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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Stevan Ridley Visiting Lions

March 29th, 2016 at 9:32am CST by Luke Adams

The Lions are hosting free agent running back Stevan Ridley for a visit today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). As Rapoport notes, Ridley is now two years removed from the major ACL/MCL injury that ended his 2014 season.Stevan Ridley

A former third-round pick, Ridley averaged 5.1 yards per carry in limited action during his rookie season in 2011, then exploded for 1,263 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in 2012. However, fumbling issues landed him on the bench in New England, and his knee injury limited him in both 2014 and 2015.

After spending his first four years in the NFL with the Patriots, Ridley signed with the Jets last year, but didn’t see the field all that much after coming off the PUP list. With Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell handling the majority of the workload out of the backfield, Ridley took over for Zac Stacy as the No. 3 back and earned just 36 carries, totaling only 90 yards for a career-worst 2.5 yards per attempt.

If he’s healthier this year than he was in 2015 though, Ridley could be worth a flier to see if he can regain anything close to his 2012 form. For the Lions, Ameer Abdullah figures to head into the 2016 season as the No. 1 option on the depth chart, but the club could use some veteran depth after releasing Joique Bell earlier in the offseason.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Jim Bob Cooter Watched Laquon Treadwell At Pro Day

March 28th, 2016 at 6:50pm CST by Zachary Links
  • Of course, Treadwell drew quite a crowd with wide receiver coaches from the Chargers and Cardinals on hand to see him along with Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter and top officials from the Rams, Pauline writes.

    [SOURCE LINK]

Lions To Meet With Vonn Bell

March 25th, 2016 at 7:18pm CST by Sam Robinson
  • The Browns, Buccaneeers, Lions and Saints are gracing Ohio State safety Vonn Bell‘s itinerary for workouts and/or meetings, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets. The early-entry Buckeyes safety already met with Tennessee.

Lions Rumors: S. Martin, Center, Frohnapfel

March 25th, 2016 at 12:58pm CST by Luke Adams

Standout players like Ezekiel Ansah and Darius Slay will receive most of the attention when the Lions look to extend members of their 2013 draft class. But Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press warns not to overlook a late-rounder from ’13 — fifth-round punter Sam Martin recently changed agents, hiring Sean Kiernan and Erik Burkhardt of Select Sports, signaling that he’s open to discussing a new contract.

Martin, 26, won’t be in line for any sort of mega-deal, but he should do well for a punter. In 2015, his 42.0 net-yard average was fourth in the NFL, and just three of his 80 attempts went for touchbacks. As Over The Cap’s data shows, to crack the top 10 highest-paid punters in the league, Martin would have to average $2.8MM annually on an extension, and he’s probably a good bet to match or exceed that figure.

Here’s more out of Detroit:

  • The Lions have made a habit of including playing-time incentives and/or per-game roster bonuses in most of the free agent contracts they’ve handed out this offseason, Birkett observes in a piece for the Free Press. New GM Bob Quinn explained that it’s a way to protect the team a little, while also giving players a chance to max out their value. “We want these guys to earn their contracts,” Quinn said.
  • The Lions weren’t in the mix for Alex Mack and haven’t shown any real interest in the second tier of free agent centers, but the team would still like to add some competition for center Travis Swanson, according to Birkett. Quinn was noncommittal when asked if the center position would be a priority in the draft: “If there’s a center there that I like, yeah. I mean, you tell me who’s going to be there and I’ll tell you if it’s a priority or not.”
  • Massachusetts quarterback Blake Frohnapfel met with a Lions scout and quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan in advance of his pro day on Thursday, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

Lions Draft Rumors: Coleman, Frohnapfel, Milhouse

March 24th, 2016 at 6:00pm CST by Zachary Links
  • Baylor wide receiver Corey Coleman has workouts and/or visits set with the 49ers, Bengals, Lions, Bears, Panthers, and Browns, Getlin tweets.
  • UMass QB Blake Frohnapfel spent time with the Lions and Chargers on Thursday, according to Pauline.
  • Campbell defensive tackle Greg Milhouse has official visits set up with the Giants and Lions, per Pauline.

Lions Interested In Ryan Smith

March 23rd, 2016 at 4:57pm CST by Zachary Links
  • The Jets, Lions, and Bengals all sent position coaches to watch North Carolina Central corner Ryan Smith work out, Pauline writes. Smith also interviewed with the Jets prior to his pro day.
  • Former Clemson safety Jayron Kearse has met with, or is set to visit and/or workout with the Lions, Steelers, Jaguars, and Jets, Getlin tweets.

    [SOURCE LINK]

Rod Wood Would Be "Very Surprised" If Calvin Johnson Ever Returned To The NFL

March 22nd, 2016 at 9:36pm CST by Rory Parks
  • There was some speculation earlier this month that Calvin Johnson wanted to retire as a free agent rather than under Lions control so that, in case he ever came out of retirement, he would be free to choose his next destination. Of course, Megatron ultimately retired as a member of the Lions, but according to Detroit president Rod Wood, it’s a moot point anyway, as he would be “very surprised” if Johnson ever expressed a desire to return to the NFL (video link via Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press).

Lions To Explore Extensions For 2013 Draftees After Draft

March 22nd, 2016 at 4:06pm CST by Luke Adams
  • Lions GM Bob Quinn indicated today that the team’s extension discussions with 2013’s draft class likely won’t really heat up until after the draft, per Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (Twitter link). Ezekiel Ansah and Darius Slay are, of course, the two most noteworthy extension candidates who fit that bill.

Lions Trying To Trade Stephen Tulloch

March 22nd, 2016 at 3:27pm CST by Luke Adams
  • Although it still appears that linebacker Stephen Tulloch isn’t in the Lions‘ plans for 2016, the team is trying to trade him rather than release him, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. The fact that the Lions plan to cut Tulloch if they can’t find a trade partner means that it may be difficult for the team to find an offer.
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