Detroit Lions Weblog

Lions Sign Veteran G/T Ross Verba

The Lions recently signed veteran Free Agent G/T Ross Verba to a one-year contract. Verba, who missed all of last season due to very high contract demands(Browns), has previously played for current Lions O-Line Coach Larry Beightol in Green Bay. Verba immediately enters the competition to shore up the team’s Left Guard position. With Free Agent flop Rick DeMulling returning, the Lions figured to also give players like rookie Jonathan Scott and free agent acquisition Barry Stokes ample opportunity to vie for the role. Whomever emerges from this competition, hopefully will have provided major improvement over the team’s performance last season at that position.

It is also being reported that Rex Tucker is the current starting Right Tackle and that Kelly Butler is his backup. An Offensive Line of Backus (LT), Verba (LG), Raiola (C), Woody (RG), and Tucker (RT), if healthy, could prove formidable. I am excited that it appears that the Lions have increased the quality of it’s depth in the offensive line. Should a player like a Tucker or Verba go down, players like Stokes, Butler, rookies like Scott, and Matua may be able to step in with little talent drop off.