Mr. Laz
06-01-2006, 12:59 PM
Updated: May 31, 2006, 3:45 PM ET
Lions sign guard Verba, release QB KingESPN.com news services
DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions signed free-agent guard Ross Verba and released quarterback Shaun King on Wednesday.
Verba
Verba, who didn't play football in 2005 after eight seasons with Cleveland and Green Bay, inked a one-year deal with additional option years.
Verba has started 100 games after being drafted 30th overall by the Packers in 1997. He started at left tackle during Green Bay's Super Bowl appearance his rookie year.
The eight-year veteran started all 16 games for Cleveland at left tackle in 2004, but then was publicly critical of the organization last summer. In part, Verba talked himself off the team, but his freedom also had a price. The Browns forced him to repay a $465,000 roster bonus that Verba had received earlier in the offseason before granting him his release.
Although he garnered interest from a few teams after his release, none of them offered Verba a contract he felt approximated his value, and he sat out the entire year. There had been reports this offseason that Verba worked out for some teams and hoped to return to the league.
Verba, who missed the 2003 season with a biceps injury, played under Lions offensive line coach Larry Beightol in 1999 and 2000.
It is not yet known how the Lions plan to use Verba, who has played at various times at every offensive line position except center. Detroit already has a standout left tackle in five-year veteran Jeff Backus, who was designated by the Lions as a franchise player this spring, and who two weeks ago signed the one-year qualifying offer. Right tackle Kelly Butler struggled in 2005, his first season as a starter, and it could be that Verba challenges him for the starting spot.
King, 28, was the first of three veteran free agent quarterbacks added by the Lions in the offseason, but quickly was nudged down the depth chart when Detroit also added Jon Kitna and Josh McCown. He did not play in 2005 but, in six seasons, most of them spent with Tampa Bay, he completed 415 of 736 passes for 4,566 yards, with 27 touchdown passes and 24 interceptions.
Information from The Associated Press and ESPN.com senior writer Len Pasquarelli was used in this report.
Lions sign guard Verba, release QB KingESPN.com news services
DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions signed free-agent guard Ross Verba and released quarterback Shaun King on Wednesday.
Verba
Verba, who didn't play football in 2005 after eight seasons with Cleveland and Green Bay, inked a one-year deal with additional option years.
Verba has started 100 games after being drafted 30th overall by the Packers in 1997. He started at left tackle during Green Bay's Super Bowl appearance his rookie year.
The eight-year veteran started all 16 games for Cleveland at left tackle in 2004, but then was publicly critical of the organization last summer. In part, Verba talked himself off the team, but his freedom also had a price. The Browns forced him to repay a $465,000 roster bonus that Verba had received earlier in the offseason before granting him his release.
Although he garnered interest from a few teams after his release, none of them offered Verba a contract he felt approximated his value, and he sat out the entire year. There had been reports this offseason that Verba worked out for some teams and hoped to return to the league.
Verba, who missed the 2003 season with a biceps injury, played under Lions offensive line coach Larry Beightol in 1999 and 2000.
It is not yet known how the Lions plan to use Verba, who has played at various times at every offensive line position except center. Detroit already has a standout left tackle in five-year veteran Jeff Backus, who was designated by the Lions as a franchise player this spring, and who two weeks ago signed the one-year qualifying offer. Right tackle Kelly Butler struggled in 2005, his first season as a starter, and it could be that Verba challenges him for the starting spot.
King, 28, was the first of three veteran free agent quarterbacks added by the Lions in the offseason, but quickly was nudged down the depth chart when Detroit also added Jon Kitna and Josh McCown. He did not play in 2005 but, in six seasons, most of them spent with Tampa Bay, he completed 415 of 736 passes for 4,566 yards, with 27 touchdown passes and 24 interceptions.
Information from The Associated Press and ESPN.com senior writer Len Pasquarelli was used in this report.