Lions sign DE Vanden Bosch, WR Burleson has 3 comments

Mar 7th 2010, 13:14 | FFN-Score: 6 points

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- It will take time to determine if the Detroit Lions started the offseason by making all the right moves.

Without a doubt, though, they got who they wanted.

On Saturday, the Lions signed the players they most coveted in free agency -- defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and wide receiver Nate Burleson -- one day after acquiring defensive Corey Williams in a trade with the Cleveland Browns.

It also was expensive.

Vanden Bosch received a four-year contract worth $26 million. Burleson will make $11 million guaranteed as part of a five-year, $25 million deal. Williams has four years and nearly $20 million in base salary left on his contract.

"Bargains are only bargains if they fit," Schwartz said. "We paid full price for the fit and to solve three of the biggest needs on our team."

The Lions, as they promised, aggressively pursued a select number of players after adding numerous lower-tier acquisitions last year following their infamous 0-16 season.

Detroit's 2-14 record in 2009 led to the team focusing its offseason efforts.

Schwartz traveled to Tennessee to woo Vanden Bosch, and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan was dispatched to Seattle to court Burleson.

The second-year head coach sent Vanden Bosch a text message just after midnight Friday while parked outside his gated community, toting a bottle of Opus One and three stuffed animals -- Lions, of course -- for his three young children.

"He said, 'I could be anywhere in the country going after any player and I picked you,'" Vanden Bosch recalled. "That meant a lot to me, and that's something I will never forget."

Burleson, meanwhile, was startled to receive a dinner invitation from Linehan.

"The effort of him coming to Seattle to make a personal connection and look me in the eye, I was very appreciative," Burleson said.

The Lions also added depth on their offensive line, agreeing to a one-year contract with Jon Jansen.

After making a splash during the first two days of free agency, Detroit doesn't expect to make more than a ripple in free agency or via trade.

"I'd be surprised if there was another big one," Schwartz said.

The Lions, though, will have a chance to fill more of their many needs during the NFL draft in April. The team has insisted its options are wide open, but Detroit is expected to select Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh or Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy -- both defensive tackles -- on April 22 with the No. 2 pick overall.

Vanden Bosch raved about Suh, a fellow former Huskers star.

"He's so explosive, so physically gifted," Vanden Bosch said. "I made a point to watch him because I heard all the hype."

Schwartz acknowledged that the much-maligned Lions would have heard about it had they swung and missed on their top targets after making face-to-face pitches.

"You guys would've butchered us if they didn't answer the door," Schwartz told reporters.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press