HEADLINES

James Ihedigbo

Lions Expected To Sign James Ihedigbo

March 13th, 2014 at 12:02pm CST by Luke Adams

12:02pm: Ihedigbo left his visit with the Lions today without officially signing anything, but says it’s very possible he’ll sign soon, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Birkett adds that the free agent safety needs to get his agent situation “squared away” and is heading home to visit his pregnant wife (Twitter links).

8:49am: The Lions and safety James Ihedigbo are expected to reach a contract agreement soon, according to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press had reported earlier today that Ihedigbo was headed to Detroit for a visit.

Ihedigbo, 30, started all 16 games last season for the Ravens after recording just 15 starts in the first five years of his career. With the added playing time, Ihedigbo delivered, ranking 16th among 86 qualified safeties, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), and playing more defensive snaps (1,098) than all but seven of those safeties. As the team’s full-time strong safety, Ihedigbo racked up 100 tackles, grabbed three interceptions, and recovered a pair of fumbles.

Assuming Ihedigbo finalizes a deal with Detroit, he’ll be joining a secondary that lost Louis Delmas but still features Glover Quin. Like Ihedigbo, Quin had a very good season as a strong safety in 2013, so it’ll be interesting to see which player the team plans to move over to free safety. Ihedigbo would also be rejoining Teryl Austin, who served as the Ravens’ secondary coach for the last several seasons. Austin was hired as the Lions’ defensive coordinator earlier this offseason.

FA Visits: Woodley, Munnerlyn, Browner

March 13th, 2014 at 7:25am CST by Luke Adams

Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie and head coach Dennis Allen were out to dinner with edge defenders LaMarr Woodley and Justin Tuck Wednesday night with the Raiders, and things are moving in the right direction with both players, says Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter links). Here’s more from around the NFL on free agent visits:

  • While it sounds as if Woodley’s meeting with the Raiders went well, the ex-Steeler is on his way to Tennessee to meet with the Titans today, tweets Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com.
  • Panthers free agent cornerback Captain Munnerlyn visited the Vikings last night and also has appointments planned with the Jets and Buccaneers, tweets Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer.
  • After reaching an agreement yesterday with ex-Buc Darrelle Revis, the Patriots will host another free agent cornerback for a visit today, according to Mark Ockerbloom of Fox 25 Boston, who tweets that Brandon Browner will meet with the team.
  • Defensive lineman Anthony Spencer is visiting the Redskins, according to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News.
  • The Panthers brought free agent defensive back Roman Harper in for a visit, writes Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.
  • Free agent linebacker Darryl Sharpton is meeting with the Titans today, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • The Lions are hosting free agent safety James Ihedigbo for a visit, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, who notes (via Twitter) that Ihedigbo has a history with new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.