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James Ihedigbo

James Ihedigbo Aiming For New Contract

April 7th, 2015 at 6:23pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Entering the final season of a two-year deal he signed last March, Lion safety James Ihedigbo doesn’t plan to report to any offseason activities unless he receives a new contract, his agent told Brad Galli of WXYZ in Detroit. Ihedigbo is set to earn a base salary of $1.1MM for the upcoming season.

The 31-year-old Ihedigbo started 13 games for the Lions last season, teaming with Glover Quin to form a strong safety duo in the back end of a stout Detroit defense. In what was his seventh NFL season, he registered 66 tackles, four interceptions, and two sacks, also forced three fumbles. Using either raw statistics or Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics, 2014 was the best season of Ihedigbo’s career — he graded as the league’s 14th-best safety last year, per PFF (subscription required).

Obviously a key piece on Detroit’s defense, Ihedigbo has a history with Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin that dates back to the two’s time in Baltimore, so Detroit presumably wants Ihedigbo around for the 2015 season. But whether that means the team is willing to tack on years or add salary to the contract of a player entering his thirties is another question.

Ihedigbo was due a $500K roster bonus that was already paid on the third day of the league year, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Furthermore, tweets Wilson, the Lions knew of Ihedigbo’s displeasure with his current contract before they paid the bonus. The fact that Detroit paid the bonus while abreast of Ihedigbo’s desire for a new deal, then, should seem to bode well for the chances of the two sides working out a solution.

Part of the reason for Ihedigbo’s current mindset is the new contract given to teammate, and fellow safety, Isa Abdul-Quddus last month, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). Abdul-Quddus will earn $1.2MM in base salary next season ($100K more than Ihedigbo), and is a reserve who played approximately 550 snaps fewer in ’14 than did Ihedigbo. Of course, in terms of total compensation (bonuses included), Ihedigbo will earn more than Abdul-Quddus, but it’s fair for the former to view the situation as a slight.

NFC North Links: Pettigrew, Clausen, Jones

July 4th, 2014 at 10:37am CST by Rob DiRe

Brandon Pettigrew signed a four-year contract worth $16MM this offseason to stay with the Lions, but will be in line for more of a blocking role than in years past, writes Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press. When the team drafted tight end Eric Ebron with the 10th overall pick, it was assumed that Ebron would significantly cut into the targets available to other tight ends on the roster.

Here are some more links from around the NFC North:

  • New Lion James Ihedigbo knows what it takes to become a Super Bowl-winning team, after being a part of the 2012 Ravens championship squad. He believes the Lions have what it takes to win it all, writes Justin Rogers of MLive.com. “It’s one of those things, you can feel it. With this team, I can feel the makings of a championship-DNA team,” Ihedigbo said. “Are we willing to sacrifice? That’s the question, and I know we are. There are guys in this locker room that are willing to pay the price, whatever it is, to put the work in to be a champion. Yeah, we definitely have that championship DNA.”
  • While Jay Cutler is entrenched as the Bears‘ quarterback, the departure of Josh McCown leaves the backup job open in Chicago. Former Notre Dame standout Jimmy Clausen could push for the job, writes Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com. “It’s always tough when you get into a new system late and you’re trying to learn the verbiage,” said quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh. “Because he has some years in the league, I don’t think there are any schemes we’re running that he is not familiar with.”
  • The Bears know the importance of having a glut of talented cornerbacks, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. Even though the team has transitioned from a defensive powerhouse under Lovie Smith to an offensive team under Marc Trestman, Chicago knows first-hand how hard it is to cover teams that regularly put two or three elite pass catchers on the field. “You need to have multiple corners,” Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker said. “A lot of the defenses we have to play, that we’re required to play nowadays in the National Football League, are sub packages with three corners or corner types in the game.”
  • Packers‘ linebacker Brad Jones will need to take on a bigger role in the team’s defense, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Jones took a major step back last year, but is paid to be a contributor. Demovsky writes that he must return at least to his 2012 form for the team’s defense to be successful this season.
  • Although he was a talented prospect, one of the knocks on Vikings‘ first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater was that he could not be the “face of a franchise,” but the rookie believes he can do that too, writes Chris Tomasson of TwinCities.com. “Of course, I feel I can be that guy,” Bridgewater said. “With my personality, I just feel that’s something I can definitely do.”

