Thoughts from the Killer:


ALLEN PARK -- While Detroit Lions president Matt Millen begins his quest for a new head coach, he's also started the process of evaluating the team's roster because he has a lot of tough decisions to make over the next couple of months.

The Lions have 17 unrestricted free agents, which represents almost one-third of the active roster. The free agency signing period begins on March 2, but it's a good bet Millen will try to get several of his own players re-signed before that date.

Here's a look at Detroit's unrestricted free agents and which players are likely to stay and who will probably head elsewhere:

Left tackle Jeff Backus: The Lions should make a strong push to get him back because left tackle is a tough position to fill. Backus won't decide on whether he wants to return to Detroit until he sees who gets hired as head coach and what direction the team is taking.

Defensive end Kalimba Edwards: At the right price, the Lions will bring him back, but he still doesn't create enough havoc on a regular basis. If the money gets too high, the Lions need to allocate it to more productive resources.

Defensive end Jared DeVries: A valuable backup who can play anywhere on the line and is still productive. The Lions need to keep him to retain their depth on the defensive line.

Offensive lineman Kyle Kosier: Stepped in and did a good job when called upon. If he returns, it'll be in a backup role.

Linebacker Earl Holmes: He might still have a year or two left in him, but it's time to give the starting middle linebacker job to Teddy Lehman.

Quarterback Jeff Garcia: He won't be back and neither side will be disappointed in the parting of the ways.

Cornerback R.W. McQuarters: He's not fast enough to play cornerback for extended periods, but he's got great value with his versatility, whether playing nickel back, safety or as a return specialist. He's also a positive presence in the locker room.

Cornerback Andre Goodman: Decent backup cornerbacks are difficult to find and the Lions should make every effort to get him back. Money will be an issue because some teams are desperate for cornerback help and will overpay. The Lions have to realize that they're one of those teams.

Guard Brock Gutierrez: Solid backup who will win a job if he decides to return.

Fullback Paul Smith: Will likely be replaced on the roster by Will Matthews, a powerful blocker who must develop his special teams skills.

Running back Shawn Bryson: He's not the franchise player former coach Steve Mariucci thought he was, but he has a lot of value because he can fill so many roles.

Wide receiver Troy Edwards: A steady player who isn't likely to be back; he was signed during the season when the Lions went through depth issues at receiver.

Linebacker Wali Rainer: Good special teams player and a versatile backup. If the Lions don't draft a player to replace him, they'll need him back.

Safety Bracy Walker: A solid special teams player, but he's lost speed and it's time to upgrade with some youth.

Safety Vernon Fox: Very strong on special teams and gives the Lions speed on coverage; he'll draw some interest elsewhere.

Linebacker Nate Wayne: Signed during the season when injuries hit the linebacker positions and played better than expected. Still, it's unlikely he'll be back next season.

Wide receiver Kevin Johnson: A productive player who the Lions should try to get back, but the question is whether Johnson wants to return to Detroit's crowded receiver corps.

Left tackle Jeff Backus: As much as I don't like, we might have to bring him back just because finding an LT is going to be a bitch.

Defensive end Kalimba Edwards: As long as he is cheap, I wouldn't mind him back.

Defensive end Jared DeVries: I personally like him and think he should be brought back for depth and versatility.

Offensive lineman Kyle Kosier: Don't mind seeing him gone unless he wants to come back as a backup.

Linebacker Earl Holmes: The leader of our defense. Needs to be back.

Quarterback Jeff Garcia: No thanks.

Cornerback R.W. McQuarters: I don't mind him as long as he is not starting.

Cornerback Andre Goodman: I don't understand why we let Cash go last season instead of Goodman.

Guard Brock Gutierrez: Who?

Fullback Paul Smith: I was bitching about him ever since we put Will Matthews on the practice squad. One of Mooch's favorites.

Running back Shawn Bryson: As long as he is not getting as many carries as Jones, I wouldn't mind him back either.

Wide receiver Troy Edwards: I don't think we have any room to carry more WR's.

