National Football League

AP source: Lions, Coleman agree to terms

Published Feb. 18, 2011 10:04 p.m. ET

foxsports

A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press safety Erik Coleman and the Detroit Lions have agreed to a contract.

The person, who spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced, did not specify the length of the deal.

Coleman has played seven seasons in the NFL, the last three with the Atlanta Falcons. He started every game in 2008 and 2009, but he lost his starting job last season and was released by Atlanta earlier this month.

Coleman was a fifth-round draft choice of the New York Jets in 2004 and had a career-high four interceptions as a rookie. He had three interceptions in 2008, his first season with the Falcons.