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Lions President Tom Lewand: "Suspensions Are Likely ... "

DETROIT (97.1 THE TICKET) -  Detroit Lions President Tom Lewand talked to Mike Valenti and Terry Foster Tuesday about what's going on with the team -- both on and off the field -- during an interview on 97.1 The Ticket.

The front office has had to run defense as three Lions players have combined for five run-ins with the law this off-season.

Lewand told Valenti and Foster "Suspensions are likely, if you look at similar incidents on other teams, typically what the commissioner likes to do is see it play out in the legal process."

Lewand said the Lions initiated a dialogue with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in order to keep the focus on the young players that he believes can be a 'nucleus' of the team moving forward.

"There has to be accountability, there will be accountability and there has been already, there will be more ... obviously as the commissioners reviews all the cases and hopefully it's all to the end that these guys learn their lessons," said Lewand.

The three Detroit Lions: Mikel Leshoure,  Johnny Culbreath and Nick Fairley have been cited or arrested for a variety of drug and alcohol related offenses.

"We can't suspend them - that's part of the CBA - the restrictions we work under - the discipline falls under the purview of the commissioner," said Lewand.

Lewand acknowledged the disappointment they feel "with any negative interaction with law enforcement" and said management has already expressed that several times.

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