DETROIT -- Offensive lineman Damien Woody agreed to terms
with the Detroit Lions after playing with the Super Bowl champion
New England Patriots last season.
ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports that Woody signed a six-year, $31 million contract. He received a signing bonus of $9 million, believed to be the most upfront money ever paid an interior offensive lineman, and will have total compensation of $11.5 million for the 2004 season.
Woody was considered one of the best available free-agent linemen and most speculation had him signing with the Dolphins.
"I expect to win right now," Woody said. "That's what I
really care about right now, is winning. I see this team's
commitment to win."
The Lions on Friday also agreed to terms with cornerback
Fernando Bryant on a six-year, $24 million deal with a $7.25 million bonus. Bryant, a free agent from Jacksonville, will be
counted on to start opposite Pro Bowl player Dre' Bly.
The team planned an afternoon news conference at its
Allen Park headquarters to announce the signings.
Offensive line and cornerback were two areas the Lions said they
would target during free agency.
The Lions (5-11) moved quickly this offseason in hopes of
improving, just as they did last year. The Lions signed Bly a year
ago from St. Louis soon after the free agency began.
This week, they released safety Corey Harris, running back James
Stewart, defensive tackle Luther Elliss and wide receiver Bill
Schroeder.
Woody, a 320-pound guard, played five years with the Patriots.
He has missed only two regular-season games in his career, but
was sidelined for the AFC title game and Super Bowl with a
knee injury. The Patriots plugged in journeyman Russ Hochstein with
no apparent falloff.
Bryant, 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, has played with the Jaguars
for his five seasons in the league.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.