SB Nation Detroit - Lions Offseason Moves: Drew Stanton Tendered; Nathan Vasher Re-Signedhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48919/detroit-fave.png2011-03-04T20:44:19-05:00http://detroit.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16814362011-03-04T20:44:19-05:002011-03-04T20:44:19-05:00Detroit Lions Tender Drew Stanton, Re-Sign Nathan Vasher
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/ttwentyman/status/43743085242486784">tendered a contract offer</a> to quarterback <span>Drew Stanton</span>. The tender is at the original-round level, which is a second-round pick for Stanton. He was drafted in the second round back in 2007 and is set to become a restricted free agent under the rules of the current collective bargaining agreement. It's possible he will be an unrestricted free agent in the new CBA, but that remains to be seen.</p>
<p>In other Lions roster news, Detroit <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20110304/SPORTS01/110304029/1049/rss14">re-signed cornerback Nathan Vasher</a>. He joined the Lions after the first week of the 2010 season as extra depth in the secondary. As the season progressed and injuries began piling up, Vasher got more playing time. Toward the end of the season, he was in the regular rotation at cornerback and played well, prompting the Lions to give him a one-year deal.</p>
<p>Cornerback <span>Tye Hill</span>, who joined the Lions in December, will likely not be back next season. He was <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/davebirkett/status/43756118220095488">not tendered an offer</a>, meaning he is free to sign anywhere he wants.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-lions/2011/3/4/2030836/detroit-lions-tender-drew-stanton-re-sign-nathan-vasherSean Yuille2011-03-04T02:39:10-05:002011-03-04T02:39:10-05:00Detroit Lions Tender DE Turk McBride
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<p>Defensive end <span>Turk McBride</span> has been <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/davebirkett/status/43472894088593408">tendered a contract offer</a> by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> at the second-round level. That is the third-highest possible level for a restricted free agent tender. (The highest is a first- and third-round pick and next in line is a first-round pick.)</p>
<p>McBride joined the Lions in 2009 after being let go by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a>. Former Chiefs and current Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham brought McBride to Detroit and the move has paid off. McBride had five sacks in 15 games this past season despite being in the starting lineup only eight times. He worked his way into the rotation at defensive end and played a role in the Lions having such a dominant D-line, especially toward the end of the season.</p>
<p>With McBride being tendered at a second-round level, the Lions have made it pretty clear they want him back. That's no surprise considering how well he has played and the fact that Cunningham is a big fan of him.</p>
<p>While depth is solid right now at defensive end, McBride is a guy that can take over as a starter for <span>Kyle Vanden Bosch</span> when he decides to retire in the future. Between McBride, <span>Cliff Avril</span> and <span>Lawrence Jackson</span>, the Lions have some solid young talent at defensive end, and they certainly want to keep it in tact going into next season.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-lions/2011/3/4/2029236/detroit-lions-tender-de-turk-mcbrideSean Yuille2011-03-03T18:48:13-05:002011-03-03T18:48:13-05:00Lions Release Julian Peterson; Zack Follett Confirms He's Back
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> parted ways with linebacker <span>Julian Peterson</span> today, <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/TomKowalski36/status/43435214248230913">releasing him</a> after two years with the team. General manager Martin Mayhew said earlier in the offseason that Peterson would be released, but the Lions put it off until now so he could get <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/davebirkett/status/43437617370513408">"as healthy as possible"</a> before becoming a free agent.</p>
<p>In other Lions linebacker news, <span>Zack Follett</span> has <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/ZakarianFollett/status/43434758893613056">confirmed he re-signed</a> with the Lions. He was offered a tendered contract <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/ttwentyman/status/43441011141255168">after doctors cleared him to play</a>, although there are still <a href="http://detnews.com/article/20110303/SPORTS0101/103030479/1361/Lions-bring-back-LB-Zack-Follett-for-2011--neck-injury-still-a-concern">more obstacles to clear</a> before he can get back on the field.</p>
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<p>"I haven't hit anybody yet, so we'll see," he said. "The biggest next step for me will be camp when we put the helmets on and get on the field. " Before I actually go back into camp to make it a full go we'll do another series of tests to make sure there is more space between the disc and my spinal cord and make sure I won't be doing any permanent damage. It is a little scary because the one thing the doctors did tell me is that by playing more, my situation can only get worse and that's the risk factor that's involved here."</p>
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<p>There's no certainty that he will be able to play just yet, but at the very least it's good that he has been re-signed. Follett himself said that he didn't think the Lions would offer him a contract if they didn't think his neck was going to hold up, so they must have faith he will stay healthy.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-lions/2011/3/3/2028362/lions-release-julian-peterson-zack-follett-confirms-hes-backSean Yuille2011-03-03T17:12:54-05:002011-03-03T17:12:54-05:00Detroit Lions Don't Tender Offer To Kevin Smith; Zack Follett Re-Signs?
