Stafford, Vanden Bosch redo deals, give Lions salary-cap space

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said Tuesday that he was in favor of restructuring his contract to help the team clear salary-cap space to sign other players.

Stafford spoke in vague terms about his new deal after details were reported by the Detroit Free Press and Crain's Detroit Business.

The Free Press reported Stafford and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who also restructured his contract, helped the Lions clear about $8.5 million in cap space. The team used that money to sign linebackers Stephen Tulloch and Justin Durant and cornerbacks Eric Wright and Chris Houston.

"Just trying to be able to have enough cap space to be able to get the players we need and the players we want," Stafford told the Free Press. "I think there's guys in this locker room that, given the opportunity, a lot of them would do the same. We have a great locker room, a great bunch of guys that want to win, and if I can restructure a deal to help our team bring guys in here that can help us win, then I'm all for it."

Both players converted reduced base salaries into signing bonuses to be paid over the remaining years of their deals.

Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, signed a six-year contract worth up to $78 million with $41.7 million in guarantees. Vanden Bosch signed a $26 million, four-year deal last year.

The Free Press, citing papers filed with the NFL Players Association, reported that Stafford reduced his 2011 base salary from $9 million to $525,000, the minimum for players with two credited seasons, while Vanden Bosch cut his base salary from $4.5 million to $810,000, the minimum for players with seven to nine years of experience.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Lions stick with Stanton, even as Stafford tests shoulder

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Matthew Stafford is able to throw again, but Drew Stanton remains the Detroit Lions' starting quarterback.

Stafford threw a few 10-yard passes at the start of practice Wednesday, testing an injured right shoulder that has bothered him all season. Stafford has hurt the shoulder twice and has played only one full game this season.

With backup quarterback Shaun Hill also injured, Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Stanton will start for a second consecutive game when the team hosts the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Stanton went 16-of-24 passing for 178 yards and one touchdown in a loss to the Chicago Bears last weekend.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Stafford re-injures right shoulder in overtime loss to Jets

DETROIT -- Matthew Stafford's return to the lineup lasted less than two games.

The Detroit quarterback hurt his right shoulder again late in his team's 23-20 overtime loss to the New York Jets on Sunday.

With the Lions leading 20-10, Stafford was tackled trying to scramble deep in his own territory and landed on the shoulder. He separated the same shoulder in the season opener and missed the next five games, not returning until last week's win over Washington.

It's not clear how serious this latest injury is.

"He's very sore," coach Jim Schwartz said. "We took enough time with it that we thought that, any re-injury would be a new injury. We'll see where he is with that."

Stafford, the No. 1 pick in last year's draft, headed to the sideline with 5:19 to play Sunday and was replaced by Drew Stanton. Stafford threw for two touchdowns and ran for one before hurting himself.

"That was a tough situation because he had green grass in front of him and had his chance to break out of there and run," Schwartz said. "But some of those plays we just need to throw it away. We didn't want to throw incomplete passes in those situations. He ran it."

Backup Shaun Hill has been recovering from a broken arm suffered three weeks ago against the New York Giants, which is why Stanton was pressed into service as the game slipped away.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Lions QB Stafford ruled out vs. Rams; return date uncertain

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz said quarterback Matthew Stafford still isn't healthy enough to play.

Shaun Hill will start Sunday for the winless Lions at home against the St. Louis Rams.

Stafford hasn't played since he injured his right shoulder during the season-opening game at Chicago last month.

Schwartz said Stafford has begun to throw and his rehabilitation is on schedule. The team hasn't provided a timetable for Stafford's possible return.

Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft, has played in 11 games and will miss his 10th when he watches Detroit face St. Louis.

Hill has completed 60 percent of his passes for 991 yards and five touchdowns with seven interceptions in four games this season.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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