DICK LEBEAU TO BE INDUCTED INTO PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

February 6, 2010 @ 6:09PM

Cornerback Dick LeBeau, a stalwart of the Lions’ great defenses of the 1960s, will become the 18th player in franchise history to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. LeBeau was voted by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, during a process that takes place annually on the Saturday of Super Bowl weekend, to join the Class of 2010 for enshrinement this August. The Lions all-time leader in interceptions played 14 seasons in Detroit. He holds the NFL record for consecutive games played by a cornerback and the franchise record for consecutive starts with 171.

STATEMENT FROM LIONS PRESIDENT TOM LEWAND ON DICK LeBEAU
“The Detroit Lions and the William Clay Ford family congratulate Dick LeBeau on being selected for enshrinement into Pro Football Hall Fame. As one of the NFL’s all-time great cornerbacks, this recognition is extremely well deserved.

“Few players in Lions’ history were as productive and durable as Dick was during his 14-year career. Not only was he a critical piece of several outstanding defenses during his career, but he also played the game with tremendous class and dignity. In 1970, Dick eclipsed the franchise’s all-time record with a remarkable 62 career interceptions, a mark that still stands after almost 40 years.

“Dick was a special player, and he now joins 17 players in Lions’ history to bestowed this great honor.”



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"LIONSHARE" AT ACHATZ PIE STORES SUPPORTS THE SALVATION ARMY FOR HAITI RELIEF

February 4, 2010 @ 8:10AM

Lions' players will be at Achatz pie stores tomorrow to support relief efforts

Allen Park, MI - Achatz Handmade Pie Co. and the Detroit Lions are teaming up to raise money for Haiti Earthquake relief. On Friday, February 5, from 12:00-2:00 PM, Detroit Lions players will meet and greet customers at various area Achatz Handmade Pie Shops, http://www.achatzpies.com/.

From 8 AM to 5 PM, customers will also receive a free slice of pie or a hot bowl of soup to-go with a donation of $10 or more for the Haiti Relief effort. Donations will be collected at all six Achatz Pie locations, as well as Achatz Catering and Soups from Skratzch in Adair, Michigan.

All proceeds will benefit The Salvation Army Disaster Relief Fund in Haiti.

Detroit Lions player appearances at:

Troy Pie Shop, 1063 E. Long Lake Road -- Nick Harris, punter

Sterling Heights Pie Shop, 35736 Van Dyke -- Jason Hanson, kicker

Shelby Pie Shop, 46575 Hayes Rd. -- Jared DeVries, defensive end

Oxford Pie Shop, 40 N. Washington -- Luther Elliss, former Lions defensive lineman

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GOODSEARCH.COM TO HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR DETROIT LIONS CHARITIES

February 1, 2010 @ 8:10AM

Lions' fans are asked to 'click on' http://www.goodsearch.com/ when searching the Internet

Allen Park, Mich. - Each time Lions' fans search the Internet they can help Detroit Lions Charities thanks to GoodSearch.com.

GoodSearch.com is a search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. It may be used just like any search engine, and it is powered by Yahoo!, so the results are quick and thorough.

The process is simple. Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter "Detroit Lions Charities" as the charity you want to support. Just 500 persons searching four times a day will raise about $7,300 in a year without anyone spending a dime.

"This is an excellent way to help Detroit Lions Charities help charities throughout Michigan," said Tim Pendell, senior director of community affairs for the Lions. "We have benefited from GoodSearch for the past few years and want to remind Lions' fans to think of http://www.goodsearch.com/ whenever they search online."

Detroit Lions Charities, the non-profit foundation of the Lions, has awarded more than $5.2 million in grants to charities in Michigan since 1991. Grants for 2009-2010 will be announced in March.

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LINEBACKER ZACK FOLLETT AUCTIONING OFF SUPER BOWL XLIV TICKETS FOR HAITI RELIEF EFFORTS

January 28, 2010 @ 9:48AM

Included with Tickets is an Original Wood Carving Created by Zack

Allen Park, MI - Lions’ linebacker Zack Follett is not just talented when it comes to making plays on the football field, he also has other talents off the field. He is using that talent to help raise money for victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

Follett is auctioning off two tickets to Super Bowl XLIV and included with that is an original handmade wood carving made by Follett himself (see photo). The money brought in by these items will be donated to The American Red Cross International Relief Fund to assist efforts in the wake of the tragic earthquake in Haiti.

The auction is posted on the Lions’ NFL Auction website and is run through the NFL office. Follett has purchased two Super Bowl tickets and is donating them along with the carving to try to help the people of Haiti. The one-of-a-kind carving is about 2ft x 3ft made out of plywood, grass turf, authentic NFL football, and Follett's game-used gloves. This is a rare opportunity to be able to take home part of the game and help out a good cause all at the same time.

