Detroit Lions News

Lions might draft backup QB? Don't believe it
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March 13
Michigan Live
 columnist Tom Kowalski
"One thing is for certain. The Detroit Lions will not draft a quarterback in the first round of the draft this year. However, Lions coach Jim Schwartz opened the door to the possibility that they might do it at some point later in the draft. While discussing how the Lions are going to fill their backup quarterback position (behind Matthew Stafford), Schwartz said: "We'll weigh each option. We'll keep grinding until we find a good fit and something that makes sense. There are a lot of different ways you can go there with older players and, while you can take that first-round draft pick off, maybe at some point in the draft, a quarterback makes sense. "I don't think we've gone into this ..."
Jim Schwartz on WDFN: Upgrading offensive line important, but Lions' other needs are, too
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March 13
Michigan Live
 
"As they have for many years running, the Detroit Lions struggled to find someone to play consistently at left guard last season. But when you're talking about a team that went 2-14 in 2009, it's hard to say any one particular position is that much more important than another area of weakness. Jim Schwartz reiterates his stance that Detroit must identify the best opportunities to upgrade its roster, but that doesn't necessarily mean those opportunities have to be in next month's NFL draft. "(Left guard is) high on the to-do list," the Lions head coach tells MLive Insider Tom Kowalski and John Niyo on WDFN-AM. "Well, I don't know if any of our things are any more important than anything ..."
Caleb Campbell's size, speed draws Lions' interest
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March 13
Michigan Live
 
"When Caleb Campbell was drafted out of Army two years ago, he was a safety who projected to the linebacker position. The Detroit Lions never found out if that experiment was going to work because Campbell was forced to fulfill two years of military service. Now that it's likely he'll join the Lions roster as a free agent on a one-year contract -- the Army still has to give final approval -- there's no question that Campbell is a linebacker. Campbell was in Allen Park earlier this week and worked out for the Lions' coaching staff. "Caleb was a football player, it wasn't just the Lions that liked him when he came out. We did a lot of work on him (in Tennessee). He was a guy who almost ..."
Lions' signings strictly business?
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March 13
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Friday he was happy with the players the team has added so far through free agency, such as defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and receiver Nate Burleson. Even though he had worked with Vanden Bosch in Tennessee and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan worked with Burleson in Minnesota, Schwartz said team scouts and executives reached consensus on the players through their own evaluations. "This wasn't a situation where we brought in one person that we've had experience with," Schwartz told reporters in Allen Park. "It was identify players that fit our scheme, that we had consensus on and aggressively go get those players. Don't wait for bargains. Don't sit there ..."
Jim Schwartz pleased with Lions' acquisitions
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March 13
Detroit Free Press
 
"Here are some highlights from today's news conference with Lions coach Jim Schwartz, who addressed various personnel issues ranging from free agency to next month's NFL draft. Free agency additions: Schwartz said he's happy with the players the team has added so far through free agency, such as defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and receiver Nate Burleson. Touting Vanden Bosch: Schwartz had experience with Vanden Bosch in Tennessee. It hasn't always worked when coaches have brought in their former players, but Schwartz was adamant that Vanden Bosch would be a good fit. "When we put a player like Kyle Vanden Bosch in the locker room," Schwartz said, "that's what I'm all about. And I have no ..."
Lions looked at Antonio Cromartie but decided to move on
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March 12
Michigan Live
 
"Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said today that the team took a long look at the available players who could help them and did not deny that they were in trade talks with the San Diego Chargers about cornerback Antonio Cromartie. The Lions pulled out of those talks and Cromartie was eventually dealt to the Jets. When asked about the pursuit of Cromartie (and free agent Dunta Robinson, which signed with Atlanta), Schwartz said, "We looked at all of those different options and those things were all interesting to us to some extent. Any player who becomes available, we're going to do our homework and find the best fit. Not all of them make sense from a money standpoint and not all of ..."
Lions' Jim Schwartz not 'alarmed' by Gerald McCoy's bench press
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March 12
Michigan Live
 
"Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who the Detroit Lions might consider with their No. 2 overall draft pick, raised some eyebrows at the scouting combine when he only had 23 reps in the bench press (at 225 pounds). There were a half-dozen defensive backs who lifted more. Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who is apparently neck-and-neck with McCoy on the draft boards, had 32 reps. While McCoy is expected to perform another bench press at some point down the road, he opted not to lift at Oklahoma's pro day this week. Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said he wasn't surprised by that decision."
Caleb Campbell's size and speed drew Lions' interest
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March 12
Michigan Live
 
"When Caleb Campbell was drafted out of Army two years ago, he was a safety who projected to the linebacker position. The Detroit Lions never found out if that experiment was going to work because Campbell was forced to fulfill two years of military service. Now that it's likely he'll join the Lions roster as a free agent on a one-year contract - the Army still has to give final approval - there's no question that Campbell is a linebacker. Campbell was in Allen Park earlier this week and worked out for the Lions' coaching staff. "Caleb was a football player, it wasn't just the Lions that liked him when he came out. We did a lot of work on him (in Tennessee). He was a guy who almost ..."
LB Larry Foote: 'I want to get back to a winner'
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March 12
Detroit Free Press
 
"Last year, Larry Foote wanted to come home. Now he wants to "get back to a winner." Foote, who played at Detroit Pershing and Michigan, signed a one-year deal with the Lions last year. He wanted to stay with his hometown team, but talks regarding a multiyear deal stalled in December, when Foote sat out two games with a foot injury, and rookie DeAndre Levy looked good at middle linebacker. After visiting the Redskins and Cardinals, Foote spoke to reporters today in Arizona. He said the Cardinals had not made an offer but he hoped to sign with them. "They're winning," Foote said. "That excites me. I just came from Detroit, 2-14, and I want to get back to a winner." Foote spent the first ..."
Jonathan Wade's goal is to prove he's NFL player
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March 12
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions cornerback Jonathan Wade thought for a moment about what he was going to say, then spoke slowly. "I am looking forward to proving I belong," Wade said Wednesday, after his one-year deal was officially announced. "It's been a quiet three years for me, and I want to do something about that." Wade, 25, was a third-round pick out of Tennessee in 2007. The Rams drafted him when their coach was Scott Linehan, now the Lions' offensive coordinator. The 5-foot-10, 198-pounder ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds at the NFL combine that year. He had been All-America in track in college, though he insisted: "I'm not a runner. I'm a football player to the core. The speed is definitely something ..."
Lions offer contract to Caleb Campbell
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March 12
Detroit Free Press
 
"Caleb Campbell might get a shot to play for the Detroit Lions, after all. He worked out for the team earlier in the week and has been offered a contract, according to goblackknights.com. The Lions drafted Campbell in the seventh round out of West Point in 2008, hoping the college safety could play linebacker and special teams. Then-coach Rod Marinelli was an Army veteran. Then-president Matt Millen's son Marcus had played with Campbell. Campbell was the first Army player drafted since 1997, when Green Bay took quarterback Ronnie McAda with the final pick (240th overall). But just before training camp, Campbell was ordered to military duty instead. The Army had revised the policy that ..."
Army linebacker Caleb Campbell set to rejoin Lions
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March 12
Detroit News
 
