Lions come up with lots of cap room

**COJOMAY** · 02-25-2006, 04:43 PM

[size=18px]Finding a little extra change [/size]
Adam Schefter
Special to NFL.com

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 24, 2006) -- -- At a time when most teams are struggling to get under the NFL's salary cap, the Detroit Lions have just hit The Powerball.

This week, maybe the most optimum week, the Lions were granted a preposterous $11.75 million salary-cap credit due to a playtime incentive that defensive tackle Shaun Rogers failed to reach last season.

"Cap magic," one Lions official said, confirming the team's windfall.

Besides a possible QB, the Lions could find Shaun Rogers some linemates.
In 2004, the Lions tied Rogers' playtime bonus to 2005 instead of the more conventional 2006 way just in case of the unlikely event that there was no extension to the collective bargaining agreement. Now there is no extension -- and no extension in sight -- but the Lions are in a position every team wishes it were.

They have a windfall of salary-cap space that they didn't anticipate having and now can attack the free-agent market in a way that other teams cannot.

While other teams will be slashing and cutting, the Lions will be out spending. And one of the ways they now can use their newfound $11.75 million windfall is on free-agent quarterback Drew Brees, a quarterback that Detroit is expected to pursue.

With a newfound $11.75 million, how can they not?

**V4L** · 02-25-2006, 07:02 PM

Lions | Millen says team not after Brees
Sat, 25 Feb 2006 05:15:08 -0800

Nicholas J. Cotsonika, of the Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Lions team president Mat Millen was asked Tuesday, Feb. 21, if the Lions would pursue San Diego Chargers QB Drew Brees, if he became an unrestricted free agent. Millen said the Lions couldn't afford Brees and were looking for a backup, not a starter.

**gregair13** · 02-25-2006, 09:59 PM

so now they ahve an extra 11million to spend? they need all of that to a quarterback. brees would be a great fit for them. why not go after him if he is avaible?

**VKG4LFE** · 02-25-2006, 10:19 PM

Because it is the lions we are talking about here, they don't want to improve their team, they want to be stuck in mediocrity!! Which is fine with me.

**DEVIKINGFAN!** · 02-25-2006, 10:25 PM

I'm sorry but the Lions will always be the Buc's of the late 70's no matter how many great players they have. You can win a few games but you still suck and you come from the same town as that shady dude........ sorry detroiters