Click HERE to to bid on the item.
The auction is open now and will run until February 1 at 12:05 PM.

And, click HERE to to see Zack and get more insight into him and his wood carvings.

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LIONS HIRE DANNY CROSSMAN AS SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR

January 22, 2010 @ 3:10PM

Allen Park, Mich.—The Detroit Lions announced today that they have hired Danny Crossman as special teams coordinator. Terms of his contract were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to add Danny (Crossman) to our coaching staff,” said Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz. “He brings a wealth of both college and NFL coaching experience that undoubtedly will have a positive impact on our special teams play. I’ve known Danny for a long time, and I’ve always had tremendous respect for his special teams units.”

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

DANNY CROSSMAN
SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR

Years with Lions: 1
Years in NFL: 8

Danny Crossman arrives in Detroit after working the past seven seasons (2003-09) with the Carolina Panthers, including the previous five seasons (2005-09) as special teams coordinator. He originally joined the Panthers in 2003 as special teams assistant and he also assisted with the team’s strength and conditioning program. This season marks Crossman’s eighth season in the NFL.

During Crossman’s tenure with the Panthers, the team’s kicking and cover groups contributed significantly to the team’s success during his time in Carolina which included three playoff appearances (2003, 2005 and 2008), two NFC South titles (2003 and 2008).The Panthers also finished with at least eight wins five of those seven seasons.

In 2008, the Panthers ranked third in the NFL with an opponent average drive start following kickoffs of 24.7. They were one of only three teams that did not allow an opponent to start a drive following kickoffs past the 50-yard-line. Carolina led the NFL in touchbacks (30) and touchback percentage (33.7), and the team was ninth in the league by allowing a 21.9 opponent kickoff return average.

In his first season (2005) as special teams coach, Crossman’s group ranked among the best in the league. That season, the Panthers ranked ninth in the comprehensive Dallas Morning News special teams ratings which was highlighted with rankings of second in punt coverage and seventh in kickoff coverage.

Under Crossman’s tutelage, Panthers P Jason Baker set the franchise record in net punting average in both 2005 (38.9) and 2006 (39.0). In both seasons, Baker’s net punting average ranked first in the NFC and third in NFL. From 2005-09, Baker ranked eighth in the NFL with a combined net punting average of 38.0.

In 2003, Crossman’s first year assisting the Carolina’s special teams, the Panthers were second in the special teams ratings compiled by the Dallas Morning News.

Crossman entered the pro ranks following 10 seasons as a college coach where he worked with special teams in each season and also coached multiple defensive positions. In 2002, Crossman served as the linebackers and special teams coach at Michigan State.

From 1999-2001, Crossman was on the coaching staff at Georgia Tech. All three seasons, he was the Yellow Jackets special teams coordinator along with defensive ends coach (1999-2000) and defensive backs coach (2001). In both 1999 and 2001, Georgia Tech ranked high nationally in kickoff return average, net punting average and punt return average. Georgia Tech led the ACC in kickoff return average and punt return average during the 2000 season. Two of Crossman’s specialists, K Luke Manget and KR Kelley Rhino, were first-team All-ACC in 2001.

Before arriving at Georgia Tech, Crossman was the defensive backs and special teams coach at Central Florida for two seasons (1997-98). Crossman served a three-year stint (1994-96) at Western Kentucky as special teams and secondary coach (1994-95) and outside linebacker and special teams coach (1996). He entered the coaching ranks in 1993 as the defensive backs and special teams coach at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Crossman earned three letters at the University of Pittsburgh as the team garnered a 22-12-1 record those three seasons and appearances in 1987 Bluebonnet Bowl and 1989 Sun Bowl. He moved to strong safety as a senior and was named team MVP. Crossman earned second-team All-America honors as he recorded 62 tackles and one interception. He originally began his college career at the University of Kansas. As a freshman in 1985, Crossman made eight starts at defensive back, posted 48 tackles, recorded one interception and collected freshman All-America honors.

Following his college playing career, he spent time with the Washington Redskins in 1990 and the Detroit Lions during training camp in 1991. He played for the London Monarchs of the World League of American Football in 1991-92. In the inaugural World Bowl in 1991, he was named MVP in the 21-0 shutout of Barcelona. Crossman intercepted three passes in the championship game and returned one for a 20-yard touchdown.

Crossman earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and communications from Pittsburgh in 1990. He and his wife, Susan, have a son, Kyle, and a daughter, Kaylie.

