The Lions have signed 29-year old safety Vincent Fuller.  Fuller played in 12 games last year with the Titans and he had 33 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 2 passes defensed and 1 interception.  He has now played in 73 games in his first five years in the NFL and he has 163 tackles, 16 passes defensed, 6 interceptions (4 returned for TDs), 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery and 7 tackles for a loss.  This was a good signing for the Lions as Fuller should be able to help out with depth at safety while also helping out on special teams.

UPDATE:  (10/28/2011) – The Lions have placed Vincent Fuller on I.R., ending his season due to a elbow injury.  Fuller played in 1 game for the Lions and he didn’t make any tackles.

The Lions have re-signed 29-year old CB Anthony Madison, who was one of their last cuts before the season started.  He played in all 16 games for the Steelers last year and he had 24 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception and 1 pass defensed.  Madison has now played in 66 games in his first five years in the NFL and he has 78 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception and 1 pass defensed.  This was a good move for the Lions as Madison should really help them on special teams, while adding depth to the secondary.

UPDATE:  (11/8/2011) – The Lions have waived Anthony Madison.  Madison played in 5 games for the Lions this year and he had 3 tackles.

The Lions have signed 28-year center Chris Morris.  Morris played in 4 games (0 starts) for the Panthers last year.  He has now played in 51 games (11 starts) in his first 5 years in the NFL.  The Lions are smart to bring in more depth for the interior of the offensive line, so I like the pickup of Morris.

UPDATE:  (9/4/2011) – The Lions have waived Chris Morris.

The Detroit Lions have signed 26-year old TE Gijon Robinson.  Robinson played in 11 games for the Colts last year and he caught 3 passes for 12 yards (4.0 avg) with 1 TD grab.  He has now played in 39 games in his first 3 years in the NFL and he has caught 31 passes for 240 yards (7.7 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Robinson will be used mostly as a run blocker as that is his strength.

UPDATE:  (9/4/2011) – The Lions have released Gijon Robinson.

The Lions have signed 28-year old safety Aaron Francisco.  Francisco played in 12 games for the Colts last year and he had 59 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 3 passes defensed and 2 interceptions.  He has now played in 75 games in his first six years in the NFL and he has 218 tackles, 7 passes defensed, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble and 8 tackles for a loss.  Francisco is a solid backup but the Lions will be in trouble if he’s forced into the starting lineup.  Francisco can also help the Lions on special teams, so I like his addition to the team.

UPDATE:  (9/4/2011) – The Lions have released Aaron Francisco.

The Lions have signed 29-year old CB Anthony Madison to a 1-year deal.  Madison played in all 16 games for the Steelers last year and he had 24 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception and 1 pass defensed.  He has now played in 66 games in his first five years in the NFL and he has 78 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception and 1 pass defensed.  Madison’s main role will be on special teams for the Lions but he will also provide some depth at corner in 2011.  The Lions have also released OT Tony Ugoh.

The Lions have signed 32-year old OT Kirk Chambers.  He didn’t play in any games for the Bengals last year.  He has now played in 67 games (14 starts) in his first six years in the NFL.  The Lions are having big time issues with injuries along the offensive line, so it made perfect sense to sign a veteran like Chambers.

UPDATE:  (9/4/2011) – The Lions have released Kirk Chambers.

The Lions have signed 27-year old safety Michael Johnson.  Johnson played in 2 games for the Giants last year and he had 3 tackles.  Johnson has now played in 49 games in his first 4 years in the NFL and he has 159 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, 10 passes defensed and 3 interceptions.  When Johnson is healthy, he’s a good football player, so it was smart of the Lions to sign him and give him a chance.

UPDATE:  (8/29/2011) – The Lions have released Michael Johnson.

The Lions have signed 28-year old center Ryan Niswanger.  Niswanger played in 10 games (0 starts) for the Chiefs last year.  He has now played in 56 games (31 starts) in his first five years in the NFL.  It never hurts to sign a guy like Niswanger as the Lions really have to protect Matthew Stafford well this year so that he can reach his full potential.  The Lions did a good job picking up a quality center like Niswanger so late in the free agency game.

UPDATE:  (9/4/2011) – The Lions have released Ryan Niswanger.

The Detroit Lions have signed 28-year old RB Mike Bell.  Bell played in 16 games (1 start) for the Eagles & Browns last year and he carried the ball 47 times for 99 yards (2.1 ypc).  He also caught 7 passes for 67 yards (9.6 avg) last year.  Bell has now played in 53 games (7 starts) in his first five years in the NFL and he has carried the ball 395 times for 1,475 yards (3.7 ypc) with 14 TD runs.  He has also caught 33 passes for 258 yards (7.8 avg) so far in his NFL career.  Bell might handle some of the short yardage stuff for the Lions as they are without a big back right now.

UPDATE:  (8/28/2011) – The Detroit Lions have released Mike Bell.