Linebacker Wali Rainer: I like him but he is not a starting caliber LB.

Safety Bracy Walker: We need an upgrade here.

Safety Vernon Fox: Wouldn't mind him back.

Linebacker Nate Wayne: Did a better than expected job but we won't have room unless someone is injured or cut.

Wide receiver Kevin Johnson: I sort would like him back for his veteran presence but we already have too many WR's.

Keep Bryson: He's very versatile, and criminally underrated in this town.
Keep Edwards: I still think he's a good player, just misused.
Keep Backus: I was hurting just typing that, but do we want to pay Woody money to a different LT?
Keep Holmes: One of the best tackling linebackers in the L. I'd love to see him come back at a slightly reduced role. I'd love to see Lehman start at that spot. He reminds me of Urlacher.
Keep Johnson: Why not?
Keep DeVries: Why not?
Keep Are Dubya: He's versatile and a good nickleback!

For the most part these are all depth guys. Very boring. We need playmakers. I say let a number of them go to see if we can get future supplemental draft compensation.

If Garcia, Gutierrez, Smith, Walker and Edwards aren't all gone next season it will be some of the worst moeny spent in Detroit history, and that's saying quite a bit.

Also on Friday, the Lions tendered contracts to four of their restricted free agents -- linebacker James Davis, safety Terrence Holt, tight end Casey FitzSimmons and defensive end Cory Redding.

The Lions can retain rights to all four players by matching any offer they get when the free-agent signing period begins. It is now scheduled to start at 12:01 a.m. Monday.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060303/UPDATE/603030428


Artose Pinner did not qualify as a RFA due to the lack of playing time during his rookie year and was tendered as a EFRA.

That article is hilarious. Killer says something great about everyone on the list...He was "solid", "Steady" "powerful"

LMAO, give me a frickin break. Outside of Backus let em all burn. Bums each one of them.

we actually need a lot of them, but for depth. I fully expect most of them to be situation/backups anyway. If Millen plays his cards right, we should have a new OT, DB, LB and DE starting for us anyway (either in the draft and/or FA).

Many of those are good special teams players that we just need for depth.

Yeah, those guys are mostly jokes until someone goes down with an injury. And since this is the Lions, someone WILL go down with an injury. When that happens I would rather have a "solid" backup than an NFL Europe retread.

I guess I'll post it here.

Len Pasquatrtty reports that the Lions and Byrson agree to a new three year deal. Yay!

3 years! oh boy. Actually, I like Bryson. I just hated Mooch for using him so much. Bryson is a great 3rd string RB. He does all the things you ask him to, he just doesn't have much talent anymore. As long as Martz doesn't use him as the feature back like Mooch wanted to, I'm fine with this.

Bryson declines free agency, stays with Lions

Recruited hard in recent days by first-year head coach Rod Marinelli and offensive coordinator Mike Martz, veteran tailback Shawn Bryson opted Thursday to eschew the unrestricted free agent market and remain with the Detroit Lions, ESPN.com has learned.

One of the NFL's most effective third-down tailbacks, and likely to get more overall "touches" in the Martz-designed offense, Bryson reached agreement on a new three-year contract worth $4.5 million. The deal includes a $1.5 million signing bonus.

Bryson, 29, would likely have generated solid interest in free agency had he decided to test the market. But the new Lions staff convinced him he will play a key role in 2006 as Martz attempts to correct the problems of a unit that statistically ranked No. 20 in 2005.

The former University of Tennessee standout enjoyed one of his best NFL seasons in 2006, as he totaled 590 yards from scrimmage as the backup to starter Kevin Jones and the Lions' third-down back. Appearing in all 16 games for the third straight season, following a long stretch of injuries earlier in his career, Bryson carried 64 times for 306 yards and one touchdown and had 37 catches for 284 yards.

His role almost certainly will not change in 2006 but his playing time could actually be expanded.

