James Ihedigbo (32) reacts during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Lions are looking for a new starting safety after cutting ties with Louis Delmas earlier this offseason, and they could either add a free safety and keep Glover Quin Jr. at SS or bring on a strong safety and move Quin to FS, where he looks like a better fit (Quin used to play at cornerback for the Houston Texans). The Lions have been talking to former Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, and New York Jets safety James Ihedigbo for quite some time, and those talks haven’t stopped.
According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Lions GM Martin Mayhew stated that they are “still in dialogue” with Ihedigbo, but there is no “timetable” for a move. Ihedigbo visited the Lions early in the free agent period and reportedly has interest from a few other teams, but no free agent offer came from his visit despite his clear interest in signing with the Lions.
Normally a tremendous liability in coverage, Ihedigbo was more than just a depth safety and special teams contributor for the Ravens last season, as the 3o-year-old had the best season of his career under defensive backs coach Teryl Austin. That link is huge, because he’s the new Detroit Lions defensive coordinator. The Baltimore Ravens have shown some interest in Ihedigbo, but they aren’t expected to sign him and need to move in a different direction anyway. 2013 first-round pick Matt Elam looks like a very good strong safety, so the Ravens need to draft a centerfielder type at FS.