At this point two years ago, cornerback Chris Houston was heading to free agency with a possible big payday with either the Detroit Lions or another franchise.
He chose to stick with the Lions, though, and they rewarded him with a five-year, $25 million contract heading into the 2013 season. A year later, though, the Lions released him with an injury settlement after he suffered a toe injury that never really got better.
Why mention this now? A couple of reasons. First, it's a quick reminder that even decent free-agent deals can turn sour quickly and nothing is a ironclad guarantee. Second is that while Ndamukong Suh's dead money for 2015 ($9.7 million) is catching a lot of attention, Houston is also on the books in Detroit for a decent amount of 2015 cap room at $3.9 million even though he has not played for the Lions in a year.
So what happened to Houston? He didn't play football for any NFL team in 2014 but his agent, Jonathan Feinsod, told ESPN.com this week that Houston has been training in Arizona and is planning on playing in 2015. So the 30-year-old who was the No. 41 pick of the 2007 draft by Atlanta is not retiring yet.
Houston has played in 99 games, making 376 tackles with 13 interceptions.
And now, a look around the Interwebs in search of Lions news:
Former Lions receiver Titus Young has a trial date set from his July 2014 arrest. After some questions, Stephen Tulloch is returning to the Lions in 2015. Meet the Lions free agents -- cornerback Josh Thomas and cornerback Cassius Vaughn. Indiana running back Tevin Coleman visited the Lions on Thursday and here's a scouting report. One man's opinion of what the Lions should do in free agency.
What are the odds of each Lions free agent returning? Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press ponders.
The Lions need to have Ndamukong Suh contingency plans, writes John Niyo of the Detroit News.
Justin Rogers of MLive has three alternative ways for the Lions to use their cap room if Suh ends up somewhere else.