Lions Defend Lack Of Free Agency Moves, Say They Will Not Spend Just To Spend
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - The Detroit Lions have yet to make a splashy free agent pickup this offseason, and team president Tom Lewand and vice president of pro personnel Sheldon White do not feel any compulsion to do so.
"If there's an opportunity to improve the team … we've shown that we'll be selectively aggressive," Lewand said Tuesday at the town hall meeting with season ticket holders. "Golden Tate last year I think was a great example of that. We just didn't see that same opportunity in this year's free agent class, and the worst mistakes we've seen teams make is when you just go spend money to spend money.
"You feel like you've got to be doing something, so you go spend money in free agency on players that might not be worth it," Lewand continued. "We've seen that, seen some teams that went out, spent big in free agency just a year ago and cut some of those players one year later. You can't be in that position. You have to look for those opportunities to improve yourself."
The Lions traded for perennial Pro Bowl selection Haloti Ngata, who will replace Ndamukong Suh, but other than acquiring Ngata the team has mostly re-signed its own free agents.
The Lions could still make some acquisitions, though the ones they make may not bring too much attention. Far more than positive reviews from observers, however, the team is concerned with finding players who fit what the coaches want to do.
"I mentioned the word 'closers' last year," White said. "We're looking for that type of player. We're looking for a selective player. You want a Glover Quin, you want a Golden Tate, someone who's able to come in, still young enough, and have a career year, those type of players.
"We're not out just reaching to grab anyone and high-fiving in March," White added. "We're trying to find guys that selectively fit our profile, fit what the coaches need, and we all get together and come up with a plan."
