It has been reported that the Eagles and Lions were discussing a trade involving Asante Samuel last offseason. Reports indicate that the cornerback is no longer a fit for Detroit. A league source said that there was "not a chance" that the Lions would continue to pursue Samuel.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz used to reward players with small gifts for hard hits as defensive coordinator of the Titans, but he said Tuesday there's "a big difference" between his old method and the bounty program employed by the Saints. "To put people out of the game, that's never been our experience," Schwartz, who discontinued the practice before joining the Lions, said. "And like I said, I think more people focus more on the exception rather than the rule in the NFL."

Kevin Smith is returning to the Lions under a one-year contract. Smith posted a message on his Twitter account Tuesday after finding out he would be back in Detroit. "Just finished a great work out with frank gore, and Matt forte and just found out I will be back n the d next year. #imback," he wrote. Smith, 25, rejoined the Lions during the 2011 season after not being tendered a contract during the offseason and helped to fill the void left when concussions derailed Jahvid Best's season and rookie Mikel Leshoure tore his left Achilles tendon.

Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch says he's living his dream. Tulloch says signing his five-year contract Wednesday and sharing the spotlight with his family the next day at a news conference was a moment he's wanted his whole life.

The Lions have re-signed Stephen Tulloch to a five-year contract. Retaining the linebacker was one of the team's goals after he helped them make the playoffs for the first time since 1999. He shopped his services on the market as an unrestricted free agent, but got the long-term deal he was looking for in Detroit.

The Lions have re-signed Jeff Backus to a two-year, $10 million deal, according to a source. Backus has started every game for Detroit since they drafted him with the 18th overall out of Michigan in 2001.

The contract extension that Calvin Johnson received from the Lions earlier this week may not be as large as has been reported. Initial reports pegged the contract as being worth $132 million over seven years, with $60 million guaranteed, which equates to about $19 million annually. "The problem arises from the disconnect between "seven years" and the value of the deal," writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "Lost in the description is the fact that Johnson already is due to make more than $20 million in 2012, the final year of his rookie deal. And so it's a seven-year extension, creating an eight year deal - and resulting in an annual average somewhere between $15.5 million and $16 million. "The guaranteed money also is believed to be more like $50 million, with the fully guaranteed money under $40 million."

The Lions have signed Calvin Johnson to an eight-year, $132 million contract extension, which makes him the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. The contract includes $60 million in guarantees. The second overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, Johnson was set to enter the final season of his contract. Johnson's deal surpasses that of Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald, who inked an eight-year, $120 million pact last offseason.

Jahvid Best, who sat out Detroit's final 10 games last season after suffering another concussion, has been cleared to work out, according to a source. The source said the running back will be able to take part in the team's OTAs, minicamps and training camp. Best suffered his latest concussion on Oct. 16, when the Lions lost to San Francisco. He was placed on injured reserve in November.

The Lions have placed their non-exclusive franchise tag on Cliff Avril. The defensive end would have become a free agent next week. If Avril doesn't sign a long-term deal with Detroit or another team before July 15, he will have a one-year contract with the Lions for $10.6 million.