Jeff Backus

REIFF ON THE RISE? REIFF ON THE RISE? CBS Sports' Pat Kirwan ranked the NFL's offensive linemen for 2013, including five on the rise: MATT KALIL, LT, VIKINGS "He has already been to a Pro Bowl as a rookie, and by this time next year will be on the...

The Detroit Lions haven't shown any interest free agent safety Charles Woodson, but one of his former Michigan teammates -- and until recently, adversaries in the NFC North -- said Woodson would make a nice addition to the Lions' defense. "Immediately,...

When the Detroit Lions open Organized Team Activities next week, the biggest position battle will be at right tackle. Gosder Cherilus is gone after five seasons, off to Indianapolis as a free agent, and Jason Fox and Corey Hilliard are in a two-man...

The second time was better than the first for Rodney Austin. Last year, Austin attended Detroit Lions rookie minicamp as an undrafted free agent from tiny Elon University. He played guard the first day, center the second, and Lions coach Jim Schwartz...

The Sports Xchange NFL Team Report - Detroit Lions - INSIDE SLANT First day on the job, first position drill during rookie mini-camp and Ziggy Ansah, the Lions' first round draft pick, jumped the snap count. Later he jumped offside again on the first...

The Sports Xchange NFL Team Report - Detroit Lions - INSIDE SLANT Defensive end Ziggy Ansah, the fifth overall pick in the 2013 draft, agreed to a four-year contract worth an estimated $19 million with the Detroit Lions. The Lions were able to sign...

The Sports Xchange NFL Team Report - Detroit Lions - INSIDE SLANT Cornerback Darius Slay, drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round despite his history of injuries at Mississippi State, will miss rookie minicamp to recover from recent surgery...

Free agent tackle Winston Justice is scheduled to visit the Detroit Lions today, according to a tweet from Jason La Canfora of cbssports.com. The Dallas Cowboys also have been in contact with Justice, according to the report. Justice, 28, started 12...

The Sports Xchange NFL Team Report - Detroit Lions - INSIDE SLANT The Lions went into the draft with a very specific goal. "One of our goals coming in was to get bigger and to get more athletic, and I think we did that," general manager Martin Mayhew...

The Bears might have improved their pass protection in the NFL draft, but they might not have moved closer to winning the NFC North. The reason is each of their division rivals may have improved their pass rush. That's why the Bears' selection of Kyle...

Now that free agency and the NFL draft are over, how have each of the NFC North teams done in preparing for the 2013 season? Ben Goessling, the Pioneer Press' Vikings and NFL beat writer, graded each team on its offseason. CHICAGO BEARS KEY ADDITIONS:...

The "Papa Grande's Back in Town" award To Jose Valverde, who's back in the Tigers' bullpen, for better or worse. And if nothing else, the Tigers set a good Earth Week example for the kids by recycling. The "Where There's Smoke ..." award To Scott...