--The Lions signed veteran kicker Jason Hanson to a four-year contract. The Lions would have designated him their franchise player had they not reached a deal before Thursday, the deadline to use franchise tags. That would have allowed them to match any offer Hanson received or let him go for two first-round picks. "Obviously Jason is somebody who has been a cornerstone of the franchise for a long time, had probably his best year of his 17-year career last year, and we're excited to have him in the fold for the next four years," Lewand said. Hanson, 38, went 21-for-22 on field goals in 2008, including 8-for-8 from 50 yards or more. Asked if this contract would take Hanson to retirement, Lewand said: "I wouldn't put anything past Jason. At that point, he'll be pushing 43. So he may be just hitting his stride."
--The Lions signed guard Stephen Peterman to a five-year contract. Peterman, 6-feet-4, 323 pounds, started at right guard for the Lions in 2008 and played for new offensive line coach George Yarno for two years at Louisiana State. "Offensive linemen, particularly experienced offensive linemen, are very valuable in this league," Schwartz said. "Stephen, he has the size that we're looking for. He actually has a background with our new offensive line coach at LSU. Thought he fit what we're going to do on offense, and like I said, experience is very valuable in this league."
--Left tackle Jeff Backus has not spoken with Mayhew about moving to guard, other than a short, casual conversation during the 2008 season. "I have not spoken with Martin since the end of the season other than just crossing paths in the facility and just saying hi to each other," Backus said today. "There was just a brief moment during practice one day - I don't even know, November or something - when he asked me if I'd ever played guard before. I said, 'No. I've always played tackle.' And I go, 'Why are you asking?' He just said, 'There's a lot of good tackles coming out of college this year.' That's as much of a conversation as I've had with Martin about playing guard." Backus has started every game at left tackle - 128 straight - since the Lions drafted him in the first round in 2001.
--Lewand has been coy about potential logo and uniform changes. "I would only say that we're looking at all parts of the organization to see where we can improve, and if and when there's an opportunity to have any announcements on those kinds of things, we'll do so at the appropriate time," he said. Asked if it is too late to change this year, he said: "Beyond what I just said, I don't have any comments."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I know about the curse. I know he went to my high school. I know it all, man. It's crazy. It really is weird to think about. It's kind of a cool irony, I guess, that it could happen." - QB prospect Matthew Stafford, who went to Dallas' Highland Park High - just like quarterback Bobby Layne, who supposedly said the Lions wouldn't win for 50 years after they traded him in 1958.
