Another day, another bargain for the Detroit Lions and Brad Holmes.
Per the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Lions have landed safety Christian Izien on a one-year deal. While the exact terms are unknown at the time of this story's publication, it's likely the number isn't going to blow anyone's minds. This is Holmes we're talking about, and he's not intent on spending a bag on defensive talent at this point in time.
That's not necessarily a bad thing in this case. Izien, who has been a very solid backup for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the last three years, is basically a prototypical replacement for Amik Robertson on the Lions' depth chart. While undersized, he's a ballhawk and a solid tackler, having racked up 165 over his three seasons in Florida.
Basically, he's the exact sort of player that Holmes loves to sign: a lesser-known backup who has the ability to step up when asked, and someone who can fit the Legion of Whom bill quite perfectly if everything works out.
Holmes makes another very typical signing for DB help
With this signing, the Lions' depth chart at safety is looking like this:
Brian Branch (Achilles)
Kerby Joseph (Knee)
Dan Jackson (Leg)
Christian Izien
Thomas Harper
Loren Strickland
Lots of parentheses in a group that used to be one of the most fearsome in the NFL. With the status of Branch up in the air, it's fair to wonder whether Izien is just a depth signing, or if he'll be starting in Week 1 because of Branch's timeline for recovering from his torn Achilles.
And, if that's the case, that's a bit nerve-wracking. Izien is an experienced defender who has continued to find ways to make a roster despite being an undrafted player. That proves some sort of mettle. But, you'd think that a team like the Lions, given their contention window and absolute need to improve their DB room following Robertson's departure, would be a little more worried about adding a starter here.
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Maybe the plan is to take a safety a lot earlier than anticipated, to which we say, that's even more risky than just not finding a starting safety talent on the free agent market. And, with that market extremely thin just one week through free agency opening, it feels like that might be their only remaining option.
It's either that, or Izien becomes even greater with the Lions than he ever was with the Buccaneers. It's totally within the realm of possibility. But, we're growing just a bit tired of speaking in hypotheticals, and in hopes.