"Two years after he became the feel-good story of the 2008 NFL draft, former Army football standout Caleb Campbell is expected to sign a contract with the Lions. Campbell was ordered back to active duty with the Army when it revised its Alternative Service Option policy a few months after Detroit selected him in the seventh round (218th overall). But Campbell, 23, who is stationed at Ft. Sill, Okla., will apply for an early release, as West Point graduates are allowed to do after two years of active duty. And he's getting a second chance with Lions, who offered him a contract after working him out as a linebacker Tuesday in Allen Park. "I ran a great 40(-yard dash) -- I think I clocked in ..."
Jonathan Wade's goal is to prove he's NFL player
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March 11
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions cornerback Jonathan Wade thought for a moment about what he was going to say, then spoke slowly. "I am looking forward to proving I belong," Wade said Wednesday, after his one-year deal was officially announced. "It's been a quiet three years for me, and I want to do something about that." Wade, 25, was a third-round pick out of Tennessee in 2007. The Rams drafted him when their coach was Scott Linehan, now the Lions' offensive coordinator. The 5-foot-10, 198-pounder ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds at the NFL combine that year. He had been All-America in track in college, though he insisted: "I'm not a runner. I'm a football player to the core. The speed is definitely something ..."
Dominic Raiola charged up over Lions' moves
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March 11
Detroit News
 
"Lions center and offensive team captain Dominic Raiola has been around the organization long enough to know that it's never wise to get too excited about offseason transactions or draft picks. But Raiola, 31, said he can't help but get excited about the Lions' newest free-agent additions, and told The News that this is the most excited he's ever been heading into a season. "You know it is a little more exciting because they've made the effort to make this team a little more stable and a little more solid," Raiola said from his home in Hawaii. "They're spending money and trying to make this a better place for people to come to, a more inviting place. With (Matthew) Stafford on the team ..."
New Lions CB Jonathan Wade says he'll fight for starting job
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March 11
Detroit News
 
"New Lions cornerback Jonathan Wade says he'll accept any role he's given to help make Detroit a winner. He doesn't want it to be assumed, however, that he's destined to be a backup. "Unfortunately, I've seen a lot of things (written) that weren't quite as accurate as I would like for them to have been," Wade said Wednesday. "And I'm in no way, shape or form, trying to say, 'Yes, I'm coming in here (to start.)' Because I have not been told, 'You are the starter' -- nothing of that nature. But I want people to know -- fans, followers, everybody -- I'm coming here to fight for a starting position. I'm not just coming here trying to make the team. "I mean, at the end of the day, you want to ..."
Lions GM Martin Mayhew likes to deal
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March 10
Detroit News
 
"When you're the worst team in the league -- or close to it, as the Lions have been -- the options tend to be limited in free agency. Even this year's quick-strike signings required a personal connection to nail down, as the Lions went the extra miles to reel in defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and receiver Nate Burleson. Simply put, Detroit doesn't have South Beach to sell. The Lions don't have a track record of success to bank on as they try to lure untethered, top-end talent in the NFL, either. And in a year where the free-agent pool already was too shallow, that makes it even harder for a cellar dweller to be upwardly mobile. The Lions do have the draft, though. And they have a general ..."
Lions sign Will Heller, Brian Clark and release Dewayne White
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March 9
Michigan Live
 
"The Detroit Lions roster continues to go through a wave of changes as the team announced the signing of tight end Will Heller -- to a three-year contract -- and free agent receiver Brian Clark. The team also has released veteran defensive end Dewayne White, who had a $1 million roster bonus due shortly. Heller was solid for the Lions last year and he'll be the starter until Brandon Pettigrew returns from a knee injury. Pettigrew is expected to start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list and the Lions will bring him along slowly. Last year, Heller had nine starts and caught 29 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns."
Lions say goodbye to defensive end Dewayne White
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March 9
Detroit News
 
"Last December, veteran defensive end Dewayne White hit a sarcastic note when asked about trying to salvage what was left of his individual goals in another disappointing season in Detroit. "I want to be able to get a sack -- that'd be great," White said. "No, I'd like to get more than one, actually." But he didn't get any. And Monday, less than 48 hours after the Lions signed defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch as a free agent, White got his walking papers. The Lions, in another busy day of personnel moves, released White with two years remaining on the five-year, $29 million contract he signed in 2007, when he left Tampa Bay to join his former coach, Rod Marinelli, in Detroit. White, 30, was ..."
Lions complete deal for CB Chris Houston
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March 9
Detroit News
 