A third-round choice of the Buffalo Bills in 1998, Bryson missed his entire rookie campaign with a knee injury. That began a star-crossed stretch in which Bryson, who has fullback size (6-feet-1, 230 pounds) but tailback running skills, appeared in just 37 games in a four-year stretch.

Since signing with Detroit as a free agent in 2003, though, Bryson has not missed a game and has been a productive and dependable No. 2 tailback. His best season came in '03, when he started 13 contests and rushed for 606 yards, while adding 54 catches for 340 yards.

For his career, Bryson has 526 carries for 2,143 yards and six touchdowns and 177 catches for 1,285 yards and two touchdowns. He has appeared in 85 games and started 26 of them.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2361448

3 years! oh boy. Actually, I like Bryson. I just hated Mooch for using him so much. Bryson is a great 3rd string RB. He does all the things you ask him to, he just doesn't have much talent anymore. As long as Martz doesn't use him as the feature back like Mooch wanted to, I'm fine with this.

He is going to play quite a bit in Martz's system because Martz likes to use his RBs in pass-catching situations. And Bryson is our best pass protector and receiver out of the backfield.

A couple updates:

- Kyle Kosier signed with Dallas.

- Kalimba Edwards is in Cleveland for a visit.

- The Lions also resigned OT Victor Rogers.

- Bears are interested in signing Drummond now that Randle El is off the market.

- Andre Goodman is close to signing with the Dolphins to replace Sam Madison.

- The Lions have met with Kitna and McCown this weekend. They will meet with TE Dan Campbell on Monday.

- The Lions also contracted the agent of OL Kevin Barry (Packers).

On the one hand, I'm pretty frustrated with the waves other teams are making early on.

On the other hand, this might not be such a bad thing. I haven't seen a lot of bargain contracts. While there's more money to go around than there was a week ago, I expect there will be some decent players available at slightly discounted rates a few weeks from now. If the Lions are left sitting with a lot of cash, they might be able to take advantage.

Even if they end up with a horrible FA class this season, they could set themselves up to be the biggest spenders next year. If they can just get some replacements in place for some high priced guys that can be cut next season, they can be the huge splash at some point.

Almost better to focus on youth and the draft anyhow. (Oh wait, that's what they said a few years ago when they got rid of everyone over 30)

Ah hell, they'll just suck so more either way.

If the Lions don't make a decent signing in 48 hours, I'm gonna have to swat this weak ass shit.

Eddie Drummond resigned.

Lions resing Kalimba Edwards to moocho bucks.....five years and $20 million, with $8 million in guarantees

some of my faith is restored...the Lions went and got Kalimba back..if they let the Brown take him (and it looked like a done deal) I would have been pissed. We need some serious rushers.

Drummond's injury issues concern me but the Lions were actually pretty smart with this one.


The total package is worth $6 million. He gets a $2 million signing bonus and an annual per-game roster bonus package worth $337,504 per season. To get the bonus in a given week, Drummond must be on the active roster.

Lions Re-Sign DE DeVries and LB Woods

he Detroit Lions announced today that they have re-signed DE Jared DeVries to a five-year deal, LB LeVar Woods to a one-year deal.

DeVries (6-4, 280) enters his eighth season with the Lions and was originally drafted by Detroit in the third round (70th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. His 2005 season was highlighted by his first career multiple sack game at Cleveland (10/23) and his second-career blocked field goal attempt at Green Bay (12/11). DeVries continues to be a vital part of the team’s rotation on the defensive line.

In 2004, DeVries set a career-high with 3.0 sacks, including a sack for a 6-yard loss while forcing a Michael Vick fumble in the final minute to preserve a victory at Atlanta (10/10). He was also a key member of Detroit’s ‘wedge’ on kick returns, which helped clear the way for All-Pro kick returner Eddie Drummond, who finished the season ranked second in the NFL in kickoff returns.

DeVries opened the 2003 season with his second career sack when he pulled down Cardianls’ QB Jeff Blake, also forcing a fumble on the play, in opener vs. Arizona. He had his first career sack that season against Chicago (11/9/03) when he blocked what would have been a go-ahead field goal by Paul Edinger. Prior to the season, DeVries signed a three-year deal March 6, 2003.