Contract Details: Schaub, Allen, Ihedigbo

March 27th, 2014 at 12:28pm CST by Luke Adams

Matt Schaub‘s reworked deal with the Raiders includes pay cuts in both 2014 and 2015, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link), who identifies Schaub’s new cap numbers as $8MM (2014) and $5.5MM (2015). The contract now includes $3MM in performance-based incentives in both 2014 and 2015, but the 2016 season has been totally removed, according to Pelissero (Twitter links). Jason Fitzgerald breaks down the new-look deal in chart form at OverTheCap.com.

Here are a few more contract details from around the NFL:

  • Jared Allen‘s deal with the Bears includes guaranteed base salaries of $3MM in 2014 and $1MM for 2015, with an $11.5MM ’15 roster bonus guaranteed for skill and injury, says Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter links). As Breer notes, the $8.5MM and $8MM salaries for 2016 and 2017 essentially amount to team options, and if Allen posts 12+ sacks in any season between 2014 and 2016, the final year of the contract voids.
  • According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter links), James Ihedigbo‘s two-year pact with the Lions functions more like a one-year deal, with a roster bonus decision due in March 2015. The contract, which will be worth $3.15MM ($750K guaranteed) over two years, would see the safety earn $1.525MM in 2014 and $1.625MM in 2015, if he sticks.
  • Paul McQuistan‘s two-year, $3MM contract with the Browns features annual base salaries of $855K (2014) and $1.395MM (2015), with up to $1MM per year in incentives, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • Wilson tweets that Marc Mariani‘s one-year deal with the Titans is a minimum salary contract, with an extra $40K workout bonus. It also features a split salary as an IR precaution for the oft-injured receiver.

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.

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.

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.

FA Rumors: Fitzpatrick, Ihedigbo, Underwood

March 20th, 2014 at 3:27pm CST by Luke Adams

When the Titans released Ryan Fitzpatrick last week, there was an expectation that it wouldn’t take long for the veteran quarterback to find work. Fitzpatrick remains on the market, but at least one potential suitor has emerged. According to Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston (Twitter link), Tennessee’s division rivals, the Texans, are hosting Fitzpatrick for a visit today.

Let’s round up a few more Thursday odds and ends related to the free agents still available….

  • According to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com (via Twitter), center Brian De La Puente finished his visit in Washington and is still considering multiple options, including the Redskins and Saints.
  • Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports (via Twitter) that safety James Ihedigbo, repped by a new agent, has at least two other teams in the mix for him besides the Lions, who seemed to be close to signing him earlier this week. The Ravens appear to be one of those two, as Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun notes (via Twitter).
  • Wide receiver Tiquan Underwood is visiting the Panthers today, says Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). The receiver-thin Panthers already signed Jerricho Cotchery today, and it “looks promising” that they could add Underwood as well.
  • Richie Incognito, who is aiming to return to the NFL in 2014, believes the Raiders make “a lot of sense” as a possible destination, writes Michael Silver of NFL.com.
  • Free agent defensive back Chris Owens had a visit this week with the Steelers, tweets Aaron Wilson.
  • Wilson also reports (via Twitter) that the Broncos tried out free agent safety Jordan Pugh.
  • The Bengals have confirmed (via Twitter) that Louis Murphy visited the club today, which means the wide receiver left the meeting without a deal in place.

NFC Notes: Jackson, Saints, Ihedigbo, Vikings

March 20th, 2014 at 12:40pm CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles reportedly want at least a third round pick for DeSean Jackson via trade, but Jimmy Kempski of Philly.com believes that might actually be optimistic. This year’s draft is unusually deep, meaning that the asking price for picks will be exceptionally high. Clubs may also be concerned about how productive Jackson could be in their own offenses as opposed to Philadelphia’s system. Here’s more from around the NFC:

Zach Links contributed to this post.

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