HEADLINES

Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Lions Re-Sign Dan Orlovsky

March 7th, 2015 at 12:30pm CST by Luke Adams

SATURDAY, 12:30pm: Orlovsky earned a bit of raise in his new contract with the Lions. ESPN’s Adam Caplan reports (via Twitter) that the one-year deal is worth $1.05MM, with $140K guaranteed.

MONDAY, 2:58pm: As expected, the Lions have re-signed Matthew Stafford‘s backup Dan Orlovsky, ensuring that their No. 2 signal-caller is under contract for the 2015 season, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com, who reports that it’s a one-year deal.

Orlovsky, 31, didn’t see game action in 2014, as Stafford stayed healthy for the whole season. The former Buccaneer last played in a regular season game in 2012 for Tampa Bay. Orlovsky and Kellen Moore are both eligible for free agency this winter, and the Lions have indicated they won’t tender Moore a restricted free agent offer, though the team would still like to bring him back. Moore also didn’t see any action in 2014, despite the fact that all three QBs were on the 53-man roster.

Lions general manager Martin Mayhew had identified Orlovsky and long snapper Don Mulhbach at the combine as two under-the-radar free agents the team hoped to re-sign, and now both players are under contract for 2015. Coming off a minimum salary benefit with the maximum ($65K) bonus, Orlovsky will likely receive the same deal this time around — the minimum salary, with the maximum ($80K) bonus.

FA Notes: Spiller, Murray, Thomas, Williams

March 7th, 2015 at 10:22am CST by Ben Levine

The Vikings philosophy heading into this offseason may similar to their strategy last year. The team looked for under-the-radar signings, and they were rewarded by one of their bargain contracts. Defensive tackle Tom Johnson inked a minimum one-year contract with the squad, and he ultimately finished the season with 6.5 sacks.

“Tom Johnson last year, we were patient, and he came in and did a nice job for us as an inside nickel rusher,” general manager Rick Spielman told Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “A lot of times, if you can, you sit back and hopefully let the market settle a little bit.”

It sounds like the organization will be just as patient this time around, especially based on coach Mike Zimmer‘s comments.

“You use free agency to try to plug in a couple of holes here a bit,” said Zimmer. “I don’t believe we’re going to go out and pay some guy a whole bunch of money. Like when I was in Cincinnati and a lot of places, we would kind of go with the lower end of free agents, kind of coach them and hope they fit in the system.”

Let’s take a look at some rumors surrounding the league’s top free agents…

  • Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports gives a list of teams that have interest in running back C.J. Spiller (via Twitter): the Patriots, Jets, Dolphins, Cardinals, 49ers, Lions and Washington.
  • Furthermore, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com says Spiller will be an option for the Cowboys if DeMarco Murray signs elsewhere. Regardless, Florio quotes Spiller referring to himself as a “former” member of the Bills.
  • Peyton Manning‘s reduced salary doesn’t guarantee that the Broncos will bring back tight end Julius Thomas, writes Florio. The organization is still strapped financially, and Florio notes that come teams, including the Seahawks, Jaguars and Raiders, may have the money to lure him away from Denver.
  • The Lions could soon be in the market for a new defensive tackle, and Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press says Cardinals lineman Dan Williams is atop the team’s list of potential Ndamukong Suh replacements.

Minor Moves: Friday

March 6th, 2015 at 3:51pm CST by Zachary Links

Exclusive rights free agent Ryan Davis signed a deal with the Jaguars today, according to the team’s Twitter account. The defensive end signed with the Jaguars in May 2012 after going undrafted. He played in one game as a rookie and seven games in 2013 before sticking on the roster last year for 16 games and recording 6.5 sacks. Today’s minor moves..

