Earlier this week, there was some buzz surrounding Detroit Lions wide receiver Titus Young and the possibility that he might be used as a punt returner/kick returner.

With the lockout last season, Young didn’t get to strengthen his skills on special teams, something that head coach Jim Schwartz would have liked to do. So with Young coming off a very productive and successful rookie season at WR, Schwartz isn’t ruling anything out.

“We have competition at just about every position,” Schwartz said. “We never shy away from that. And returns were part of Titus’ profile in terms of drafting him. But you are talking about a guy, a rookie, who missed just about all of training camp last year. We were just trying to get him up to speed at the wide receiver position.”

The Lions might also be concerned about the production of Stefan Logan, who didn’t exactly have a great 2011 season. Schwartz says, however, some of the drop in production may be the result of the change in kick-off rules. » Continue reading “Could Titus Young Be Used on Special Teams?”

Don’t let any of those optimistic-always-find-the-good-in-everything-claim-they-don’t-believe-in-jinxes people tell you that having Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson grace the cover of Madden 13 would be “good for the city of Detroit.”

Because, no, nope, no … it just wouldn’t. I suppose in some sick, twisted, alternate universe it could be looked on as an “honor” of sorts. But that was before players started dying as the result of being voted on the cover.

OK, that last part never happened. But that doesn’t mean that the jinx isn’t real.

And it’s becoming even more real. At least for Detroit Lions fans. Johnson moved on to the second round of voting, by beating out Kansas City Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe. Johnson received 92 percent of the vote. Sigh. » Continue reading “Calvin Johnson on Madden NFL 13 Cover? Worst. Idea. Ever.”

According to Anwar Richardson, the Detroit Lions have agreed to a one-year deal with running back Kevin Smith. The remaining details of the contract  are not yet known.

After not being re-signed following the 2010 season, it was unclear whether Smith would see the football field in 2011. But with Mikel Leshoure and Jahvid Best both hurt, the Lions brought him back for the final eight games of the season.

Smith made an immediate impact, compiling 201 yards and three touchdowns against Carolina in his second week back. Unfortunately he injured himself the following week against Green Bay and battled that injury the remainder of the season. » Continue reading “Lions Re-Sign RB Kevin Smith to One-Year Deal”

As expected, the Detroit Lions received zero compensatory picks in the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft. Since the Lions didn’t lose more free agents than they gained last season, they weren’t afforded any additional picks.

Compensatory picks are determined by a closely guarded formula. Teams that lose more or better free agents than they sign receive additional selections.

There were 15 teams that received at least one compensatory pick including the Packers (4) and the Vikings (2) in the NFC North.

With the loss of CB Eric Wright and QB Drew Stanton, the Lions will probably be awarded a compensatory pick or two next season.

You can find me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MelissaHeyboer  and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/barrysandersmemorialblog.

Via @stephentulloch

Not counting Calvin Johnson, the Lions most important move this off season (in my humble opinion, of course) was re-signing linebacker Stephen Tulloch.

But with so much emphasis placed on Cliff Avril and so little room to spare in the salary cap, it didn’t look like it was likely to ever happen.

Well it did. And I’m not the only one who’s stoked about it. Tulloch is, too.

“This is the first time in my career where I actually love coming to work everyday,” Tulloch said during his press conference Thursday. “Being around these guys in the locker room, I can’t wait until the next day. I’m just excited to keep building on what we have. To see our offense the way it is and see our defense coming around. This team and this community has a lot to be excited about with the Detroit Lions.”

And he has good reason to be excited too, considering his new five-year deal is reportedly worth $25.5 million.

Tulloch signed a five-year contract worth $25.5 million, with $11.25 million guaranteed, according to sources. That gives Tulloch an average salary of $5 million a year.

That’s about $1 million less than Tulloch originally stated he wanted. But even he’s not complaining. Those numbers are nothing to scoff at. And, like he says, it’s about playing the game of football — not money. » Continue reading “Stephen Tulloch’s Deal Reportedly Worth $25.5 Million”

The Detroit Lions re-signed a very valuable, but often under-appreciated position today — long snapper. Unrestricted free agent Don Muhlbach received a one-year deal to return to the Lions next season. Why it’s not longer than one year is beyond me.

