--Linebacker Takeo Spikes worked out for the Lions last week, and the team hopes to sign him soon. "I think there's a chance if we can come to terms that we could get him before camp," coach Rod Marinelli said Wednesday. However, Spikes continues to weigh situations with other teams as well. With Detroit, Spikes would be penciled in on the strong side.
--Linebacker Caleb Campbell has been ordered to give up professional football after a change in military policy. The Army grad entered the draft thanks to an Army policy that would have allowed him to be a recruiter if he made the Lions. But a Department of Defense policy has trumped the Army's policy. Campbell can ask to be released from his military commitment in May 2010.
Campbell was the sentimental favorite because he comes from Army. He was interviewed on ESPN and NFL Network during the draft. Coach Rod Marinelli served in the Army. President Matt Millen's son Marcus played with Campbell there. But Millen said that was not why he drafted Campbell. He said he would have drafted Campbell had he come from another school.
--The Lions reportedly have inquired about Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms. That would make sense on some levels. Coach Rod Marinelli, a former Buccaneers defensive line coach and assistant head coach, has brought several former Bucs to Detroit. Simms seems to be his type of guy, and the Lions have two inexperienced quarterbacks behind Jon Kitna -- Dan Orlovsky and Drew Stanton. But the Lions just drafted Stanton last year and used a second-round pick to get him.
--No team might fear the Brett Favre news more than the Lions. If he returns to Green Bay -- or goes to another team on the schedule, like Minnesota or Tampa Bay -- the Lions will have to contend with a guy who has beaten them soundly for years. The Lions have never beaten Favre at Green Bay. Never. Playing him every year in Wisconsin since 1991. That's 0-17, including the playoffs.
--The Lions announced they signed defensive end Cliff Avril, a third-round pick, to a three-year deal. No other 2008 Lions' draft picks have signed deals yet, but no holdouts are expected. The Lions have a good track record of getting their draft picks in camp on time. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson held out for a while last year, but he was the second overall pick. The Lions' highest pick this year was offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus, 17th overall.
--Oakland running back LaMont Jordan reportedly visited the Lions as the Raiders explore a trade, but there was little contact between the parties afterward.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "As much as I can say that don't make a difference, you know as a kid you always grow up watching the team. The biggest games I remember were the Thanksgiving Day games. To get a chance to come home and play for this organization and get a chance to play on Thanksgiving, I mean, I couldn't ask for nothing more." -- S Dwight Smith, telling the Detroit Free Press about playing for his hometown team.
Play FOX FANTASY FOOTBALL TODAY!
