Report: Eric Wright signs 5-year deal with Bucs
Posted by on March 14, 2012 – 8:40 amThe Lions lost their first significant free agent when cornerback Eric Wright agreed to a contract with the Buccaneers this morning, ESPN reported. The contract is reportedly a five-year deal but no specifics have been released.
Wright started every game at cornerback last year with 73 tackles and a career-high four interceptions.
He signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Lions as a free agent last summer. Lions general manager Martin Mayhew had said publicly that he wished to re-sign Wright.
The team will now look elsewhere to add talent and depth to a secondary that struggled with injuries and consistency last season.
There have already been a number of cornerback signings early in free agency, including Cortland Finnegan (Rams) and Carlos Rogers (49ers). This could get the Lions involved in the second-tier market at the position.
The Lions could also use the draft to bolster the position, which now has just three players under contract who have played significant minutes (Chris Houston, Aaron Berry and Alphonso Smith).
The Lions like Berry and we could see him play a bigger role next season, possibly challenging for the No. 2 corner spot behind Houston.
Smith was mentioned in trade rumors during the NFL Scouting Combine in February, but the Lions could be looking to hang on to him now that Wright is gone.
Tags: Eric Wright
Posted in Lions Insider Tim Twentyman | 17 Comments »
By Klint Walker on Mar 14, 2012 | Reply
Money Hungry. Wright is not a team player. Skip him
By LionsFan4Life on Mar 14, 2012 | Reply
Bye bye E. Wright we’ll find someone better as a FA or in the draft. I think we’ll win the big one b4 the Bucs anyway. I trust Mayhew & Lewand although this will be their toughest offseason so far.
By chris on Mar 14, 2012 | Reply
lmao wright is acctually horrible, goes from a great team to a bad team, who cares about that guy
By B on Mar 14, 2012 | Reply
Good, that dude couldn’t cover a twin bed with a king sized blanket
By Danny Skellett on Mar 14, 2012 | Reply
I will not miss him. Bye
By Eddie Ed on Mar 14, 2012 | Reply
Eric did what he was supposed to do @CB pos. But by no means is he not replaceble. Alphonso Smith came in2 yrs. ago and did the same thing Eric did last season. Alphonso was great until he got embarressed publicly on national tv. twisted turned and everything but fall down defending branch of the Patriots. If the Lions can somehow help Alphonso get his confidence back. Lions fans (me) will not every mention eric wrights name again
By pdelao on Mar 14, 2012 | Reply
wright was no good at all..i didnt want him back..we need another better corner back anyway..
By Chris Schram on Mar 14, 2012 | Reply
Go wave your finger around in another uniform. SO HAPPY to see him leave.
By John on Mar 14, 2012 | Reply
All I’m saying is Aaron berry needs to get the hell out of detroit
By jason on Mar 14, 2012 | Reply
pfft, yeah why would you want to stay with a up and coming dominate team when you can go to the bucks for a few mil?
very bad move
By bob on Mar 14, 2012 | Reply
Best wishes. Florida is really hot! Sorry you left.
By Polk on Mar 14, 2012 | Reply
Wright had a career high of 4 Interceptions yeah!!! and thats good. We need next level players good riddens Bring on Asanti Samuel
By dcleve126 on Mar 14, 2012 | Reply
okay Wright gone best wishes. Can you say Draft here we come, I have always thought there is a Tom Brady cornerback out there diligence and homework to find him. I think he has already paid a visit small major school cornerback yes yes yes
By craig casto life long lion fan on Mar 14, 2012 | Reply
If the lions wanted to keep him they would have not that good or a team player they have someone else in mind . THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THE MOST FEARED RECIEVER IN THE GAME GO LIONS
By doug on Mar 15, 2012 | Reply
as a season ticket holder i see more than what is on tv, he was the best cornerback the Lions had, quaterbacks would not through to him, so when they through away from him, the other cornerbacks left guys wide open all over the field. I wish him the best and good luck to him, Lions should have kept him, he was best one they had
By MWC1959 on Mar 15, 2012 | Reply
Take a look at Josh Pleasant CB Kent State.
Cat like quick and a big hitter
By Detroit Lions #1 on May 30, 2012 | Reply
Tampa OVERPAID like crazy,wow! BYE!