Lions move to shore up defence
NFL teams cannot officially sign free-agent players until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, but reports have the Detroit Lions moving quickly to shore up the team’s defence. The NFL Network is reporting the Lions will sign linebacker Devon Kennard to a three-year deal for $18.75 million and linebacker Christian Jones to a twoyear contract for $7.75 million. The club also announced on Tuesday that it has retained safety Tavon Wilson.
The 26-year-old Kennard is the son of former NFL offensive lineman Derek Kennard. A former fifth-round pick of the New York Giants, the six-foot-four, 256-pound outside linebacker started 11 of 15 games in his fourth NFL season with the Giants and had 41 tackles, four sacks and two pass breakups.
The 27-year-old Jones, who also plays outside linebacker, spent the last four seasons with the Chicago Bears. The six-foot-three, 251-pound Jones, who was signed by Chicago as an undrafted free agent in 2014, had 68 tackles, two sacks, a fumble recovery and broke up one pass last season while starting 11 of 16 games.
A seven-year veteran, the 27-year-old Wilson inked a reported two-year deal for $7 million. The six-foot, 212-pound Wilson started nine of 10 games with the Lions last season before suffering a shoulder injury. He had 55 tackles, two sacks, defended two passes and had one interception and one forced fumble.
TIGERS CUT 11
The Detroit Tigers cut 11 players on Tuesday to get the team’s spring training roster down to 41 players.
The team optioned left-handed pitcher Ryan Carpenter, catcher Grayson Greiner and outfielder Mike Gerber to triple-A Toledo. Right-hander Sandy Baez and infielder Sergio Alcantara were sent to double-A Erie, while righthander Eduardo Jimenez was sent to single-A Lakeland.
As well, the club reassigned right-handed pitchers Enrique Burgos, Kevin Comer and Mark Montgomery along with catchers Jake Rogers and Arvicent Perez to the team’s minor-league camp. The Tigers still have 16 more cuts to make before the team opens the season on March 29.
OPEN NCAA PRACTICE
The first two rounds of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in the Midwest Region will be played at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena on Friday and Sunday.
Before those games, the facility will be open free to the public when each of the eight teams will hold a 40-minute practice on Thursday.
Doors will open at 10 a.m. and Cal State Fullerton will be first on the court at 11 a.m. followed by Butler (11:45 a.m.), Purdue (12:30 p.m.), Arkansas (1:15 p.m.), Michigan State (3:25 p.m.), TCU (4:10 p.m.), Bucknell (4:55 p.m.) and either Arizona State or Syracuse (5:40 p.m.)
Arizona and Syracuse will play in the First Four in Dayton, Ohio, on Wednesday with the winner advancing to Detroit.
Aside from free admission, parking is complimentary in all Olympia Development lots north of I-75 and restaurants and concession stands will be open at Little Caesars Arena.