Dec 11, 2011; Nashville,TN, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end John Gilmore (89) rushes against Tennessee Titans linebacker Tim Shaw (59) during the second half at LP Field. New Orleans defeated Tennessee 22-17. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-US PRESSWIRE

Tim Shaw isn’t a sexy name on the free agent market but it is one that high school football fans in Michigan will certainly remember. He was a big turf-chewing, touchdown-scoring tailback and tough-nosed linebacker at Livonia Clarenceville and led some of the school’s best teams in the early 2000s, including an MHSAA Division 5 state runner-up finish in 2001.

Shaw was a 2007 fifth-round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers following his career at Penn State. He has also spent time with the Jaguars, Bears and most recently the Titans mostly on special teams where he has been the league’s third-leading tackler.

The Lions have made a practice of targeting players specifically for their abilities on special teams so it is no surprise that they have interest in Tim Shaw – he is scheduled to visit the Lions’ training facility next week. Ashlee Palmer and Isaiah Ekejiuba are now a free agents and Shaw is a guy that could fill one of their roster spots if he and the Lions can agree to a deal.

Shaw reportedly has a deal on the table with the Titans but the Lions offer a better opportunity from a team competitiveness standpoint and would bring Shaw closer to home.

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