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The Lions have released 29-year old CB Travis Fisher. Fisher played in 14 games (8 starts) last season for the Lions and he made 37 tackles and defensed 5 passes. Fisher has now played in 86 games (64 starts) in his NFL career and he has made 336 tackles, defensed 32 passes and he has 9 interceptions (2 returned for TDs). This is a good sign for the Lions based on how poorly the secondary played for them last season.
The Lions have released 29-year old TE Michael Gaines who quickly signed with the NFC North Rival Chicago Bears. Gaines played in all 16 games for the Lions last season and he caught 23 passes for 260 yards (11.3 avg) with 1 TD grab. He has played in 73 games in his 5-year NFL career catching 79 passes for 810 yards (10.3 avg) with 5 TD grabs. This move shouldn’t haunt the Lions this season despite Gaines going to the enemy.
The Lions have released 25-year old RB Brian Calhoun and 31-year old WR Travis Taylor. Calhoun just couldn’t stay healthy in his career with the Lions. He played in 11 games carrying the ball 14 times for 54 yards (3.9 ypc). Calhoun also caught 7 passes for 55 yards (7.9 avg) and he also returned 10 kickoffs for 221 yards (22.1 avg). Travis Taylor played in 101 games in his NFL career catching the ball 312 times for 4,017 yards (12.9 avg) with 22 TD grabs. This is a sign of growth for the Lions in getting rid of players like these.
The Lions have signed offensive guard Toniu Fonoti to a 1-year deal. Fonoti is a big run mauler at 6′4″, 350 pounds and the 27-year old might have something left in his tank. He last played in the NFL with the Dolphins in 2006. Fonoti has played in 40 games (33 starts) in his NFL career. The Lions hope that Fonoti can give them some quality depth on the interior of the offensive line in 2009.
The Lions have signed 32 year old DT/DE Eric Hicks to a 1-year deal. He did not play last season in the NFL. Hicks has played in 139 games in his NFL career and he has made 335 tackles, has defensed 11 passes, has 44.5 sacks and he has forced 7 fumbles. This was a depth signing for the Lions as Hicks might have a little something left after having last year off.