Lions keep RB Bell, sign receiver Ogletree
3/11/2014The Detroit Lions achieved one of their top goals this offseason, retaining Joique Bell, and kept another player to give them much-needed depth.
The Lions and Bell agreed to a $9.3 million, three-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person, who said $4.3 million of the contract is guaranteed, spoke Tuesday to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.
Detroit also agreed to a one-year deal with wide receiver Kevin Ogletree, according to another person familiar with negotiations, speaking to AP on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn't been announced.
Seattle receiver Golden Tate also will meet with the Lions, a person familiar with the visit says. The person, who said the wide receiver was traveling to Detroit on Tuesday night, spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the visit had not been announced.
The Lions really wanted Bell back, and can probably find a spot on the roster for Ogletree.
Bell had a team-high eight touchdowns rushing last season. He was second to Reggie Bush with 166 carries for 650 yards rushing for the Lions. Bell ranked third on the team in each of the last two seasons in Detroit with a combined 105 receptions for 1,032 yards.
While Bush gives Detroit a speedy and shifty threat out of the backfield, the 5-foot-11, 220-pound Bell provides much-needed power.
He has run for 1,064 yards — 4.3 yards per carry — and 11 TDs in two seasons with the Lions. The undrafted free agent from Wayne State University played a total of eight games as a rookie in 2010 with the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles.
The Benton Harbor, Mich., native has found a home with the Lions, who signed him off New Orleans' practice squad late in the 2011 season after he bounced around with the Saints, Eagles, Colts, and Bills.
Ogletree can potentially help Detroit because Nate Burleson was released and Ryan Broyles has struggled to stay healthy. He had 13 receptions for 199 yards and a touchdown in 12 games last season for the Lions, who signed him after Tampa Bay cut him. Ogletree has 78 career receptions for 999 yards and six touchdowns over five seasons, four of which were with the Dallas Cowboys.