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mhughes0021
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The Detroit Lions are still in need of a defensive end and one of the top names remaining on the market is interested in filling that void.
According to a report by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Freeney has identified the Lions as one of three teams that would be a fit for his services.
"There are a couple other places Freeney has spotlighted as places he'd like to go," Rapoport said. "Denver is one. The Lions, who still need a pass-rusher, they're another. The Dolphins they're another."
The Broncos have been the team most commonly linked with Freeney after the franchise was unable to re-sign Elvis Dumervil.
Rapoport suggests Freeney is looking for more than Osi Umenyiora signed for on Thursday. That contract is valued at two-years, $8.5 million, with an additional $3.5 million available via performances bonuses.
Freeney is content to wait for his demands to be met.
"He's willing to wait until right after the draft, when teams start to realize they didn't get the pass-rusher they wanted," Rapoport said. "The other window of opportunity he's spotlighted is right around training camp, when teams do have injuries."
Freeney, 33, has recorded 107.5 sacks in his career, but is coming off consecutive seasons with fewer than nine. His stats took a nosedive in 2012 when he was moved to outside linebacker in the Indianapolis Colts' new defensive scheme.
Despite the decline, Lions coach Jim Schwartz was highly complimentary of Freeney's play leading up to matchup between the Lions and Colts this past season.
"We're sitting there watching Dwight Freeney and watch him just affect the game on just about every play, really raising hell as a pass-rusher," Schwartz said. "I mean, what do you judge on? Do you judge on what he's doing on tape? Because based on tape, we are going to have our hands full with Dwight Freeney. Based on the stat sheet, you wouldn't even pay a second thought to 93, but we certainly are."
Freeney did not show up in the official box score in the win over the Lions, but according to Pro Football Focus, he pressured Matthew Stafford five times, hitting the quarterback once.
The Lions have approximately $7 million in cap space and will need between $3-4 million to sign their 2013 draft picks this summer.
According to a report by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Freeney has identified the Lions as one of three teams that would be a fit for his services.
"There are a couple other places Freeney has spotlighted as places he'd like to go," Rapoport said. "Denver is one. The Lions, who still need a pass-rusher, they're another. The Dolphins they're another."
The Broncos have been the team most commonly linked with Freeney after the franchise was unable to re-sign Elvis Dumervil.
Rapoport suggests Freeney is looking for more than Osi Umenyiora signed for on Thursday. That contract is valued at two-years, $8.5 million, with an additional $3.5 million available via performances bonuses.
Freeney is content to wait for his demands to be met.
"He's willing to wait until right after the draft, when teams start to realize they didn't get the pass-rusher they wanted," Rapoport said. "The other window of opportunity he's spotlighted is right around training camp, when teams do have injuries."
Freeney, 33, has recorded 107.5 sacks in his career, but is coming off consecutive seasons with fewer than nine. His stats took a nosedive in 2012 when he was moved to outside linebacker in the Indianapolis Colts' new defensive scheme.
Despite the decline, Lions coach Jim Schwartz was highly complimentary of Freeney's play leading up to matchup between the Lions and Colts this past season.
"We're sitting there watching Dwight Freeney and watch him just affect the game on just about every play, really raising hell as a pass-rusher," Schwartz said. "I mean, what do you judge on? Do you judge on what he's doing on tape? Because based on tape, we are going to have our hands full with Dwight Freeney. Based on the stat sheet, you wouldn't even pay a second thought to 93, but we certainly are."
Freeney did not show up in the official box score in the win over the Lions, but according to Pro Football Focus, he pressured Matthew Stafford five times, hitting the quarterback once.
The Lions have approximately $7 million in cap space and will need between $3-4 million to sign their 2013 draft picks this summer.
