Glover Quin proved versatile, with one sack, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2012. (Dave Einsel/AP)
The Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins during the first 24 hours of free agency. The Detroit Lions have taken the reins for Day 2.
Detroit agreed to a deal with safety Glover Quin, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Tim Twentyman of the Lions’ official website confirms it’s for five years), a move that follows the re-signing of CB Chris Houston and the additions of DE/DT Jason Jones and RB Reggie Bush. With that frantic run of activity, the Lions directly addressed four of their biggest positions of need.
You certainly could make a case for Houston, Detroit’s No. 1 cornerback for the past two years, or the dynamic Bush as the biggest of those signings. Of the three unrestricted free agents the Lions landed, though, Quin rated highest on Peter King’s top 50 list.
Quin’s arrival will keep Detroit from losing any sleep over Louis Delmas’ probably departure via free agency.
Quin moved to safety full-time last season after spending his first three years with Houston at cornerback. He performed well in that role, especially against the run, finishing with a team-leading 84 tackles.
He was so valuable to the Texans, in fact, that some believed Houston might use the franchise tag to keep him in town. The Texans opted not too and, as a result, the Lions have a new strong safety.
Grade: B-plus. Maybe Quin will struggle at safety outside of Houston’s scheme — or Bush will flop or Jones won’t be the every-down play Detroit needs or Chris Houston will regress. All in all, though, it’s hard to find fault with any of Detroit’s Wednesday moves.
