Smith and Vilma to Detroit?
VILMA IS IN MOTOWN
We reported on Tuesday night that the Lions are the favorites to land linebacker Jonathan Vilma in a trade with the Jets.
Vilma was the 12th overall pick in the 2004 draft. He has struggled to adapt to a 3-4 defense, and the thinking is that he'll be better back in a 4-3 attack.
DWIGHT SMITH TO DETROIT
Cut by the Vikings, safety Dwight Smith will now get to play them twice per year.
A league source tells us that Smith has agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions. He'll sign a two-year, $5 million deal.
Per the source, Smith gets a $350,000 signing bonus, a $300,000 training-camp reporting bonus in 2008, and a 2008 base salary of $1.35 million. Next year, Smith is due to receive a $500,000 roster bonus, a $250,000 reporting bonus, and a base salary of $2.25 million.
The move reunites Smith with head coach Rod Marinelli and defensive coordinator Joe Barry, who were assistants in Tampa when Smith played there.