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<p>After spending three years with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>, it appears running back <span>Kevin Smith</span> will be on a new team in 2011. Smith was <a href="http://detnews.com/article/20110303/SPORTS0101/103030467/Source--Lions-parting-ways-with-oft-injured-RB-Kevin-Smith">not tendered a contract offer</a> by the Lions, meaning he is now essentially an unrestricted free agent. Since he has only been in the league three years, he would have been restricted if the Lions tendered him. Because they didn't, he is free to sign with another team whenever the free agency period begins (after a new CBA is agreed to).</p>
<p>Smith <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/davebirkett">spoke to Dave Birkett</a> after this news came out, and the running back thinks this was simply a business decision.</p>
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<p>"I’ve been hurt the last two years so to me it was more of a business decision. In this business you can never be surprised. It’s strictly business and they did what they had to and I’ll do what I have to do. I know one thing for sure, I’ll be in the NFL next year. With the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lions</a>, I can’t say, but that was their decision."</p>
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<p>After putting up good numbers in his first two seasons, Smith rushed for only 133 yards in 2010. That was mainly because he only appeared in six games and was still recovering from a torn ACL. He was placed on IR midway through the season, and the Lions got by with <span>Jahvid Best</span> and <span>Maurice Morris</span>. That evidently is the plan going forward with Smith not being tendered.</p>
<p>In other news, it appears linebacker <span>Zack Follett</span> will not be retiring. There were concerns about his health and whether or not he could continue playing after suffering a neck injury last season, but he said this on his Facebook page today:</p>
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<p>God presented me with a 2011 contract that I just signed! If he didn't want me to play that wouldn't have happened.. So now it's just matter of time to be healed! Team Jesus let's go!</p>
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<p>That's definitely good to hear.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-lions/2011/3/3/2028194/detroit-lions-dont-tender-offer-to-kevin-smith-zack-follett-re-signsSean Yuille2011-03-03T15:37:12-05:002011-03-03T15:37:12-05:00Lions' Brian Clark Retires; More Tenders Given Out
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> wide receiver <span>Brian Clark</span> has retired, <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/ttwentyman/status/43389476751413248">according to Tim Twentyman</a> of The Detroit News. Clark was with the Lions last training camp and was let go during the final round of cuts. He rejoined the team in December after spending a month in the UFL. Now, at the age of 27, he has called it a career in order to pursue a life in coaching.</p>
<p>In other Lions roster news, fullback <span>Jerome Felton</span>, kicker <span>Dave Rayner</span> and defensive tackle <span>Andre Fluellen</span> <a href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2011/3/3/2027761/detroit-lions-tender-contract-offer-jerome-felton">have received tendered contract offers</a>.</p>
<p>Felton's tender is at the original-round level, which is a fifth-round pick. There's no word on what level the tenders are for Rayner and Fluellen, but they are probably right of first refusal or original round. If they are original round, the Lions would get a sixth-round pick for losing Rayner and a third-round pick for losing Fluellen. Like all restricted free agents, compensation is only handed out if a player signs an offer sheet with another team and his original team doesn't match it.</p>
<p><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/davebirkett/status/43407394935537664">Dave Birkett reports</a> that cornerback <span>Brandon McDonald</span> did not receive a tendered offer, making him free to sign anywhere when a new CBA is in place.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-lions/2011/3/3/2027954/lions-brian-clark-retires-more-tenders-given-outSean Yuille2011-03-03T14:02:37-05:002011-03-03T14:02:37-05:00Detroit Lions Tender Chris Houston, Jerome Felton, Others
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>' tendered contract offers were sent out days ago. Since there hasn't been an official announcement, the news about which players received one is coming out in bits and pieces.</p>
<p>Earlier this week, we found out that defensive end <span>Cliff Avril</span> <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-lions/2011/3/1/2023345/cliff-avril-tendered-by-detroit-lions-nfl-free-agency">received a tender</a> at the first- and third-round level. That means that if Avril were to sign an offer sheet with another team, the Lions would receive a first- and third-round draft pick as compensation if they declined to match it.</p>
<p>Since the Avril news, six more names of tendered players have come out:</p>
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<li> Cornerback <span>Chris Houston</span> was <a href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2011/3/3/2026527/detroit-lions-tender-chris-houston-paul-pratt-john-wendling">tendered at an unknown level</a>.</li>
<li>Safety John Wendling <a href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2011/3/3/2026527/detroit-lions-tender-chris-houston-paul-pratt-john-wendling">received an original-round tender</a>. Because he was a sixth-round pick upon entering the league, that is the compensation the Lions would receive if he ended up elsewhere and his offer sheet wasn't matched by Detroit.</li>
<li>Offensive guard/center <span>Dylan Gandy</span> and fullback <span>Jerome Felton</span> <a href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2011/3/3/2027368/detroit-lions-tender-offers-dylan-gandy-prince-miller">received an original-round tender</a> as well. Gandy was a fourth-round pick and Felton was <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/ttwentyman/status/43375965614776320">selected in the fifth round</a>.</li>