Muhlbach said after the Lions’ playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints in January that he hoped tor return for a ninth season in Detroit. “This is a great place, and I’d love to be here,” he said then. “But just let the guys that figure it out figure it out.”

Muhlback has been with the Lions for eight seasons, and the fact that you’ve heard so little about him speaks to how well he actually does his job. So, kudos to him. Which is why I wish they would have locked him up for a couple more years. Nevertheless, I’m glad to have him back.

You can find me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MelissaHeyboer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/barrysandersmemorialblog.

In addition to the re-signing of linebacker Stephen Tulloch, the Detroit Lions also re-signed defensive tackle Andre Fluellen and linebacker Ashlee Palmer, and agreed to terms with CB Jacob Lacey.

All three are reportedly one-year deals.

Fluellen was drafted by Detroit in 2008 and has been with them ever since. Despite visiting a few teams during the free agency period, Fluellen will be back with the Lions next season and will no doubt provide some much needed depth on the defense.

The same goes for Palmer who, despite being a restricted free agent, was not tendered an offer from the Lions. Palmer didn’t, however, receive any interest from other teams so they were able to bring him back.

Like Fluellen, he will be a good addition to the Lions depth chart, as he was a fairly decent contributor throughout the 2010 and 2011 seasons. » Continue reading “Lions Re-Sign Ashlee Palmer, Andre Fluellen, Sign Jacob Lacey”

Assuming the Detroit Lions draft a cornerback (and perhaps an entirely new offensive line) with their first pick in the 2012 draft, I will officially have had all my prayers answered this off season. That is because Stephen Tulloch was reportedly re-signed to a five-year deal this afternoon.

*Does happy dance*

Tulloch had this reaction via Twitter:

The signing comes just one day after general manager Martin Mayhew said the talks with Tulloch were progressing well. Nevertheless, it was slow goings between the two sides for awhile, and I personally was preparing for Tulloch to no longer be a Detroit Lion. Thankfully, some restructuring of contracts helped free up some much needed salary cap space and the Tulloch deal was able to get done. » Continue reading “Lions Re-Sign Stephen Tulloch to Five-Year Deal”

According to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com, the Lions have re-signed punter Ben Graham to a one-year deal. No other terms have been released.

Graham signed with the Lions in November of last year after starting punter Ryan Donahue went down with an injury. He averaged 44.1 yards per punt in the final seven games of the season.

Entering his 9th NFL season, Graham has also spent time with the New York Jets (2005-08), New Orleans Saints (2008) and Arizona Cardinals (2008-10, 2011). He has 434 career punts for 19,178 yards (44.2 avg) with 150 punts downed inside-the-20.

Graham will likely compete with Donahue for the starting job this off season.

You can find me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MelissaHeyboer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/barrysandersmemorialblog.

The Lions have been doing exactly what they had hoped to be doing during this free agency period — make sure they re-sign players of importance. That continued today as Detroit re-signed backup quarterback Shaun Hill and veteran offensive tackle Jeff Backus.

Both Backus and Hill reportedly signed two-year deals. Hill spent Friday in St. Louis visiting the Rams at the same time Drew Stanton was in New York visiting the Jets.

When Stanton signed his deal with the Jets yesterday, it became even more important for Detroit to act on Hill quickly. Luckily, Hill decided backing up Matthew Stafford was more appealing than Sam Bradford. Can you blame him?

In addition to Hill, the Lions also re-signed Backus to a two-year deal.

Backus’ deal is worth $10 million, according to ESPN. The financial terms on Hill’s deal were not immediately known.

Of all the “top priority free agents” Stephen Tulloch is the only who remains unsigned. Last I heard both sides wanted the deal to happen it’s just a matter of if it will — and when.

You can find me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MelissaHeyboer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/barrysandersmemorialblog.