  • Quarterback Tajh Boyd has agreed to terms with the Steelers on a one-year deal, multiple league sources tell Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). The Clemson product was drafted by the Jets in the sixth round of the 2014 draft.
  • The Broncos officially announced that they have tendered offers to three exclusive rights free agents: linebacker Brandon Marshall, tackle Paul Cornick, and guard Ben Garland, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
  • The Browns announced they re-signed exclusive rights free agents running back Shaun Draughn and punter Spencer Lanning, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (via Twitter).
  • The Jaguars declined to tender offers to their five restricted free agents, Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union writes. Fullback Will Ta’ufo’ou, cornerback Teddy Williams, tailback/kick returner Jordan Todman, guard Jacques McClendon, and tight end Fendi Onobun will now become unrestricted free agents.
  • The Lions gave defensive end George Johnson an original-round tender and wide receiver Jeremy Ross an exclusive rights tender, Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com writes.
  • The Chiefs have tendered ERFA Junior Hemingway, according to a source that spoke with Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (on Twitter). Hemingway, 26, is a fourth-year pro who caught 12 passes for 108 yards in 14 games as a backup last season.
  • The 49ers have tendered exclusive-rights free agents Michael Wilhoite and Tony Jerod-Eddie, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com tweets.
  • As expected, the Cardinals declined to tender either one of their restricted free agents, Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic tweets. Both quarterback Ryan Lindley and nose tackle Alameda Ta’amu will hit the open market.

Lions Re-Sign Kellen Moore

March 6th, 2015 at 12:11pm CST by Luke Adams

A few days after finalizing a deal to bring back one of Matthew Stafford‘s backups, the Lions have officially locked up the other one. Per Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com, the club has re-signed third-string quarterback Kellen Moore to a two-year contract.

Moore, 25, didn’t come close to appearing in a regular-season game for the Lions in 2014, and has yet to appear in a game during his three-year NFL career. However, the team was likely impressed by his performance during the preseason last year — Moore completed 35 of 51 passes for 361 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions during those exhibition games, with a passer rating of 108.4.

If Stafford were to go down with an injury, Dan Orlovsky, who inked a new deal with the Lions earlier this week, would likely be first in line to replace him. However, the club was willing to carry three quarterbacks for the entire 2014 season, so there’s no reason to think Moore doesn’t have a good chance to make the roster once again in 2015.

Moore had been eligible for restricted free agency.

Matt Prater, Lions Agree To Three-Year Deal

March 6th, 2015 at 10:37am CST by Luke Adams

After running through a gauntlet of inconsistent kickers early in the 2014 season, the Lions settled on veteran Matt Prater, and now the team is prepared to roll with Prater for 2015 and beyond. According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, the two sides have agreed to terms on a three-year contract. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter) that Prater’s three-year deal will be worth $9MM.

“I am thankful for this opportunity and excited to come back to Detroit,” Prater said in a statement, via a team release confirming the agreement. “I hope to do my part to help this team win. … I am also looking forward to returning and working with both Sam [Martin] and Mule (Don Muhlbach). We had to adjust quickly to each other in the middle of the season, and this off-season will be valuable in our preparation for the coming year.”

Prater, 30, began the 2014 season by serving a four-game suspension in Denver for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, and was ultimately cut by the Broncos, ending a seven-year tenure with the club. After signing with the Lions, Prater was a little shaky in his first few games, but settled down and ended up making 21 of 26 field goal attempts. In 2013, he was a Pro Bowler, making all but one of 26 field goal attempts for the Broncos.

Dolphins Confident About Chances For Suh

March 6th, 2015 at 9:25am CST by Luke Adams

All week, we’ve been told that the Dolphins will be a team to watch in the Ndamukong Suh sweepstakes, and today, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald confirms that the team’s interest in the All-Pro defensive tackle is very legit. According to Salguero, the Dolphins are confident that they can put a “great offer” on the table for Suh, and potentially sign him.

While Salguero cautions that Suh-to-Miami is far from a certainty at this point, given all the factors – and suitors – in play, the Dolphins will “definitely” be involved in the bidding, and are confident about their chances of landing the Lions star. Miami will have plenty of competition — in addition to the Lions, teams that have been cited this week as potential bidders for Suh include the Giants, Colts, and Washington, and Salguero adds the Jaguars and Titans to that list as well.