"The Detroit Lions have finalized a trade for cornerback Chris Houston from the Atlanta Falcons. The Lions dealt two late-round draft picks for Houston, a second-round pick for Atlanta in 2007. He became expendable after the Falcons signed Dunta Robinson as an unrestricted free agent."
Why the Lions hit the brakes in free agency
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March 8
Michigan Live
 columnist Tom Kowalski
"After making three moves literally within minutes of the opening of the free agent market, the Detroit Lions have slowed down considerably. The reason they've pulled back from their aggressive start is they don't want to sign players who they'll be looking to replace next March. Detroit's three acquisitions -- Kyle Vanden Bosch, Corey Williams and Nate Burleson -- are all expected to be here for several seasons. What the Lions don't want to do is sign a bunch of older stop-gap players who they'll just be looking to replace as soon as possible (such as Grady Jackson and Phillip Buchanon). At the press conference introducing Vanden Bosch and Burleson, Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said he ..."
Lions to send sixth-round pick to Atlanta for CB Chris Houston
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March 8
Michigan Live
 
"In a deal that is expected to be made official Monday, the Detroit Lions have acquired three-year veteran cornerback Chris Houston from the Atlanta Falcons. ESPN reported the Lions will give up a sixth-round draft pick to Atlanta and also switch positions in the fifth round. The Lions now will pick 18th in the fifth round and the Falcons will have the second selection in that round. "We have no comment on that report," Lions spokesman Bill Keenist said. Detroit's top three cornerbacks from last season -- who had 31 of the 32 starts -- all are off the roster. Phillip Buchanon recently was released and Will James an Anthony Henry left via free agency. Nickel back Eric King had the other ..."
Vanden Bosch high on fellow Cornhusker Suh
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March 8
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Lions have added Kyle Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams. But they're not done addressing their defensive line, right? "It'll be interesting," said defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, smiling at the obvious reference to Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh and Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy, candidates to be the Lions' pick No. 2 overall in the NFL draft. "I think we could probably make a flip pretty quick on what we were and what we could be. The organization needs to make all those decisions together, but we certainly took a hard look at the combine." Vanden Bosch said when coach Jim Schwartz recruited him, he told him the Lions would build the defensive line. Vanden Bosch excelled in Tennessee when ..."
Lions coach Jim Schwartz likes new defensive end's motor
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March 8
Detroit News
 
"There are people who look at the declining sack totals the last two seasons by new Lions defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch as proof he's not the same player he was when he had 12 in 2007. Lions coach Jim Schwartz isn't of them. "They can't read between the lines," Schwartz said. "(Vanden Bosch) had 4 1/2 sacks in 2008 when he played 37 percent of the snaps because he tore his groin. And even those 37 percent snaps, probably half of those, are when he was injured. Sacks aren't the final determination of how effective a player is. I think you can get a little too stat-happy when you say, 'He's a declining player because he had three sacks.' He rushed the same as I always remembered him ..."
Lions trade for cornerback Chris Houston, will visit with another Monday
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March 8
Detroit News
 
"The Lions continued to address their deficiencies on defense, trading for Falcons cornerback Chris Houston on Sunday, ESPN reports. The Lions reportedly sent the Falcons a sixth-round pick and the teams also flip-flopped fifth-round picks. The Falcons recently signed free-agent cornerback Dunta Robinson to a six-year, $57 million deal which made Houston expendable. Houston, 25, was a second-round pick (No. 41 overall) by the Falcons in 2007. He's started 37 games in three seasons and has three interceptions and 166 tackles. The Lions had no comment on the report and Houston's agent, Todd France, could not be reached for comment."
Lions will bring in cornerback Jonathan Wade for a look
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March 7
Michigan Live
 
