Ricky Jean-Francois Visits Lions

Matt Patricia is looking to add some of his former Patriots defenders. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois visited with the Lions earlier today.

While Detroit’s new head coach may have interest in the defender, it doesn’t sound like New England is interested in retaining him. We heard last week that the Patriots likely wouldn’t be re-signing the 31-year-old.

The 2009 seventh-round pick was cut twice by the Packers last year before landing with New England. The Patriots also released him, but he quickly re-signed and remained with the club through their trip to the Super Bowl. The nine-year veteran ultimately finished the season with 10 tackles in six games for New England (he had another two tackles in six games with Green Bay).

Last week, the free agent said he was hoping his improvement in New England may help him generate some suitors this offseason.

“I plan on continuing to play at the highest level,” Jean-Francois said in a statement released through his PF agency (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss). “Hopefully I made a strong case for myself this past season. I did absolutely everything I could to help the Patriots during my short time there, and I learned that playbook immediately. It takes a special type of player and discipline to do that so quickly. My priority right now is to find a stable home where I can step in and make a similar impact for a few more seasons before I ride off into the sunset.”