As Salguero details, Suh will be looking to become the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL, which will likely mean a six-year deal averaging $17MM annually, for a total of $102MM. That would just barely edge out J.J. Watt‘s six-year, $100MM contract. The guarantee for Suh will be significant as well. Salguero suggests that at least $30MM will have to be fully guaranteed, with potentially another $25MM or so in additional guarantees.

The Dolphins will have an advantage over a few other teams in the mix for Suh due to the lack of state tax in Florida. However, the Jaguars are also in Florida, which may make them Miami’s toughest competition for the former second overall pick.

Whether or not the Dolphins land Suh, the club will be looking at potential free agent additions at multiple positions on defense, writes Salguero, pointing to middle linebacker and the secondary as two spots where the team could use upgrades.

North Notes: Suh, Hoyer, Cutler, Tulloch

March 5th, 2015 at 9:47pm CST by Dallas Robinson

When he officially becomes a free agent next Tuesday, Ndamukong Suh is expected to garner a “massive” contract, in the words of Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link), who hears from insiders that the Lions defensive tackle could receive $17MM per year with as much as $60MM guaranteed.

That guaranteed figure in particular sounds high, as that total would be the highest in the NFL (Aaron Rodgers currently is No. 1 with $54MM in guarantees). However, with the league-wide salary cap continuing to rise, and a number of clubs enjoying ample amounts of cap space, nothing is out of the question. La Canfora adds that the Dolphins are hot on Suh’s trail, noting that if Miami doesn’t add the 28-year-old, it “won’t be for lack of effort.”

Here’s more from the North divisions…

  • After the Browns signed Josh McCown last month, fellow quarterback Brian Hoyer‘s tenure in Cleveland presumably came to an end. Hoyer confirmed as much to Jim Corbett of USA Today, saying that he’ll be looking to compete for a starting job elsewhere. “It’s good for both sides to get a fresh start and go our separate ways,” said Hoyer, who should sit near the top free agent QB market alongside Mark Sanchez.
  • Though not a free agent like Hoyer, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has been the subject of just as many rumors during the offseason, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirms what most already suspected: teams around the league know that Cutler is available via trade. I outlined why it could be difficult for Chicago to deal Cutler in our Bears’ Offseason Outlook.
  • Via an Instagram post, Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch indicates that he’ll return to Detroit next season. Tulloch isn’t a free agent, but his $5.8MM 2015 cap hit, combined with an ACL injury, lead to speculation that he’d be released. Tulloch is reportedly progressing well in his recovery, and while his post obviously doesn’t make his return official, one can assume that Lions management has told him he’ll be retained.

Raiders Plan To Host Suh For Visit

March 5th, 2015 at 1:30pm CST by Luke Adams

In just two days, Ndamukong Suh‘s agent will be able to speak to teams besides the Lions, and there has been no shortage of clubs with reported interest in the star defensive lineman. The Dolphins, Colts, Giants, and Washington are among the teams who have been identified as likely suitors for Suh since the Lions opted not to franchise him on Monday.

Of course, throughout the process, the Raiders have been viewed as one of Suh’s top potential suitors, given the team’s abundance of cap space and the way the defensive tackle would fit into the team’s 4-3 scheme. According to Mike Silver of the NFL Network (via Twitter), Oakland’s interest in Suh is very real — the Raiders are planning to bring the former second overall pick in for a visit next week.

If any team is poised to overpay Suh in free agency this month, it may be the Raiders. The club has the second-most cap room in the NFL, needs to increase its spending over the next two years to reach the minimum threshold, and could badly use a difference-making player like Suh. While Oakland’s defensive tackles weren’t terrible in 2014, Pat Sims, Justin Ellis, and Antonio Smith all recorded sub-par overall grades according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required).

