Detroit Lions look to retain spine of 2011-12 team with new contracts - NFL News
Detroit Lions are looking to retain the majority of the players scheduled to enter free agency as they continue to negotiate with players’ agents on new long term deals.
However, signing back many of the stalwarts that helped Detroit reach the playoffs this year for the first time since 1999 will not be an easy task as the Lions have to contend with salary cap pressures.
The Lions though are giving it their best shot and the Detroit Free Press reported on Wednesday that talks between the franchise and offensive tackles Jeff Backus’ agent are progressing smoothly.
According to the newspaper Backus’ agent Pat Dye said that talks between him and the Lions were positive when the two sides met last week at the National Football League (NFL) Combine and future meetings will be scheduled soon to work out a new deal for
the offensive tackle.
“We met at the combine and had a positive discussion,” Dye said. “We’ll probably be reconvening here in the near future and we’ll see where it goes.”
Backus though is just one of a number of Lions players entering the final days of their current contracts. Linebacker Stephen Tulloch, defensive end Cliff Avril, Cornerback Eric Wright and most importantly wide receiver Calvin Johnson all need their contracts
renewed to stop them from entering free agency.
Johnson is the most important for Detroit as his brilliant form and combination with quarterback Matthew Stafford played a pivotal role in the Lions finally having a winning season.
Johnson’s new contract though places new problems for Detroit.
The wide receiver is set to become the most highly paid player in his position with the new contract which will affect the Lions salary cap space leaving little extra money for the franchise to negotiate new contracts with other free agents.
Lions’ general manager Martin Mayhew has said that the Lions have a plan to handle Johnson’s cap number and they are prepared to make a deal soon.
“Obviously, we (would) have a lot more flexibility having more cap room, so we have a desire to get that done, but we’ve got a way to handle his number,” Mayhew said.
Defensive end Cliff Avril has previously been rumoured to be given a franchise tag but Avril has not reacted positively to the news.
With so many starters entering free agency, Mayhew has his work cut out for him as he looks to retain the spine of the team that brought back the franchise among the NFL’s elites.
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