Complete Coverage On The Lions
Lions select Ezekiel Ansah in first-round of 2013 NFL draft
The Detroit Lions selected BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah with their first-round pick (fifth overall) on day one of the 2013 NFL draft.
Ansah was drafted to replace Kyle Vanden Bosch, who was released earlier this offseason.
Last season, Ansah had 62 total tackles, 13 going for a loss, including 4.5 sacks in 2012. He finished the Senior Bowl with seven tackles, including 3½ for losses (1½ were sacks). (MLive.com)
Lions kicker Jason Hanson announces retirement
Longtime Lions kicker Jason Hanson announced he is retiring from the NFL after 21 seasons.
Hanson released a statement through the team this afternoon, shortly after the retirement was announced at 4pm.
“It’s time,” Hanson said. “I gave serious thought and consideration to playing in 2013. While the determination and willpower are still there, the wear and tear on my body, especially the issues I had and still have with my heel have convinced me that it’s time to retire” (WXYZ).
Lions tackle Jeff Backus to retire after 12 seasons
Jeff Backus has served as the Lions’ starting left tackle since he was drafted in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
Backus completes his career holding the franchise record for consecutive starts (187) and is third all-time in team history for most games played (191).
Backus’ stretch of service for the Lions included a 2011 playoff game at New Orleans as his franchise record of 187 consecutive starts ended last season when he was officially designated inactive on Thanksgiving Day vs. Houston (11/22). (DetroitLions.com).
Glover Quin agrees to five-year deal with Lions, according to source
With Chris Houston, Reggie Bush and Jason Jones already part of the Detroit Lions’ free agent haul on Wednesday, the team added another huge splash when they agreed to terms on a new five-year deal with safety Glover Quin, according to league sources.
Specific terms of the deal were unknown and the team has yet to officially announce the deal.
The Detroit Lions have been on the lookout for a cover safety to help improve a secondary that allowed 13 plays of 40-plus yards in last season, second most in the NFL.
The former Texan is considered one of the top young safeties in the league and an ascending four-year starter.
A cornerback his first two seasons after the Texans drafted him in the fourth round out of New Mexico, Quin was moved to safety in 2011 and has flourished ever since.
He’s started every game the last three seasons with 246 tackles and five interceptions. He’s a player who can man up in the slot and cover some of the league’s best tight ends and also take away the deep portion of the field. (DetroitLions.com).
Lions agree to 4-year deal with RB Reggie Bush
The Detroit Lions have agreed to terms on a four-year contract with Reggie Bush and will introduce the running back at a a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
The Lions on Wednesday also agreed to deals with cornerback Chris Houston and former Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Jason Jones.
The 29-year-old Bush proved that he can be an every-down tailback in Miami, rushing for 2,072 yards and 12 touchdowns in two seasons with the Dolphins.
In 2012, Bush played in every game for the first time since 2006 and fell just shy of his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season, finishing with 986.
In 91 career games, Bush has 4,162 yards rushing and 2,730 receiving and 48 touchdowns (29 rush, 15 receiving, 4 return) (ESPN).
