Lions coach Rod Marinelli would like to sign free agent LB Takeo Spikes, who visited Detroit recently. Marinelli was hoping to have Spikes in time for camp, but Spikes is taking his time before signing. Spikes would play the strong side.
In the meantime, the Lions signed LB Teddy Lehman, who left Detroit for Tampa Bay as a free agent in the offseason, only to be cut by the Buccaneers before camp. They also signed LB Leon Joe, cut LB Alfred Fincher and lost LB Caleb Campbell, a seventh-round pick out of West Point, because of a change in Army policy.
--CB Leigh Bodden has been impressive in camp and has signed a reported four-year, $27 million extension. But he is still behind Travis Fisher on the depth chart for now.
--WR Devale Ellis has looked good and appears to have the edge in the fight for the fifth wide receiver position.
--DT Shaun Cody lost about 15 pounds, putting him at about 291, and has looked quicker in camp.
--WR Reggie Ball suffered a knee injury and was placed on injured reserve.
BATTLE OF THE WEEK: Leigh Bodden vs. Travis Fisher for starting RCB -- Fisher is still the starter because he finished last season as the starter. But Bodden probably won't be on the second team long. Fisher is the starting nickel back but could be pushed by Kalvin Pearson.
OTHER BATTLE FRONTS: The Lions' top three picks are all fighting for starting spots -- Gosder Cherilus at right tackle, Jordon Dizon at middle linebacker and Kevin Smith at running back. Cherilus and Smith have the best chance of winning jobs before the end of camp. The return jobs are wide open, with several candidates, including Devale Ellis, Brian Calhoun, Aveion Cason, Brandon Middleton and Kenneth Moore.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: CB Leigh Bodden -- Bodden came to the Lions with a third-round pick from Cleveland in a trade for DT Shaun Rogers. He made two impressive interceptions in two days and signed a reported four-year, $27 million extension. After one pick, teammates hollered: "Money guy!"
ROOKIE REPORT: RT Gosder Cherilus came to camp on time after signing a five-year deal worth just under $8.9 million guaranteed and just under $15 million total. He is behind George Foster. ... LB Jordon Dizon missed the first three practices of camp before signing and is playing catch up behind Paris Lenon and Buster Davis in the middle. ... RB Kevin Smith has been the most noticeable rookie. He knows the zone scheme and looks good cutting. ... DT Andre Fluellen and DE Cliff Avril are in the mix but haven't stood out so far. ... FB Jerome Felton, WR Kenneth Moore and DT Landon Cohen face stiff competition for jobs.
INJURY REPORT: G Edwin Mulitalo (elbow), TE Dan Campbell (elbow), WR Shaun McDonald (knee) and S Daniel Bullocks (knee) are on the physically-unable-to-perform list. No one is expected to stay on it too long.
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