agency officially opens, explains Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News.
  • Andrew Brandt of Sports Illustrated examined the nuances of the franchise tag, the transition tag, and the ripple effects they’ll have on free agency.

NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers

March 4th, 2014 at 8:55am CST by Luke Adams

No NFC North teams used their franchise or transition tags yesterday, meaning players who looked like candidates, such as Packers cornerback Sam Shields and Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew, appear likely to hit the open market next week. While we wait to see if those players work out anything with their respective teams, let’s check out the latest on the Bears, Lions, and Packers….

  • Defensive lineman Corey Wootton is still rehabbing from hip surgery, but he expects to be fully healthy by July, as he tells Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. Although Wootton says he’d love to return to the Bears, the 26-year-old expects to “test the market and see what’s out there” in free agency. Assuming teams are confident in his full recovery, Wootton should receive plenty of interest beginning next week.
  • While he thinks the Bears could consider free agent safeties T.J. Ward and Jairus Byrd if the price is right, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times hears from a source that the club has not expressed any interest in Louis Delmas.
  • $370K of Roberto Garza‘s potential $1.5MM salary for 2014 is tied to weekly roster bonuses, so the Bears have a little built-in injury protection on their center, says Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
  • Because first-round picks don’t cost as much as they did under the old CBA, GM Martin Mayhew and the Lions are comfortable taking the best player available at No. 10 rather than feeling pressure to take someone at a key position, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press details.
  • In a separate piece for the Free Press, Birkett looks at a few Detroit free agents, writing that the Lions continue to work on a new deal for Pettigrew, but are comfortable letting him test the market next week if no agreement has been reached.
  • The Texans are talking to tight end Garrett Graham about a new contract, but if the team lets him reach the open market, the Packers will have interest, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who says Green Bay has liked Graham since he came out of Wisconsin in 2010 (Twitter links).

Lions Sign Corvey Irvin

March 3rd, 2014 at 4:30pm CST by Luke Adams

The Lions have signed defensive tackle Corvey Irvin, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter). Irvin had been cut by the Cowboys on Friday, so Detroit didn’t waste much time in snatching him up.

Irvin, 28, appeared in six games for the Cowboys last season, appearing in a total of 119 snaps for the club over the season’s final few weeks. His new deal with the Lions is almost certainly for the minimum salary, and should give him the opportunity to earn a spot on the team’s regular-season roster this summer.

Franchise Updates: Whitner, Houston, Byrd

March 3rd, 2014 at 1:58pm CST by Luke Adams

With today’s franchise deadline now less than five hours away, let’s round up a few of the latest news items and rumors on the franchise tag from around the NFL….

  • The 49ers won’t be designating safety Donte Whitner as their franchise player, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter).
  • Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston isn’t expected to receive the team’s franchise tag, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
  • The Bills have yet to express anything to Jairus Byrd about the franchise tag, and it appears unlikely that the club will use it, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Joe Buscaglia of WGR550 also hears that the Bills won’t franchise Byrd (Twitter link).
  • The Packers don’t look likely to use the franchise tag on their own defensive back, says Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette (via Twitter). A source tells Dougherty that the team has yet to mention the possibility to Sam Shields or his agent.

Earlier updates:

  • The Lions aren’t expected to use their franchise tag today, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Tight end Brandon Pettigrew likely would have been the top candidate to be franchised.
  • The Seahawks won’t use their franchise tag on defensive end Michael Bennett, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. We also heard over the weekend that the team doesn’t intend to tag kicker Steven Hauschka, but Seattle is still trying to reach deals with both players, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
  • The Titans won’t use their franchise tag on anyone this offseason, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Cornerback Alterraun Verner appeared to be the most viable Tennessee candidate for the tag, but it appears the club will either reach a multiyear agreement with Verner or let him hit the open market.
  • Paul Soliai‘s agent says the Dolphins have told his client he won’t be franchised, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). We heard last week that Miami was unlikely to re-sign Soliai, so the team may turn its attention to bringing back its other key free agent defensive lineman, Randy Starks.

Lions Release Leroy Harris

March 3rd, 2014 at 1:46pm CST by Luke Adams

The Lions have cut veteran offensive lineman Leroy Harris, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter). Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun first reported (via Twitter) that the team would be releasing Harris today.

After starting all but one game at left guard for the Titans in 2010 and 2011, Harris’ 2012 season was cut short by a partially torn ACL. The 29-year-old caught in last summer with Detroit, but simply acted as depth for the Lions, whose offensive line remained relatively healthy all season.

