ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions , who have had the worst-ranked defense in the NFL for the past two seasons, used the first day of the free agency period to work on the offensive side of the ball.
The Lions brought in receiver Nate Washington (Pittsburgh Steelers) and guard Derrick Dockery (Buffalo Bills) for a visit Friday, but the players left the facility without signing contracts. Negotiations are expected to continue.
According to sources including the NFL Network, the Lions agreed to terms with running back Maurice Morris (Seattle Seahawks) on a three-year, $7 million contract. Lions general manager Martin Mayhew and president Tom Lewand were not available for interviews, and the team refused to comment.
Morris, a seven-year veteran who has been mostly a backup in his career with the Seahawks, started 23 games and has a career rushing average of 4.3 yards per carry. Morris is expected to be a backup and share some of the workload with Kevin Smith, last year's third-round draft choice.
If Washington signs with Detroit, he would fill the
No. 2 receiver position opposite Calvin Johnson. Washington, a four-year veteran, was the No. 3 option in Pittsburgh behind Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes and has started one game in his career.
Washington, who had a career-high 40 catches last season, has a career average of 16.4 yards per catch.
Dockery is a 6-foot-6, 330-pound six-year veteran who would step into Detroit's vacant left guard position. He spent four years with Washington, then signed a seven-year, $49 million contract with the Bills two years ago. He was cut by Buffalo this week.
The Lions are expected to begin working on the defensive side soon.
According to Scout.com, cornerback Jabari Greer (Bills) will visit Detroit today or Sunday, while, according to The Tennessean, the Lions have contacted Tennessee Titans defensive back Chris Carr.
