ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- General manager Martin Mayhew didn’t waste any time making good on the intention he expressed Monday night to re-sign middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch.
"We're very hopeful we can reach an agreement with him sometime soon, and we're going to continue to purse Stephen and try to get him signed," Mayhew was quoted as saying at a town hall meeting of Lions season-ticket holders Monday. "I plan on talking with his agent tonight or tomorrow, and we'll keep trying to get that done."
Less than 24 hours later, it was mission accomplished.
Tulloch agreed to terms on a five-year contract Tuesday afternoon, according to published reports. There was no immediate announcement from the Lions, as they have a policy of not making announcements until the contract has been signed.
Said Tulloch on his Twitter account: "I want to thank all of the Detroit Lion fans for sticking with me through this process. This is a special team and I'm glad to be apart of it."
The Lions signed two other defensive players Tuesday. Jacob Lacey, a free-agent cornerback from the Colts, signed a one-year contract. Andre Fluellen, a backup at tackle and end for four seasons with the Lions, was re-signed to a one-year deal.
Signing Tulloch was the biggest move because it allowed the Lions to keep the services of a player who was a key to their defensive improvement in 2011. Tulloch signed a one-year contract with the Lions after five seasons with the Tennessee Titans and made an immediate impact with his leadership and production.
Tulloch led the Lions with 111 tackles. He also had three sacks, two interceptions, five pass breakups and three fumble recoveries.
Lacey, 24, started 27 games with the Colts the past three seasons. In 15 starts last year, he had 72 tackles and one interception.
Lacey will compete to fill the vacancy created by the loss of starting cornerback Eric Wright to free-agency. Wright signed a five-year contract with Tampa Bay after one so-so season with the Lions.
Fluellen has been mostly a reserve since the Lions drafted him on the third round in 2008.