Harris had been on the Lions’ cap for about $2.06MM in 2014, and was due a roster bonus worth $100K later this month, so the move doesn’t come as a surprise. The club creates $1.95MM in ’14 cap savings by releasing Harris, who will immediately become an unrestricted free agent.

NFC North Links: Packers, Bears, Lions

March 2nd, 2014 at 7:33pm CST by Ben Levine

On this date in 2001, the Packers traded backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, a first- and seventh-round pick to the Seahawks for a first- and third-round pick. The trade ultimately proved to be a win for Seattle, and it goes beyond the team acquiring an eventual three-time Pro Bowl quarterback. With the first-round pick they acquired, the Seahawks drafted guard Steve Hutchinson, who would play in three Pro Bowls for the team. Center Dennis Norman was drafted out of Princeton with the Seahawks’ seventh-round pick. Norman played about four seasons with Seattle before continuing his career with the Jaguars and Chargers.

The Packers acquired the tenth pick in the 2001 NFL Draft and selected defensive end Jamal Reynolds. Injuries resulted in Reynolds only playing in 18 career games, compiling 16 tackles and three sacks. With their third-rounder, Green Bay took linebacker Torrance Marshall, who served a back-up role with the team for four seasons.

Let’s take a look at some Packer and NFC North rumors…

  • The Packers are trying to re-sign Sam Shields for a contract worth less than $6MM a year, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Multiple reporters responded to the tweet, with Aaron Nagler of Bleacher Report suggesting that the cornerback will receive $8MM to $9MM (via Twitter).
  • Brandon Marshall with get a contract extension from the Bears, but he may not sign it this offseason unless it’s a cap-friendly deal, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. Wright refers to Marshall’s previous comments that he wants to end his career in Chicago.
  • For Charles Tillman to return to the Bears, he’d have to take a discount, Wright also says. He believes that Tillman does not need to move to the safety position and can still be an above-average cornerback.
  • Cornerback is a position of need for the Lions and they could look to improve that position through free agency, says Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. Rothstein suggests Rashean Mathis and Corey Graham as potential targets.

NFC Notes: Suh, Bethea, Ware, Graham

March 2nd, 2014 at 3:56pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is going to be the next player to break the bank, writes Joel Corry of the National Football Post. Suh is under contract through the 2015 season; however, that year is a player option, which Suh will likely decline. 2014, then, is effectively the last year of his current deal. If the Lions do not sign the star lineman to a new contract before next season, the franchise tag will probably not be an option, as his tag figure would be an untenable $26.87MM.

Suh has restructured his contract twice in as many years in order for the Lions to gain more cap space. An extension would serve the same purpose, as well as lowering Suh’s cap number, which is second in the league at approximately $22.4MM. The Lions are still feeling the effects of selecting high in the draft under the previous collective bargaining agreement, when rookie salaries were much higher. The rookie deals of Suh, quarterback Matthew Stafford, and receiver Calvin Johnson have put the team in an unenviable position. Extending Suh, as the Lions did with both Stafford and Johnson, would help to alleviate some of that cap strain.

More items from the NFC:

  • Safety Antoine Bethea could be an option for the Falcons, writes Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. The team is expected to release Thomas DeCoud, and has been linked to free agent Louis Delmas. Jairus Byrd could also be intriguing, but both he and Delmas might be too expensive for Atlanta’s tastes.
  • Demarcus Ware, due $26MM over the next two seasons, is too expensive to be traded, but he could brought back to the Cowboys at a lower salary, argues Todd Archer of ESPN.com in a recent mailbag.
  • Mike Triplett of ESPN.com believes the Saints’ Jimmy Graham is a tight end, writing that lining up in the slot is simply part of that position’s job description in today’s NFL. Triplett thinks the murky situation could be resolved with a long-term contract in excess of $10MM annually.
  • The Rams could add two quarterbacks to backup Sam Bradford, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. Kellen Clemens could return, and the team figures to draft a quarterback somewhere in the third-to-fifth-round range.
  • In a mailbag segment, Bill Williamson of ESPN.com says receiver will be a priority in the draft for the 49ers, and singles out Oregon State WR Brandin Crooks as an option. He also writes that running back LaMichael James could be used more in the slot and on screens as the teams aims to get the speedy back more touches.

NFC Links: Sanchez, McFadden, Jackson

March 1st, 2014 at 4:43pm CST by Rob DiRe

The extra cap space the Lions will have will allow them extra flexibility in free agency, but Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com doesn’t see the team making a big splash. Free agent Willie Young still isn’t a lock to be retained, and Rothstein thinks the team will look to get younger at many positions this offseason.

Here are some other notes from the NFC:

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