Lions Report: Notes, Quotes
--The Lions clearly are looking hard at group of four offensive tackles with their 13th overall pick - USC's Tyron Smith, Colorado's Nate Solder, Boston College's Anthony Castonzo and Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi. Solder, who measured out at 6-8, 319, with a 34 1/2-inch arm reach and an 81-inch wing span, said he met with general manager Martin Mayhew during the Senior Bowl.
"It's going to be very competitive for those guys and it's going to be fun to watch them work out," Schwartz said. "There's a lot of guys in a clump right now, but over the next few months we'll see them separate and see who ends up at the top of the class."
--The Lions have made no secret of their desire to re-sign would-be free-agent CB Chris Houston, though not enough to use the franchise tag on him. "Chris was a very consistent player for us," Schwartz said. "It was probably the best he's played in his career. He's definitely a guy we have a lot of respect for and like to have back. We're still waiting to see what the ground rules (for free agents) are going to be." The Lions might choose to use a restricted tender on him.
--The Lions still haven't released OLB Julian Peterson, though GM Martin Mayhew has already notified him that he won't be back. The Lions are most likely waiting to make sure Peterson is completely healthy before they release him.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Anybody that's been around Kyle Vanden Bosch understands why I was at his doorstep last year (on free-agent signing day). No. 1, he was outstanding as a player and anybody that's been around him understands how much he brings to you in addition to that. He's an incredibly hard worker. If anything, he's a guy that outperforms what he's asked to do. He's such a great example for free agency and for this league. We gave him a lot of money and Kyle feels as though it's his responsibility to earn that. We didn't give him that money based on what he's done in the past. He feels as though he needs to earn that. It's an absolute pleasure to have him. He's going to be a big, big part of our success as an organization." -- Coach Jim Schwartz on Vanden Bosch's impact.
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