"Jonathan Wade, a third-round pick in 2007 for the St. Louis Rams, will visit the Detroit Lions tomorrow. Wade, who was released by the Rams, could add some depth for the Lions, who have lost their top three cornerbacks from last year. Detroit cut Phillip Buchanon and Will James and Anthony Henry left via free agency. Wade started just six games in his three years with the Rams, including four starts last season."
McCoy better than Suh, according to McCoy
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March 7
Detroit Free Press
 
"You've seen the mock drafts that say the Lions might have their choice of defensive tackles in the NFL draft, Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh or Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy. Assuming that happens -- and the Lions keep the No. 2 pick and haven't decided to go in a different direction after they started stockpiling defensive linemen last week -- whom would you take? The experts agree they're both good but not on who's better. McCoy's pretty sure it's him. "Some people think that he's too nice," he said of Suh, last week on Dan Patrick's DirecTV show."
Schwartz let Vanden Bosch's talent clinch deal
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March 7
Detroit Free Press
 
"Jim Schwartz's relationship with Kyle Vanden Bosch helped the Lions pursue him in free agency, with the coach arriving at the player's house in Nashville, Tenn., with a bottle of wine, stuffed lions for the kids and T-shirts as soon as the market opened at 11 p.m. CT on Thursday. But Schwartz wants to make it clear the relationship wasn't the reason the Lions signed the defensive end to a four-year, $26-million deal that will pay him $10 million in the first year. "We were very careful of not letting that affect our judgment," said Schwartz, who was Vanden Bosch's defensive coordinator for four years in Tennessee. "And I actually played a little possum on this one." Schwartz said he didn't ..."
Wide receiver Nate Burleson upgrades Lions' weapons
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March 7
Detroit Free Press
 
"Before receiver Nate Burleson and the Lions agreed on a contract Friday, they sized up each other Nov. 8 at Seattle's Qwest Field. Burleson ran out to return a punt as the Lions' Calvin Johnson was getting up. "I was kind of like, 'Hey, big man, you all right?' " said Burleson, who's 6-foot, while Johnson is 6-5. "And he stood up, and it just ... he kept ... he kept going. Before I knew it, I went from the ground to looking up. I went to the sideline. I was talking to Deion Branch. I was like, 'Man, have you stood next to that guy? He's huge.' " The Seahawks smothered Johnson that day, limiting him to two catches for 27 yards, even though the Lions targeted him nine times. Burleson led the ..."
Lions' Schwartz: Don't expect another 'big' free-agent signing
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March 7
Detroit News
 
"They made their big splash quickly, as promised. But don't expect much more than ripple effects in free agency from the Lions. "Yeah, I'd be surprised if there was another, you know, big one," coach Jim Schwartz said Saturday, after officially introducing the team's first two free-agent signings, defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and receiver Nate Burleson. So if you're a Lions fan anticipating another blockbuster signing such as running back Thomas Jones or safety Ryan Clark, you may be disappointed. Schwartz isn't, though. "Here's the way I look at it: We solved three big needs on our team," he said, throwing defensive tackle Corey Williams, acquired in a trade with Cleveland, into the ..."
Jim Schwartz wasn't the only Lions coach standing in a driveway
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March 6
Michigan Live
 
"It's been well documented that Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz flew to Nashville to meet with former Tennessee Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch at the stroke of midnight early Friday -- the official start of the NFL's free agency period. Schwartz was able to convince Vanden Bosch to sign a contract with the Lions."
Vanden Bosch on WDFN: I told my wife I can go to Detroit and help that team win
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March 6
Michigan Live
 
"The last time Kyle Vanden Bosch got an up-close and personal look at the Detroit Lions was Thanksgiving, 2008. Vanden Bosch's Tennessee Titans thrashed the Lions to the tune of 47-10, helping Detroit along to its infamous 0-16 season. So why would the 31-year-old defensive end pack up and move to Detroit. In a word, optimism, he says on WDFN-AM. "Detroit is a great sports city," Vanden Bosch says, "and if we can get some wins and get some excitement back with the Lions, it's gonna just be an incredible feeling. ..."
Lions release defensive tackle Grady Jackson
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March 6
Michigan Live
 
