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The Lions have released 37-year old DT Grady Jackson. Jackson played in 15 games for the Lions last season in which he made 33 tackles, had 2 tackles for a loss and he forced 1 fumble. Jackson’s career appears to be winding down and that was a big part of the reason the Lions added Corey Williams in a trade earlier today.
The Lions have signed 31-year old DE Kyle Vanden Bosch to a 4-year, $26 million dollar deal. He played in all 16 games for the Titans last season and he made 44 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, he had 3 sacks, forced 2 fumbles and he defensed 1 pass. Vanden Bosch has now played in 109 games in his NFL career and he has made 344 tackles, forced 4 fumbles, defensed 5 passes and he has 42.5 sacks. I really like this signing for the Lions as Vanden Bosch will help the team’s pass rush from day #1.
The Lions have signed 28-year old WR Nate Burleson to a 5-year, $25 million dollar deal. Burleson played in 13 games for the Seahawks last season and he caught 63 passes for 812 yards (12.9 avg) with 3 TD grabs. Burleson also returned 30 punts for 254 yards (8.5 avg) last season. Burleson has now played in 90 games in his NFL career and he has caught 263 passes for 3,547 yards (13.5 avg) with 27 TD grabs. He has also returned 156 punts for 1,523 yards (9.8 avg) with 3 TD returns and 56 kickoffs for 1,286 yards (23.0 avg) with a TD return. The Lions might have overpaid a bit for Burleson but he will take some of the pressure off Calvin Johnson starting this season. He is a good receiver and punt returner so I like this move for the Lions.
The Lions have acquired 29-year old DT Corey Williams from the Browns for a future late round pick (5th or 6th rounder). Williams played in all 16 games for the Browns last season and he finished up with 31 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 4 passes defensed. Williams has now played in 88 games in his NFL career and he has made 199 tackles, 21.5 sacks, forced 6 fumbles, defensed 11 passes and he has 1 interception. Williams will likely shift back inside where he truly belongs as the Browns miscast him as a DE. I like this move for the Lions as it gives them more options on draft day because they won’t be forced to take one of the DTs at the top of the draft. I sense a trade down to get more picks after the Browns/Lions trade.
UPDATE: The Lions will also receive a 7th round pick in 2010 from the Browns in this deal and they will give up a 5th round pick in 2010. I like this move for the Lions.
The Lions have released 29-year old CB Phillip Buchanon. Buchanon played in 13 games for the Lions last season and he finished up with 43 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles and 4 passes defensed. The Lions won’t miss Buchanon in 2010 or beyond as the Lions’ secondary was very porous last season.