CROSSMAN’S BACKGROUND

Carolina Panthers 2003-09
Special Teams Coordinator 2005-09
Special Teams Assistant 2003-04

Michigan State 2002
inebackers/Special Teams 2002

Georgia Tech 1999-2001
Defensive Backs/Special Teams 2001
Special Teams/Defensive Ends 1999-2000

Central Florida 1997-98
Defensive Backs/Specials Teams 1997-98

Western Kentucky 1994-96
Outside Linebackers/Special Teams 1996
Special Teams/Secondary 1994-95

U.S. Coast Guard Academy 1993
Defensive Backs/Special Teams 1993


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STAN KWAN RELIEVED OF COACHING DUTIES

January 12, 2010 @ 7:50AM

Allen Park, Mich.— The Detroit Lions announced today that Stan Kwan, who has served as the team’s special teams coordinator the past three seasons, has been relieved of his coaching duties.

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Under Armour Senior Bowl Announces 2010 Coaching Staffs Miami to coach the South squad, Detroit will head up the North

January 8, 2010 @ 3:33PM

Mobile, AL. (Jan. 8)---The season isn’t over just yet for both the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions, or at least not for their coaching staffs. Both staffs have been selected to coach the 2010 Under Armour Senior Bowl, game officials announced today. The Dolphins will coach the South squad in Mobile later this month, while the Lions will head up the North.

This is the fourth time the Dolphins have coached in the Senior Bowl and first since the 1994 game. Legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula coached the three previous trips to Mobile, going 2 and 1 overall with wins in the 1987 and 1994 Senior Bowls and a loss in the 1977 contest.

Current Miami coach Tony Sparano will be coaching the Senior Bowl for the first time in his career, but the Dolphins are no strangers to the talent that arrives in Mobile each January. Miami selected two Senior Bowlers in last year’s NFL Draft, including the 2009 Under Armour Senior Bowl Most Valuable Player—quarterback Pat White.

“My staff and I are looking forward to coaching in the Senior Bowl,” Sparano said. “The Senior Bowl’s outstanding track record and history of developing players for the National Football League is well-known and we’re excited to have the opportunity to work with these young players in preparation for the next stage of their careers.”

The Dolphins went 7 and 9 in 2009 and own the 12th pick in April’s draft. They currently have 14 former Senior Bowlers on their active roster, including four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Joey Porter (1999 Senior Bowl) and quarterbacks Chad Henne (2008 Senior Bowl) and Chad Pennington (2000 Senior Bowl).

This will mark the eighth time the Detroit Lions have coached in the annual senior showcase event. Former Lions coach Bo McMillan actually coached in the very first Senior Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida in 1950 and returned for the first Senior Bowl in Mobile the following year. The Lions last trip to the Port City as a staff came in 2003.

Under first-year coach Jim Schwartz, the Lions went 2 and 14 this season and own the second overall pick in April’s draft. Schwartz, like Sparano, will be coaching his very first Senior Bowl but he too is familiar with the pre-draft event having served on the Baltimore Ravens’ staff when they coached in the 1998 game and more recently as Jeff Fisher’s defensive coordinator when the Tennessee Titans’ staff coached the North squad in 2006.

“I’ve been a part of two staffs that have coached at the Senior Bowl and found both experiences to be exceptional,” Schwartz said. “The hospitality of the people of Mobile and the hard work of the Senior Bowl staff makes this a special event for everyone involved.”

The Lions currently have 21 former Senior Bowlers on their roster and drafted four Senior Bowlers last year, including tight end Brandon Pettigrew with the 20th overall pick.

“As one of the coaching staffs for this year’s Senior Bowl, we look forward to working with some of the best college football players in the country and contributing to the game’s tradition,” Schwartz said.

The 2010 Under Armour Senior Bowl is scheduled for January 30th at 3pm (CT) in Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The game and all practices will be televised by the NFL Network.

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LIONS SIGN NINE FREE AGENTS

January 5, 2010 @ 11:09AM

Allen Park, Mich.- The Detroit Lions announced today that they signed nine free agents for the 2010 season. Terms of their contracts were not disclosed.


Name Pos Ht Wt Age Birthdate Exp College Hometown

Garvin, Michael Ray WR 5-8 182 23 9/29/86 1 Florida St. Upper Saddle River, N.J.

Gronkowski, Dan TE 6-5 260 24 1/21/85 1 Maryland Amherst, N.Y.

Heckendorf, Kole WR 6-2 191 24 11/20/85 1 North Dakota St. Mosinee, Wisc.

Hefney, Jonathan DB 5-9 190 24 2/27/85 1 Tennessee Rock Hill, S.C.

Henderson, Robert DE 6-3 278 26 11/9/83 2 Southern Miss. Ponchatoula, La.

Pratt, Paul DB 5-10 185 24 5/1/85 1 Nevada-Reno Woodland Hills, Calif.

Quarterman, Kurt G 6-5 348 26 10/5/83 3 Louisville Albany, Ga.

Taylor, Terrence DT 6-0 319 23 5/14/86 1 Michigan Muskegon, Mich.

Word-Daniels, Jahi DB 6-0 194 23 11/19/86 1 Georgia Tech Hoover, Ala.

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