"As the Detroit Lions continue to upgrade their roster, it means that some of last year's upgrades are not only getting downgraded, but shown the door. The Lions, who recently released cornerback Phillip Buchanon, alos have announced today that they've released veteran defensive tackle Grady Jackson. Both players were signed as free agents last year. The Lions still have depth at tackle where they picked up Corey Williams in a trade with the Cleveland Browns and also still have Sammie Hill, Landon Cohen and Andre Fluellen on the roster"
Report: Lions re-sign offensive lineman Jon Jansen to a one-year deal
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March 6
Michigan Live
 
"The Detroit Lions continued an active day, re-signing free agent offensive lineman Jon Jansen. March 5, ESPN: The Lions reached a one-year agreement with backup offensive lineman Jon Jansen, a source told ESPN.com's John Clayton. Jansen accepted the NFL minimum of $860,000, the source said.Jansen was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1999 and played 10 years with the team before being released last year. He signed with the Lions just hours after being cut."
Kyle Vanden Bosch: Jim Schwartz's late visit sold him on coming to Lions
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March 6
Michigan Live
 
"For a football team that has been left standing out in the cold for the past decade or so, Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz was taking quite a chance standing in a driveway at 11 p.m. on a chilly Thursday night. Schwartz was in Tennessee, visiting the home of former Titans' defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, the Lions' primary target in free agency. Because NFL rules stipulate a team can't make contact with players until midnight, Schwartz flew down to Nashville and drove to Vanden Bosch's house without the player's knowledge. "I was shocked," Vanden Bosch said. "I was kind of gearing up all day, waiting for 11 o'clock (Central time) and wondering what was going to happen. "Coach Schwartz ..."
Lions get Corey Williams, seventh-round pick from Browns for fifth-rounder
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March 6
Michigan Live
 
"Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said that Detroit sent a fifth-round draft pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for defensive tackle Corey Williams and a seventh-round draft pick. The fifth-round choice is Detroit's second of that round -- the one they received in a trade with Denver last season -- in this year's draft. The Lions introduced Williams to the media today, but have indicated they will not bring out either Kyle Vanden Bosch or Nate Burleson for interviews."
Cleveland gets Detroit Lions' fifth-round pick in trade for Corey Williams
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March 6
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Browns slightly upgraded the quality of their draft pick stockpile with the trade of defensive lineman Corey Williams to Detroit. It may help them in the search for a new quarterback. Williams -- a huge disappointment who never warmed to the Browns' 3-4, two-gap defensive system -- was dealt to the Lions for a fifth-round pick previously owned by Denver. The Browns also threw in their seventh-round pick. So the Browns still have 11 picks in the April 22-24 draft. They have their own selections in each of the first six rounds, plus these extras: the Jets' pick in the third, Tampa Bay's pick in the fifth, the Jets' pick in the fifth, Denver's pick in the fifth, and Carolina's pick in the ..."
Kyle Vanden Bosch leaves Titans for Lions in free agency
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March 6
Tennessean
 
"Jim Schwartz couldn't promise Kyle Vanden Bosch wins, not after the Detroit Lions finished 2-14 last season. He couldn't point to history, since the Lions haven't had a winning season in a decade or a playoff victory since 1991. But in a late-night visit to Vanden Bosch's Nashville home on Thursday, the coach made enough of a sales pitch to persuade the former Titans defensive end to join him. A four-year, $26 million contract didn't hurt, of course, especially since it included $10 million guaranteed this year."
Will Schwartz pay visit to Bulluck next?
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March 6
Tennessean
 
