Bid Daddy decides on Detroit

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -- Free-agent defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson signed a four-year deal with the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Wilkinson, selected first overall by Cincinnati in the 1994 draft, attended team meetings and took part in Detroit's short practice Sunday afternoon.

The Washington Redskins cut Wilkinson on the second day of training camp after he refused to accept a pay cut.

Wilkinson chose the Lions over several other teams that were interested. He said one factor in his decision was his history with Lions defensive coordinator Kurt Schottenheimer, who coached him with the Redskins in 2001.

"I think I talked to about seven teams, and there were probably three or four that were in top consideration," he said. "There were a lot of reasons for me to come here, including the work I did with Kurt in Washington, but the first goes way back. My grandparents lived here, and I traveled up here many times from our home in Dayton."

Wilkinson spent four years with the Bengals before signing with Washington as a free agent in 1998. In his nine-year career, Wilkinson has 48 sacks but did not record any in 12 games last season.

"I don't have any reason to be mad at Washington," he said. "I had asked them to release me in February, and it just took them until late July to agree with me. It was just time to move on for both sides. Being here is like a breath of fresh air."

Wilkinson is expected to help the depth on the line. Luther Elliss has missed training camp with a torn pectoral muscle and rookie Cory Redding sprained his knee Saturday against Cincinnati.

 

Related information

Stories

Redskins hope opener isn't a foreshadow of fall Redskins DT Noble sidelined for season

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video