The 2002 season was cut short for DeVries due to a foot injury. He registered 17 tackles (five solo) and a sack before being placed on the reserve/injured list on December 10. In 2001, DeVries was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list on August 28 due to a blood clot suffered in an off-season workout. He was removed from the PUP list on October 27 and finished the season playing in 11 games and recording 20 tackles (six solo).

DeVries’ had one of his strongest seasons with the Lions in 2000 when he played in 15 games and finished with 35 tackles (18 solo), a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He played in only two games as a rookie due to a foot injury.

As a standout at the University of Iowa, DeVries set the school's career sack record with 43 career sacks and had 79 tackles for a loss. DeVries was a first-team All-Big Ten selection as a sophomore, junior and senior (1996-98).

Woods (6-3, 245) will enter his second season with Detroit after joining the Lions half-way through last season. He started the final three games of the 2005 season at middle linebacker due to injuries. In his first start for Detroit against Cincinnati (12/18), Woods had a career-high 10 tackles (six solo) and a sack.

Before joining the Lions, Woods spent his first four NFL seasons as a reserve linebacker for Arizona. He caught on with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2001 and played in 15 games as a rookie, finishing his first season with 11 tackles (six solo). Woods set a career-high with 44 tackles in 2002 and led the team with 17 special teams tackles in 2003. In 2004 he had 20 tackles (12 solo) and 12 special teams tackles.

Woods was a two-year starter (1999-2000) for Iowa and had 165 career tackles, including 18 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. As a senior with the Hawkeyes, he was selected All-Big Ten Conference (second team) in addition to being a team captain and recipient of the Hayden Fry Extra Heartbeat Award.
http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=444002

Lions Sign Unrestricted Free Agents S Vernon Fox, C Brock Gutierrez, and LB Nate Wayne and Free Agent G Tyrone Hopson

April 11, 2006

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions announced today that they have re-signed unrestricted free agents S Vernon Fox, C Brock Gutierrez and LB Nate Wayne and free agent G Tyrone Hopson to one-year deals. Additional contract terms were not disclosed.

Fox (5-10, 200) enters his third season with Detroit as a proven and valuable special teams player as well as a reliable backup safety. He was voted as a special teams captain (tied with Donté Curry and Wali Rainer) by his teammates at the end of the 2005 season for his tough and consistent play in addition to his leadership on and off the field. Fox finished last season third in special teams tackles despite missing two games due to injury.

In 2004, Fox played 14 games for the Lions and contributed nine special teams tackles after being claimed off waivers September 14, released September 18 and then re-signed to the active roster September 22.

San Diego signed Fox as an undrafted free agent April 26, 2002. In two seasons with the Chargers, he played in 28 games (five starts) and garnered 45 tackles (35 solo), one interception and five pass defenses. Fox was a two time All-Western Athletic Conference first-team selection at Fresno State.

Gutierrez (6-3, 304) returns for another season with the Lions after seeing action in all 16 games for Detroit last season. He originally signed with Detroit June 8, 2005 after spending the previous two seasons with the 49ers. He was the starting center for San Francisco and played in all 16 games in 2004.

During his nine NFL seasons, Gutierrez has played in 114 games (23 starts) and has been a steady contributor on special teams while providing solid depth along the offensive line. He entered the league with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 1996, where he played through the 2002 season.

As a collegian at Central Michigan, Gutierrez started at center for three seasons and earned first-team All-Mid-American Conference honors as a senior in 1995. He attended Charlotte (Mich.) H.S. and earned all-state honors in wrestling and football.

Wayne (6-0, 237) enters his ninth NFL season, his second in Detroit, after first joining the Lions midway through the 2005 season. He played in five games last season, finishing with 21 tackles (11 solo), a sack, a forced fumble and an interception which he returned 20 yards. Wayne was inactive for the final two games of the season due to an ankle injury. He joined the Lions following his release from the Jacksonville Jaguars September 3.