"Keith Bulluck might want to move his Doberman Pinschers inside. You never know where Jim Schwartz might be lurking. The Lions coach and former Titans defensive coordinator paid defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch a visit just as the free-agent market opened on Thursday night. So now it won't be a complete surprise if he makes a similar recruiting pitch to Bulluck. Bulluck, of course, is still recovering from knee surgery, so he has plenty of time to make a decision. There's no sense of urgency on either side right now, but I almost expect the Lions to make a run at Bulluck at some point."
Schwartz sold Vanden Bosch on Lions
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March 6
Tennessean
 
"Jim Schwartz couldn't sell Kyle Vanden Bosch on the Lions' winning tradition. They don't really have one. But in an overnight meeting at the veteran defensive end's Nashville home, he made him feel wanted, and that's what mattered most to Vanden Bosch. Schwartz convinced him better days were ahead in Detroit. The Lions finished 2-14 in 2009, his first season as a head coach after serving as Titans defensive coordinator from 2001-08. Here's some of what Vanden Bosch said about their visit:"
Lions' Jon Jansen agrees to 1-year contract
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March 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"Offensive tackle Jon Jansen has agreed to a one-year, $850,000 deal to remain with the Detroit Lions. Jansen, who played at Clawson High and Michigan, signed with his hometown team as a free agent last year after a standout 10-year career with the Redskins. He played mostly a backup role, starting two of the 11 games he played, and served as a mentor to younger players like right tackle Gosder Cherilus, a 2008 first-round pick. He turned 34 on Jan. 28."
Lions making progress with these moves
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March 6
Detroit Free Press
 columnist Michael Rosenberg
"The Lions have tried to make a big splash in free agency before, only to discover that there was no water in the pool. But this feels different. The signings of Kyle Vanden Bosch and Nate Burleson and the trade for Corey Williams make sense, not just in a vacuum but in the context of what the Lions are trying to do. Finally, there is a plan. Now, I don't know if the plan will work. With the Lions, skepticism is not just healthy, it is mandatory. But let's look at why the Lions made these moves. I've written this before, but what made the Lions so awful the past two years -- as opposed to very bad -- is they didn't do anything well. Even bad teams usually have strengths. Maybe they have a ..."
New Lion Corey Williams: 'I can get back to my old self'
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March 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"Defensive tackle Corey Williams walked through team headquarters in Allen Park today wearing a Detroit Lions jacket on his 6-foot-4, 320-pound frame, a Lions hat on his head and a big smile on his face.

"I can get back to my old self," Williams said. Williams is returning to a defensive system that suits his skill set, thanks to a trade finalized today in which the Lions sent a fifth-round pick to the Browns for Williams and a seventh-rounder. With the Packers in 2006 and '07, Williams recorded seven sacks per season. He was a penetrator in a 4-3 scheme. The Packers designated him their franchise player in '08, but unwilling to pay him big money, they traded him to the ..."

Guard Artis Hicks reportedly will visit Lions
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March 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Detroit Lions have at least one free-agent guard on their radar: Artis Hicks, an eight-year NFL veteran who spent the last four years with the Vikings. Chip Scoggins, who covers the Vikings for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, posted on his Twitter page that he has confirmed Hicks will visit Washington, Arizona and Detroit in the next few days. Hicks, 31, fits the Lions' profile in terms of size. He's listed at 6-feet-4 and 335 pounds. He played all 16 games for the Vikings last year, with three starts. He hasn't been a full-time starter since 2004-06, when he started 41 games for the Eagles and Vikings."
Lions bringing back TE Will Heller, LB Vinny Ciurciu
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March 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Detroit Lions are bringing back tight end Will Heller and linebacker Vinny Ciurciu, but there appears to be no progress with some of their other unrestricted free agents, such as linebacker Larry Foote, cornerback Will James and safety Marquand Manuel.

Heller's agent, Philip Williams, wrote in an e-mail today: "He is going to stay in Detroit." Ciurciu received a one-year deal to stay with the Lions. Talks stalled long ago with Foote, and there has been little action with James and Manuel."

