Feb. 25, 2011
INDIANAPOLIS -- Injuries and opportunities that struck the Lions' roster last season could have an impact on the future of Jason Hanson and Drew Stanton.
Stanton's stock has risen in the eyes of general manager Martin Mayhew, based on the quarterback's ability to win two games as an emergency starter late in the season.
"We plan on having him this year and see if he continues to improve," Mayhew said Friday morning in an interview session with the Detroit media at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"There's one way to find out. That's to have him another year and see how he does."
The rules regarding free agency, and the number of years required for players to qualify as restricted or unrestricted free agents, will have some impact on whether Stanton returns to the Lions.
Hanson's future is in doubt because of a sprained MCL in his right (kicking) knee that caused him to miss the last eight games, coupled with Dave Rayner's performance as his replacement. Age also is a consideration for Hanson, who turns 41 in June.
Stanton and Rayner both played at Michigan State.
Hanson has had no decline in performance. The 2010 season was his 19th, all as a Lion, and he made 12 of 14 field-goal attempts before getting hurt.
"The big thing with that whole discussion with Jason Hanson is physical," Mayhew said. "Right now, we don't have an answer for that. By the time we get to this summer, we'll know exactly where he is and how he's feeling and what he's able to do.
"We've got a good evaluation on both of those guys. We'll see how it plays out."
Hanson has been injured the last two years. He needed surgery on his right knee in training camp of 2009 but did not miss any regular-season games. He ended the 2010 season on injured reserve when his knee did not fully heal.
Rayner, who'd spent parts of four previous seasons with five NFL teams, made the most of his opportunity after being signed to replace Hanson for the last eight games.
Rayner made 13 of 16 field-goal attempts and was outstanding in the clutch. In the Lions' overtime win at Tampa, he tied the game with a field goal on the last play of regulation and won it with a 34-yard kick in overtime.
In a 34-27 win at Miami in the next game, Rayner's 47-yard field goal tied the score at 27-27 with 2:44 left. DeAndre Levy's interception return for a touchdown won the game.
Rayner and Stanton both qualify as fifth-year players and are restricted free agents under the rules currently in place.
The Lions can tender rights to restricted free agents and retain their rights by matching any offer.
Before last year, it took only four years to qualify as an unrestricted free agent.
The rules could change back to four years for unrestricted players, depending on negotiations between the owners and players on a new collective bargaining agreement.
Stanton showed dramatic improvement late last season and led the Lions to wins over Green Bay and Tampa Bay. He was the No. 3 quarterback and started after Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill went out with injuries.
"He's the kind of guy where, every year has sort of been different," Mayhew said. "I thought he made some drastic improvement over the second half of the season."