Of course, the Lions still have a few days to work out an agreement with Suh before he’s eligible to sign with another team on Tuesday. However, having come this far, it seems unlikely that Suh wouldn’t take the opportunity to at least hear pitches from rival suitors, even if he ultimately decides to return to Detroit.

NFC FA Rumors: Cole, Hardy, McDonald, Hawk

March 5th, 2015 at 12:46pm CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles officially announced on Wednesday that they’ve released Trent Cole from his contract, and the veteran edge defender didn’t waste much time in scheduling his first free agent visit. According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Cole is meeting with the Buccaneers, a team that runs a 4-3 system. Having played in the Eagles’ 3-4 scheme for the last two years, Cole is viewed as a better fit as a defensive end for a 4-3 club, and Tampa Bay is certainly in need of an outside pass rusher.

As we wait to see if anything comes of Cole’s visit with the Bucs, let’s check in on a few more free agent updates from around the NFC….

  • NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says there’s nothing stopping a player on the exempt list from signing a new contract, which is good news for Panthers defensive Greg Hardy (link via ESPN.com). The league has yet to announce its decision on whether or not Hardy will face discipline for alleged off-field conduct, which could diminish enthusiasm for the defensive end on the open market, but he’ll still be able to negotiate with teams and accept an offer next week.
  • In other legal news, agent Tom Condon has informed teams that the Santa Clara District Attorney won’t be pursuing charges against free agent defensive lineman Ray McDonald, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). According to Condon, the Santa Clara DA hasn’t fully completed the release, but McDonald’s counsel has been informed of the decision. Since McDonald was cut by the Niners in December, he’s eligible to sign a new contract anytime.
  • Linebacker A.J. Hawk may not be totally out of the picture in Green Bay, according to Bob McGinn and Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who report that the Packers left the door open for the linebacker’s possible return.
  • In addition to hosting Ted Ginn Jr. for a visit this week, the 49ers also met with former Vikings wideout Jerome Simpson, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Simpson, who was suspended at the start of the 2014 season, was cut by Minnesota and hasn’t appeared in a regular season game since 2013. The Niners, meanwhile, are on the lookout for receivers, since they could part ways with Michael Crabtree, Brandon Lloyd, and Stevie Johnson this month.
  • Appearing on SportsCenter today, cornerback Byron Maxwell suggested he would like to sign with a team that plays a Cover 3 scheme like the Seahawks do, tweets Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Advocate. Of course, if a team running another coverage scheme makes Maxwell a big offer, I would guess he’d be willing to compromise that stance.
  • Lions offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds is expected to test the free agent market next week, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.

NFC North Notes: Peterson, Suh, Guion

March 4th, 2015 at 9:11pm CST by Zachary Links

Adrian Peterson has been the model of consistency as an NFL running back, Michael Rand of the Star Tribune writes. The question now is, will he continue to bring that on-field consistency for the Vikings? The latest on that and other news from the NFC North..

  • Peterson met with Vikings coach Mike Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman, but it doesn’t sound like he’s quite ready to kiss and make up. “I appreciate Rick and Coach Zimmer coming down to see me today,” Peterson said in a statement, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN (via Twitter). “We had a great dialogue and they were able to understand where I was coming from and concerns my family and I still have. We respect each other and hopefully the situation can pan out so that everyone involved is content.”
  • Packers defensive tackle and pending free agent Letroy Guion has agreed to a deferred prosecution agreement, which will result in probation, as Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com writes. Packers general manager Ted Thompson said last month at the NFL scouting combine that the team is monitoring Guion’s situation and coach Mike McCarthy has indicated that he’d be open to having him back. Tyler Dunne of the Journal-Sentinel (on Twitter), meanwhile, spoke to the State Attorney’s office and heard that no agreement has been reached yet. If the end result is probation for Guion, it’ll be highly preferable to jail, which was a possibility.
  • The Lions are focused on keeping their own, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets. They haven’t given up on keeping Ndamukong Suh – even though it’ll be tough – and they’ve had productive talks with fellow free agent defensive tackle Nick Fairley this week.
Load More Posts