Lions have one done, working on others
Running back Morris agrees to contract terms; WR Washington is close to reaching agreement.
John Niyo / The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK -- On the first day of the NFL's free-agent signing period, the Lions were busy playing host.
But the first deal made was a long-distance connection, with former Seattle Seahawks running back Maurice Morris agreeing to terms on a three-year, $7 million deal, according to an NFL.com report. Lions representative Bill Keenist said the team had no announcements to make Friday night.
Morris, 29, who has seen spot duty as starter in seven seasons with the Seahawks, fills the team's need as a backfield complement to starter Kevin Smith.
Meanwhile, Lions officials spent the afternoon meeting with a pair of would-be offensive starters in receiver Nate Washington and guard Derrick Dockery. And while Dockery opted to sign with the Washington Redskins, a deal with Detroit could be close for Washington, 25, a Toledo native who has won a pair of Super Bowls in four NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"This is close to home for him, and it's a great opportunity," said Brian Overstreet, Washington's agent. "And we feel good about what (Lions general manager) Martin Mayhew is doing there. With Daunte Culpepper there, an accomplished quarterback, and the potential to get one in the draft, they're building. They're building something special. And we see a lot of opportunity there for Nate to flourish."
Coming off a career-best season -- 40 catches, 631 yards and three touchdowns -- Washington is looking for a bigger role, as well as a much bigger paycheck, after spending the last three seasons as the No. 3 receiver behind Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes in Pittsburgh. Washington, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound burner, was initially believed to be seeking a deal worth $4-5 million annually, with $7-8 million in guaranteed money. But that price might have risen with interest from other teams, including Tennessee, the other finalist.
The Lions have other options if a deal couldn't be reached with Washington. Former Tampa Bay receiver Michael Clayton is another target in the search to find a No. 2 receiver opposite Calvin Johnson. Still, it sounds as if Washington's ready to be that guy.
"I mean, they potentially can be one of the top three or four combinations in this league," Overstreet said. "And I think he can be an important piece of the puzzle for the Lions."
Dockery, a 335-pound left guard, was released by the Buffalo Bills Friday, but only after a proposed trade with the Lions fell through. The Bills didn't file the necessary paperwork in time, ESPN reported, so the team instead released Dockery. That, in turn, paved the way for his return to Washington -- the team that drafted him 2003 -- with a five-year, $26.5 million deal that includes $8.5 in guaranteed money.
The Lions also are pursuing cornerback Jabari Greer, who was scheduled to visit Detroit today. The Lions also showed interest in former Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden, though his only known scheduled visit was with the Arizona Cardinals.
One name crossed off the Lions' list is Titans safety Vincent Fuller, who agreed to terms on a three-year deal to stay in Tennessee. But that might increase the likelihood Titans teammate Chris Carr, another Lions target, will end up in Detroit.
Also Friday, one of the few free agents the Lions had hoped to re-sign from their own roster, fullback Moran Norris, agreed to a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, his former team.
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