INDIANAPOLIS -- last week, we discussed the availability of definitely free agent safeties Bob Sanders and O.J. Atogwe. on the time, the Detroit Lions experienced been pursuing an alternate avenue to fortify their safety placement earlier toward the lockout and draft.

Veteran Erik Coleman signed a one-year contract, and speaking right here on the NFL scouting combine, Lions instructor Jim Schwartz recommended the proceed was no flyer. Coleman was released over the Atlanta Falcons quickly after an injury-plagued season, but if definitely nothing else, Coleman appears to turn right into a safety net should second-year participant Amari Spievey not progress as hoped.

"[Coleman] physically fits what we're looking for, size-wise and factors like that," Schwartz said. "He also has starting experience. Amari Spievey should develop for us. He do some factors very, really properly getting a rookie. Other things, he executed like a rookie. He has huge advancement forward of him, however it assists tremendously that when you have Erik -- who is even now 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 experienced been one of people conditions in which he was available, he fits the procedure explanation of what we experienced been looking for. He was decent to add."

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