NFL Free Agency Preview 2012: Detroit Lions
By Zac Snyder
The 2012 NFL free agency period for the Detroit Lions will be all about retaining their own talent. The Lions are finally in a position where they have talent worth keeping but they also face salary cap limitations that will prevent them from getting active for players like Cortland Finnegan or other big name free agents at positions of need.
The Lions got a bit of a jump start on things by using the franchise tag on defensive end Cliff Avril. Both parties would have preferred to complete a long-term deal before the franchise tag deadline arrived but the Lions did not want Avril to hit the open market. The downside is that the $10.6 million price tag is a bigger weight on the Lions’ salary cap situation than they likely would have faced with a creatively structured long-term deal.
Interestingly enough, Avril isn’t the only existing Lion whose contract situation is causing a lack of flexibility. Wide Receiver Calvin Johnson has a year remaining on his rookie contract but incentive based bonuses have pushed his cap number into the stratosphere. The Lions are working with Johnson’s representatives to come to a salary cap relieving extension but that work is not yet complete. The team was able to restructure the contracts of Ndamukong Suh, Matthew Stafford and Nate Burleson to get under the cap and free up some space ahead of the free agency period.
There are two high priority players the Lions will look to keep: Stephen Tulloch and Jeff Backus. Retaining Backus isn’t expected to be difficult while holding on to Tulloch is a riskier proposition. Jeff Backus has spent his entire career with the Lions and is recovering from a torn bicep injury this offseason. Stephen Tulloch came to the Lions on a one-year deal last summer and may be able to find more money than the Lions can offer on the open market. Whether or not he stays with the Lions likely comes down to his desire to stay with a young contending team and a familiar coach.
Cornerback Eric Wright is another priority for the Lions although he too may be priced out of their limited budget. If Wright leaves via free agency, look for the Lions to add a value-based cornerback later in free agency when the big names and big money are off the board.
The Lions take the mindset of continual roster improvement. If they feel there is a player out there at a price that works for them, they’ll make the move.
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