The Detroit Lions are coming into the 2013 season with high expectations after missing the playoffs last season, but after a tough 24-6 loss against the Cleveland Browns in the preseason where nothing seemed to work, the team is turning to the free agent market in Rashean Mathis.
According to ESPN.com, the Lions will host Mathis, who is a free agent after the Jacksonville Jaguars decided not to bring him back on a contract. Mathis had some solid years as a free agent and after Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden went to town on the Lions secondary, the team is hoping to turn things around with an addition. The team right now has Ron Bartell, Chris Houston, with Bill Bentley in the nickel as well as rookie Darius Slay and the coaching staff sees some issues coming and wants some depth in the secondary.
Weeden and backup Jason Campbell carved up the Lions secondary, giving up over 220 yards passing on 20 of 26 passes and they scored three touchdowns to go along with it. Mathis is 33-years-old and has made the Pro Bowl in the past and while he might be over the hill, having a veteran presence in the secondary isn't a bad idea either. Mathis has had some injury issues in the past and while he was with the Jags since 2003, he has only played in all 16 games in a season once since 2006 and that was back in 2010.
Mathis played in nine games last season while coming back from an ACL injury from the year before and while he didn't put up great numbers, having him on the team could be a big deal for the Lions. The team has issues at safety after losing a starter last season and Mathis can play there as well. Last year he had 20 tackles and played in 12 games and the year before he only played in nine. In his career Mathis has started 129 games over 10 seasons and while he was a low rated player last season, clearly he could be a nice upgrade for the Lions.
The Lions play the Patriots next on the schedule before visiting the Bills and then they will open the season against the Vikings at home.