After being waived by the Philadelphia Eagles where he spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons, Wayne signed with the Jaguars May 16. In seven NFL seasons, he has played in 85 games (started in 63), tallied 545 total tackles (352 solos) and collected 16 sacks.

In 2004, Wayne played in nine games with the Eagles and started seven. In those nine games, he totaled 38 tackles (25 solo), forced two fumbles and had one sack. In 2003, he posted a career-high in total tackles (135).

Wayne also brings a significant amount of post-season experience to the club, having played in eight playoff games (started in six) during his career. During the 2004 NFL Playoffs, he tallied four tackles, a half sack, and started against the Minnesota Vikings in the 2005 NFC Divisional game and saw action in Super Bowl XXXIX.

Prior to his stint with the Eagles, Wayne played in Denver (1998-99) and Green Bay (2000-02) where he totaled a career-high in sacks (5.5) with the Packers during the 2001 season.

The Chicago, Ill., native served as a two-year starter at the University of Mississippi where he recorded 293 tackles, 8.5 sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles.

Hopson (6-2, 300) rejoins the team after spending the 2004 season and parts of the 2005 season with Detroit. He was on the Lions active roster for four games last season after spending the preseason participating in the team's training camp.

In 2004, he played in 11 games for Detroit and helped clear the way for Pro Bowl KR Eddie Drummond as a member of the wedge unit on kickoff returns. Hopson also saw action at right guard in the season finale at Tennessee (1/2/05).

Hopson originally joined the Lions practice squad October 31, 2001 and finished the final three games of that season on the active roster. He played eight games in 2002 and spent the 2003 preseason with Detroit before being release August 31.

Prior to joining the Lions, Hopson spent two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers who drafted him in the fifth round (161 overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft out of Eastern Kentucky. He saw action in four games, with one start, during his two-year stint in San Francisco.

http://www.detroitlions.com/press_releases.cfm?section_id=10&top=1&level=2

Since they were all one-year deals, I assume that they were for the veteran's minimum and thus will have very little effect on the salary cap.

Lions Re-Sign Restricted Free Agent FS Terrence Holt to a One-Year Deal

The Detroit Lions announced today that they have re-signed restricted free agent FS Terrence Holt to a one-year deal. No additional contract terms were disclosed.

Holt (6-2, 208) enters his fourth season with the Lions who drafted him in the fifth round (137th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. He entered last season as Detroit’s starting free safety and started 10 games before being put on the reserve/injured list December 7, 2005 due to an elbow injury. Holt finished the 2005 campaign with a career-high 44 tackles (34 solo), two interceptions (51 yds) a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

In 2004, Holt played all 16 games as a reserve defensive back while making a solid contribution on special teams. He finished third with 17 special teams tackles.

As a rookie in 2003, Holt had three interceptions which was tied for the second-most among NFL rookies and the most by a Lions’ rookie since Devon Mitchell had five in 1986. He was inactive for the first five games of the season before making his pro debut vs. Dallas (10/19). Holt started the final two games, at Carolina (12/21) and vs. St. Louis (12/28), at strong safety due to injuries. In his first career start against the Panthers, he had an interception and a career-high 10 tackles (seven solo).

Holt racked up 315 tackles (195 solos), 11 stops for loss, 20 passes defensed and 13 blocked kicks in 48 games at North Carolina State while starting every game from 2000-02. The North Carolina native earned second-team All-American accolades as a senior in 2002 by the NFL Draft Report, College Football News and the Associated Press in addition to being a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference choice, a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award (nation’s top defensive back) and a finalist for the Mosi Tatupu Award (nation’s top special teams performer).

As a junior in 2001, Holt blocked four field goals, tying the NCAA season-record set by Hawaii’s Mike Akiu in 1982. He was named first-team All-ACC after a career-high 104 tackles (62 solos).

