INDIANAPOLIS -- last week, we discussed the availability of completely free agent safeties Bob Sanders and O.J. Atogwe. in the time, the Detroit Lions have been pursuing an alternate avenue to fortify their safety location preceding in the direction of the lockout and draft.

Int0 Veteran Erik Coleman signed a one-year contract, and speaking right here in the NFL scouting combine, Lions mentor Jim Schwartz recommended the proceed was no flyer. Coleman was introduced in the Atlanta Falcons shortly after an injury-plagued season, but if definitely nothing else, Coleman appears to appear to be considered a safety net may second-year participant Amari Spievey not progress as hoped.

"[Coleman] physically fits what we're looking for, size-wise and matters like that," Schwartz said. "He also has starting experience. Amari Spievey should acquire for us. He do some matters very, extremely nicely getting a rookie. Other things, he achieved like a rookie. He has huge development forward of him, however it may also help tremendously that after you have Erik -- who is nevertheless young, fits the procedure description, has starting experience.

"He can start, possibly can back again up. That race hasn't been run yet. I think it absolutely was just one of individuals scenarios in which he was available, he fits the procedure explanation of what we have been looking for. He was beneficial to add."

This year's safety rookie crop was scheduled to arrive in the scouting combine Saturday and will hold out out Tuesday. But it's difficult to envision the Lions spending a tremendous draft choose in that position. among the Coleman, Spievey and Louis Delmas, they most in all probability have enough depth to concentrate on other areas.Share