<li>Cornerbacks Prince Miller and <span>Paul Pratt</span> both were <a href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2011/3/3/2027368/detroit-lions-tender-offers-dylan-gandy-prince-miller">tendered as exclusive rights free agents</a>. They are not free to negotiate with other teams, so they have to either sign the tender or not play next season. Of course, a lockout could prevent all players from playing, and whenever a new CBA is in place, some of these players could become unrestricted free agents.</li>
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https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-lions/2011/3/3/2027713/detroit-lions-tender-chris-houston-jerome-felton-othersSean Yuille2011-03-01T15:55:30-05:002011-03-01T15:55:30-05:00Cliff Avril Tendered By Detroit Lions At Highest Level
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<p>If the collective bargaining agreement wasn't set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> defensive end <span>Cliff Avril</span> and other players that finished their contract last season would become free agents. Avril specifically would become a restricted free agent since he has only been in the league three years.</p>
<p>Since it seems there's no chance of a new CBA being worked out in the coming days, free agency won't get underway for probably quite a while. Even so, the Lions took care of some business today by <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/AdamSchefter/status/42675615765241856">tendering a contract offer to Avril</a>. The offer is at a first- and third-round level, the highest such level for a restricted free agent.</p>
<p>What this essentially means is that if another team signed Avril to an offer sheet and the Lions declined to match the offer, they would receive a first- and third-round pick as compensation. Because Avril is a restricted free agent, the Lions could match any offer sheet he signs, but it's not expected that that will happen. The Lions want Avril back, and it's unlikely a team would be willing to part with both a first- and third-round pick to sign him.</p>
<p>In his first three seasons in the league, Avril had a total of 19 sacks. He recorded 8.5 sacks last season despite only playing in 13 games.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-lions/2011/3/1/2023345/cliff-avril-tendered-by-detroit-lions-nfl-free-agencySean Yuille2011-01-05T19:20:36-05:002011-01-05T19:20:36-05:00Detroit Lions Offseason Moves: Martin Mayhew Talks Offseason Plans
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> general manager Martin Mayhew met with the media today and answered some questions about his plans for the offseason, specifically about which players he plans on bringing back or letting go.</p>
<p>The most notable thing Mayhew answered was the question about if linebacker <span>Julian Peterson</span>'s days in Detroit are done. After being made inactive for the season finale, there has been plenty of speculation that Peterson will be released on the day after the Super Bowl (the first day players can be let go), and today <a href="http://detnews.com/article/20110105/SPORTS0101/101050435/1126/rss14">Mahyew confirmed</a> that the Lions will be parting ways with the former Michigan State Spartan.</p>
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<p>"We had a meeting on Monday, a great meeting, and I thanked him for his two years of service," Mayhew said. "Anytime you make 31 straight starts for a team, you have given a lot of blood, sweat and tears to make that happen. I thanked him and told him we weren't going to bring him back."</p>
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<p>Peterson's contract has him making $8 million next season if he is still on the team, so it's not really surprising that the Lions are going to go in a different direction at linebacker. (Mayhew also said that linebacker Jordon Dizon, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last preseason, likely won't be brought back in 2011.)</p>
<p>Another former Spartan that may not be back next season is quarterback <span>Drew Stanton</span>. He is set to become a free agent, and although <a href="http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2011/01/detroit_lions_ndamukong_suh_to.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter">Mayhew said</a> the Lions are pleased with his on-field performance this past season, Stanton's issues with injuries are a concern. Mayhew added that a decision on what to do with Stanton hasn't been made yet.</p>
<p>A decision on what to do with the kicker position has also yet to be made. You would think it'd be a given that the kicker job belongs to <span>Jason Hanson</span>, but he has dealt with injuries the last couple years and 2011 would be his 20th season in the league. He kicked well before getting hurt in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">Jets</a> game this past season, but <span>Dave Rayner</span>, his replacement, stepped up and kicked quite well for the Lions the last couple months of the season. Mayhew didn't say whether or not Hanson would be fighting for his job next season with someone like Rayner, but <a href="http://oplions.blogspot.com/2011/01/lions-kicker-jason-hanson-not-certain.html">he did say</a> that plans for the kicker position are still being formulated.</p>
<p>Another position that may also have plans that still need to be formulated is at fullback. <span>Jerome Felton</span> <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20110104/SPORTS01/101040425/1049/SPORTS01/Lions-FB-Jerome-Felton-wants-to-be-used-more-next-season">said earlier this week</a> that he wants to be used more in 2011, even if that means not returning to the Lions. Felton is set to become a restricted free agent this offseason, which means the Lions will have to decide if they want to tender Felton a contract offer. Felton could still sign with another team, but the Lions would have the opportunity to match any offer. They could also trade him or simply not tender him an offer, essentially making him an unrestricted free agent. Mayhew didn't address Felton's status for next season (as far as I know), but it will be interesting to see what the Lions decide to do with him.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2011/1/5/2327561/detroit-lions-offseason-moves-martin-mayhew-talks-offseason-plansSean Yuille