Holt was a three-year all-conference performer at East Guilford High in North Carolina. He is the younger brother of former All-American and current St. Louis Rams wide receiver Torry Holt.
http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=444422

Lions Re-Sign DE Redding and TE FitzSimmons

The Detroit Lions announced today that they have re-signed restricted free agents TE Casey FitzSimmons and DE Cory Redding to one-year deals. No additional contract terms were disclosed.

FitzSimmons (6-4, 258) enters his fourth season in Detroit where he began his NFL career as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2003. Last season, FitzSimmons played in 14 games with two starts and had 10 receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown. He also was a primary contributor on special teams, finishing fourth on the team with a career-high 19 tackles.

As a rookie in 2003, FitzSimmons had his most productive season, playing in all 16 games. He started 11 games due to injuries and set career highs with 23 receptions and two touchdowns. FitzSimmons also had 17 special teams tackles. He also played in all 16 games in 2004 with three starts.

FitzSimmons played collegiately at Carroll College in Montana and registered 244 receptions for 2,698 yards and 21 touchdowns. As a senior, he helped the Fighting Saints to the 2002 NAIA National Championship and finished with a career-best 79 receptions for 971 yards and six touchdowns. FitzSimmons also garnered first-team All-American honors and was named the Frontier Conference MVP as well as a finalist for NAIA Player of the Year Award.

In high school, FitzSimmons played eight-man football at Chester (Mont.) High School. He played four positions: wide receiver, tight end, defensive end and linebacker.

Redding (6-4, 295) will be playing his fourth season with the Lions who drafted him in the third-round (66th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. In 2005, Redding played and started in all 16 games at left defensive end and set a career-high with 42 tackles (29 solo).

In 2004, Redding emerged as the starter at left defensive end prior to the season and started all 16 games. He finished his first full season as a starter with 41 tackles (37 solo) and a career-high 3.0 sacks. Redding also forced a safety at Minnesota (11/21) when he tackled Vikings RB Onterrio Smith in the end zone.

Redding missed the first two games of his rookie campaign in 2003 due to a leg injury suffered during the preseason. He went in and out of the lineup following his return, seeing time at both defensive end and tackle along with special teams. Redding’s playing time increased towards the end of the season with his most significant contribution coming in the Lions game at Kansas City (12/14) where he had a season-high four tackles (three solo).

During his four-year career at Texas, Redding was a two-time All-Big 12 Conference selection and played in every game, including a string of 35 consecutive starts on the defensive line. He finished his collegiate career with 201 tackles (123 solos), 21 sacks (174 yards) and 53 stops (third on the school’s career-record list) for losses of 249 yards.

As a senior in 1998 at North Shore High in Houston, he was named USA Today’s Defensive Player of the Year and was a consensus All-American choice. That season he accumulated 215 tackles (103 solos), 15 sacks and 22 stops for losses. Redding was Parade’s top linebacker in the nation as well as an Associated Press first-team All-State selection and the Texas Sports Writers Association Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year. He also won state titles in the discus as a junior and senior.
http://www.detroitlions.com/press_releases.cfm?section_id=10&top=1&level=2

Lions Re-Sign Exclusive Rights FA RB Pinner; Release Wayne

The Detroit Lions announced today that they have re-signed exclusive rights free agent RB Artose Pinner.Additional contract terms were not disclosed. The team also released LB Nate Wayne.

Pinner (5-10, 232) enters his fourth season with the Lions who originally drafted him in the fourth round (99th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. Last season he carried the ball a career-high 106 times and finished with career bests in rushing yards (349), receptions (21), receiving yards (181) and touchdowns (3) while playing in all 16 games with two starts.

After missing most of his rookie season while recovering from a leg injury suffered in the 2003 Senior Bowl, Pinner played in the final three games of the 2003 season and started two. He began to emerge as a regular contributor during the 2004 season when he played in nine games and started two in place of an injured Kevin Jones. Pinner finished his second season with 174 yards and his first two career touchdowns.

At the University of Kentucky, Pinner started 14 of 34 games and ran for over 100 yards 11 times. He rushed for 2,105 yards and 17 touchdowns on 438 attempts (4.8 avg) and totaled 407 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 58 receptions during his career with the Wildcats.

