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Released by the Buffalo Bills Monday, safety George Wilson visited the Detroit Lions one day after a visit with the Tennessee Titans
George Wilson began his NFL career with the Detroit Lions in 2004 as an undrafted rookie receiver out of Arkansas on the practice squad.
Thursday, the six-year veteran was back in Allen Park, this time as a veteran free agent safety, gauging a possible return to the Motor City.
The Buffalo Bills released Wilson, who has started at strong safety each of the last two years for the Bills, Monday in what was largely salary cap-saving move. He was a captain and had 104 tackles this past season.
The Lions are looking to retool their secondary in the wake of a 4-12 season and they?d certainly like to upgrade at the safety position if possible. Louis Delmas, who missed eight games in 2012 due to knee surgery, is an unrestricted free agent. The other starter at safety, Amari Spievey, played in only five games and is a restricted free agent.
The team has Don Carey, Tyrell Johnson and special teams ace John Wendling under contract next season.
"I definitely think I fit what they're looking for," Wilson told Detroitlions.com during his visit. "They're looking for a guy that can cover tight ends and some of these offensive weapons you have to go against. They?re looking for leadership, communication and just consistency. I think I fit the bill in terms of all of those."
Wilson said his visit went very well and liked the fact that the Lions were the first team to contact him after he was released.
"I was heading back home to Atlanta, but before I even got on the airplane to leave to go back home, Detroit and Tennessee both called,? Wilson said. "Martin (Mayhew) was the first one to call. When they asked me if I?d come in for a visit, I said, 'absolutely'."
Wilson, 31, visited Tennessee on Wednesday.
He said his main priority in the free agency process is to join an organization that has a chance to win a championship.
The Lions are coming off a 4-12 season, but Wilson said they have all the right "core" pieces in place for a quick turnaround. They simply need more complimentary pieces.
"As a free agent, you come in and look at the situation and the opportunity, but then you look at the core pieces that they have in place," he said.
"I know here in Detroit you?re going to score points and the offense is going to keep the chains moving. You always have an opportunity when you have a quarterback like Matthew (Stafford) and a wide receiver like Calvin (Johnson)."
Wilson said he'll weigh his options carefully but enjoyed his visit.
"I'm very optimistic about my visit today and we'll see what happens moving forward," he said.
George Wilson began his NFL career with the Detroit Lions in 2004 as an undrafted rookie receiver out of Arkansas on the practice squad.
Thursday, the six-year veteran was back in Allen Park, this time as a veteran free agent safety, gauging a possible return to the Motor City.
The Buffalo Bills released Wilson, who has started at strong safety each of the last two years for the Bills, Monday in what was largely salary cap-saving move. He was a captain and had 104 tackles this past season.
The Lions are looking to retool their secondary in the wake of a 4-12 season and they?d certainly like to upgrade at the safety position if possible. Louis Delmas, who missed eight games in 2012 due to knee surgery, is an unrestricted free agent. The other starter at safety, Amari Spievey, played in only five games and is a restricted free agent.
The team has Don Carey, Tyrell Johnson and special teams ace John Wendling under contract next season.
"I definitely think I fit what they're looking for," Wilson told Detroitlions.com during his visit. "They're looking for a guy that can cover tight ends and some of these offensive weapons you have to go against. They?re looking for leadership, communication and just consistency. I think I fit the bill in terms of all of those."
Wilson said his visit went very well and liked the fact that the Lions were the first team to contact him after he was released.
"I was heading back home to Atlanta, but before I even got on the airplane to leave to go back home, Detroit and Tennessee both called,? Wilson said. "Martin (Mayhew) was the first one to call. When they asked me if I?d come in for a visit, I said, 'absolutely'."
Wilson, 31, visited Tennessee on Wednesday.
He said his main priority in the free agency process is to join an organization that has a chance to win a championship.
The Lions are coming off a 4-12 season, but Wilson said they have all the right "core" pieces in place for a quick turnaround. They simply need more complimentary pieces.
"As a free agent, you come in and look at the situation and the opportunity, but then you look at the core pieces that they have in place," he said.
"I know here in Detroit you?re going to score points and the offense is going to keep the chains moving. You always have an opportunity when you have a quarterback like Matthew (Stafford) and a wide receiver like Calvin (Johnson)."
Wilson said he'll weigh his options carefully but enjoyed his visit.
"I'm very optimistic about my visit today and we'll see what happens moving forward," he said.
