The Detroit Lions announced several roster moves on Friday. Not only did they re-sign kicker Matt Prater, but also addressed other free agents from their 2014 team.
As expected, after GM Martin Mayhew's comments at the NFL Draft Combine last month, the Lions offered DE George Johnson a restricted free-agent tender. Detroit gave Johnson an original-round tender at a price of about $1.54 million.
After stops in Tampa Bay and Minnesota, it appears that Johnson has found his place in Detroit. Johnson was originally a defensive tackle until he was released by the Vikings in 2013. At that time Johnson rededicated himself and dropped enough weight to play as a defensive end. Johnson became a staple on the defensive line for Detroit in 2014, and had six sacks.
Johnson can sign with any team once free agency starts, but by tendering the DE it means that they have the right to match any teams offer.
The team also decided to bring back KR/PR Jeremy Ross. Ross was brought back on an exclusive rights tender. An exclusive rights tender means that Ross will not be eligible to sign with any team once the free-agency period starts on March 10th.
After a stellar 2013 campaign, Ross took a step backward in 2014. On the bright side, Ross was the teams 3rd leading receiver in 2014. He had 24 catches, 314 yards receiving, and one touchdown.
In another depth move, the team announced it re-signed fan favorite QB Kellen Moore. The deal is for two years, but terms were not disclosed. Moore was a restricted free agent. He has been with the team since 2012, when he signed as an undrafted free agent.
Although Moore has never been active for a regular season game, he has performed well in the preseason. He will have a chance to compete for the number two QB spot on the depth chart, along with Dan Orlovsky. Lions coach Jim Caldwell was extremely pleased with the chemistry among the quarterbacks and coaches in 2014.