Pinner attended Hopkinsville (Ky.) High School, where he rushed for 5,829 yards on 704 carries (8.3 avg) and 68 touchdowns as the starting running back his junior and senior seasons. He was named the Class AAA State Player of the Year as a senior after rushing 361 times for 3,274 yards and 33 touchdowns, which also earned him honorable mention All-American by USA Today.

Wayne (6-0, 237) resigned with Detroit April 11 after first joining the Lions midway through the 2005 season. He played in five games last season, finishing with 21 tackles (11 solo), a sack, a forced fumble and an interception which he returned 20 yards. Wayne was inactive for the final two games of the season due to an ankle injury. He joined the Lions following his release from the Jacksonville Jaguars September 3.

After being waived by the Philadelphia Eagles where he spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons, Wayne signed with the Jaguars May 16. In seven NFL seasons, he has played in 85 games (started in 63), tallied 545 total tackles (352 solos) and collected 16 sacks.

In 2004, Wayne played in nine games with the Eagles and started seven. In those nine games, he totaled 38 tackles (25 solo), forced two fumbles and had one sack. In 2003, he posted a career-high in total tackles (135).

Wayne also brings a significant amount of post-season experience to the club, having played in eight playoff games (started in six) during his career. During the 2004 NFL Playoffs, he tallied four tackles, a half sack, and started against the Minnesota Vikings in the 2005 NFC Divisional game and saw action in Super Bowl XXXIX.

Prior to his stint with the Eagles, Wayne played in Denver (1998-99) and Green Bay (2000-02) where he totaled a career-high in sacks (5.5) with the Packers during the 2001 season.

The Chicago, Ill., native served as a two-year starter at the University of Mississippi where he recorded 293 tackles, 8.5 sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles.
http://www.detroitlions.com/press_releases.cfm?section_id=10&top=1&level=2

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2445692


Lions re-sign Backus, agree not to tag him in '07

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

Five-year veteran tackle Jeff Backus, arguably the Detroit Lions' best offensive lineman and the lone franchise player without a consummated deal, on Monday signed the one-year qualifying offer to remain with the team for 2006, ESPN.com has learned.

The one-year deal carries a base salary of $6.983 million but, almost as important, the Lions stipulated as part of the contract that they cannot use the franchise marker on Backus again next spring. The stipulation, which is in writing, means that without a long-term extension, Backus will be eligible for unrestricted free agency after this season.

It's believed that Backus, if he gets onto the open market, will be among the most coveted veterans in the 2007 unrestricted free agent pool. Lions officials clearly felt that the tradeoff, along with the potential to still strike a long-term contract before Backus becomes a free agent, was worth it to get the former first-round draft choice involved in the team's offseason program under first-year coach Rod Marinelli.

Because he did not have a contract, Backus was technically precluded from participating in team activities, and the former University of Michigan star has been working out in Ann Arbor in recent weeks. The two sides met last Monday but made no progress toward a long-term deal and clearly there is disagreement over where Backus ranks among premier left tackles.

Rather than allow the situation to linger, the Lions decided to propose that they would not use the franchise tag on Backus again, and that was more than enough motivation to have him sign the one-year offer.

"Both sides have agreed to work diligently toward a long-term deal and that's the intention," agent Pat Dye Jr. said on Monday morning. "They made it clear they want to keep Jeff and Jeff likes playing there. So we'll keep at it and see what happens."

The team's first-round choice in the 2001 draft, Backus has never missed a game, and has started in all 80 contests in which he appeared. ESPN.com reported last Friday in the Tip Sheet column that Backus played the final 11 games of the 2005 season with an ankle sprain so severe that it required offseason surgery to clean out some bone fragments.

Backus, 28, will join the Lions for workouts this week and his presence will allow veteran offensive line coach Larry Beightol, a key member of Marinelli's staff, to begin reshaping the unit.