Lions' aggressive salesmanship nets two prized free agents
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March 6
Detroit News
 
"The Lions didn't want to leave anything to chance. And not that there was much mystery about their intentions heading into free agency, but Lions coach Jim Schwartz's late-night house call in Nashville to lock up free-agent defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch certainly left an impression, while sending a message. "It was a strange deal because I was talking back and forth with my agent all day trying to figure out what to expect and just kept waiting, waiting, waiting," Vanden Bosch told WGFX radio in Nashville. "Then 11 o'clock (Central time) came and my phone rang and it was Coach Schwartz. He said, 'I'm down at your gate. I want to come talk to you.' "He came and we talked. And Coach ..."
Lions get Corey Williams from Browns to boost pass rush
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March 6
Detroit News
 
"The Lions needed a major upgrade along their defensive line and help arrived in a big way Friday. The Lions agreed to contract terms with coveted free-agent defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, and they also acquired defensive tackle Corey Williams in trade with Cleveland. Williams, 29, was introduced to the media by Lions general manager Martin Mayhew on Friday. "Corey is going to be a great addition to our defense," Mayhew said. "Very solid run defender -- and what I like about him most is his ability to rush. He is a really good pass rusher. That was an area where I thought we really struggled last year and Corey is going to help us there, and I think he'll be a big part of our defense ..."
Lions re-sign Jon Jansen and Vinny Ciurciu, cut Grady Jackson
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March 6
Detroit News
 
"Lions offensive tackle Jon Jansen and linebacker Vinny Ciurciu will return to the team in 2010 on one-year deals, the team said Friday. Jansen's contract will be for $900,000; financial terms for Ciurciu were not announced. Jansen, who grew up in Clawson and played college football at Michigan, signed with the Lions last season after 10 years with the Redskins.

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Jansen, 34, started two of the 11 games he played in last season. "It wasn't just about playing for another year," Jansen said. "I think Jim (Schwartz), Martin (Mayhew) and Tom (Lewand) have made some great moves to make this team better. I want to be a part of something I think can be pretty ..."

Lions' Jansen signs 1-year contract
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March 5
Detroit Free Press
 
"Offensive tackle Jon Jansen has agreed to a one-year, $850,000 deal to remain with the Detroit Lions. Jansen, who played at Clawson High and Michigan, signed with his hometown team as a free agent last year after a standout 10-year career with the Redskins."
Vanden Bosch agrees to four-year deal with Lions
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March 5
Nashville City Paper
 
"Kyle Vanden Bosch's stay on the free agent market was a short one, as the defensive end agreed to a deal with the Detroit Lions, just hours after Lions head coach Jim Schwartz arrived at his Nashville area home at the start of the free agency period. Vanden Bosch agreed to a four-year contract with the Lions on Friday morning worth $26 million. His agent Tony Agnone confirmed to The City Paper that the agreement had been reached between the Lions and his client. "Kyle has loved every minute in Nashville," Agnone said, "and thanks the fans for their support. He is looking forward to the new challenge in Detroit." Vanden Bosch will be joining a Lions team that Schwartz is charged with ..."
Lions reach deal with Kyle Vanden Bosch
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March 5
Detroit Free Press
 
"Coach Jim Schwartz got his man today when the Detroit Lions agreed to a four-year deal with defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch. He did it with an aggressive personal touch, expressing confidence in Vanden Bosch and assuring him that the Lions have a larger rebuilding plan. Schwartz showed up at Vanden Bosch’s house in Nashville, Tenn., as the free-agent market opened at midnight. Schwartz was Vanden Bosch’s defensive coordinator for four years with the Titans. “Kyle was our No. 1 priority in free agency,” Schwartz told si.com. “I sat in his driveway and waited until midnight ET to send him a text and tell him I was there. I think he is going to be a perfect fit for our defense, not only as a ..."