There were only three veterans designated as franchise players this spring. Defensive end John Abraham was traded from the New York Jets to Atlanta and signed a six-year, $45 million contract with the Falcons to facilitate the swap. Cornerback Nate Clements signed the one-year qualifying offer with the Buffalo Bills last week, prompted by the club's promise it won't use the franchise tag on him again next spring.

$7M for an average LT?

Lions | No tags in 2007 for Backus
Thu, 18 May 2006 06:21:25 -0700

Mike O'Hara, of the Detroit News, reports the Detroit Lions have assured OT Jeff Backus they will not use the transition tag on him in 2007, in addition to the franchise tag said Tom Lewand, the Lions' chief operating officer. The franchise and transition tags limit a free agent's ability to get offers from other teams.

While I am not a big fan of Backus, not being able to use the franchise or transition tags will severely hamper the Lions next season when it comes to contract negotiations.

Backus locked up...




Backus signs 6-year deal
Detroit Lions left tackle Jeff Backus signed a six-year contract Thursday which will pay him an estimated $15 million in guaranteed money. Backus, who was tagged as the team's franchise player, could've opted for a one-year, $6.9 million deal.

Here's more on the signing, from ESPN

Battling against a Friday 4 p.m. ET deadline, the Detroit Lions have signed standout offensive tackle Jeff Backus to a new six-year contract, ESPN.com has learned.

The contract, negotiated by agent Pat Dye Jr., is worth nearly $40 million and includes about $16 million in bonuses. The deal makes Backus -- who had been designated a franchise player at the outset of the free agency period -- the sixth-highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL. He also becomes the highest-paid lineman who has never appeared in a Pro Bowl game.

In mid-May, Backus signed the one-year qualifying offer for a franchise offensive lineman, which carried a base salary of $6.983 million for 2006. But almost as important, the Lions stipulated as part of that contract that they could not use the franchise marker on Backus again next spring. The stipulation, which was in writing, meant that without a long-term extension, Backus would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency after this season.

The contract signed on Thursday replaces the one-year deal and was negotiated against the backdrop of the deadline. According to the interpretation of the NFL Management Council, any contract completed with Backus after the close of business on Friday afternoon would have attached the franchise designation to him for the entire length of the deal. The Lions now gain back the franchise marker and, if necessary, can use it on another player in the future.

"Certainly, Jeff could have gone into free agency after this season, and tested the market, and perhaps gotten an even better deal," Dye said Thursday evening. "But at the end of the day, we're talking about a guy who played at Michigan, who really wanted to stay with the Lions and be a part of rebuilding that team, and who knows now where he's going to be playing for the next six seasons. And credit Lions officials, too, for showing extraordinary commitment to get this done."

Dye said part of his client's motivation, as well, was the strong impression that first-year head coach Rod Marinelli, offensive coordinator Mike Martz and offensive line coach Larry Beightol have already made on him in a short time.

Backus celebrated the new contract by closing on a new home Thursday afternoon.

It is believed that had Backus gone into the open market next spring, he would have been among the most coveted veterans in the 2007 unrestricted free-agent pool. Lions officials clearly felt that the tradeoff, along with the potential to still strike a long-term contract before Backus became a free agent, was worth it to get the former first-round draft choice involved in the team's offseason program under Marinelli.

The two sides agreed at the time to continue working toward a long-term extension, and the talks accelerated this week.

The team's first-round choice in the 2001 draft, Backus has never missed a game, and the former University of Michigan standout has started in all 80 contests in which he's appeared. Backus played the final 11 games of the 2005 season with an ankle sprain so severe that it required offseason surgery to clean out some bone fragments.

Backus, 28, is regarded as one of the NFL's top pass protectors and is a key to a unit that is being revamped under Beightol.

There were only three veterans designated as franchise players this spring. Defensive end John Abraham was traded from the New York Jets to Atlanta and signed a six-year, $45 million contract with the Falcons to facilitate the swap. Cornerback Nate Clements signed the one-year qualifying offer with the Buffalo Bills, prompted by the club's promise that it won't use the franchise tag on him again next spring.