After the Detroit Lions' special-teams unit surrendered two kick returns Friday against the Ravens that would have been touchdowns were it not for fortuitous penalties, Jim Schwartz pledged that the Lions' kick-coverage units would improve.
And if the current players on the roster couldn't do it, he'd find others who could.
Schwartz apparently meant it, reportedly signing veteran special-teams player and WR Kassim Osgood. Lions officials haven't confirmed the transaction or announced a corresponding roster move, but Osgood confirmed he was a Lion via his personal Twitter feed late Wednesday night.
Osgood was signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003, and he went on to make the Pro Bowl roster three times during his tenure in San Diego. He spent the last two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars before being released in March to save salary cap space. "It’s business,” he told Jacksonville.com after he was released. “When you get later in your years in the NFL, a lot of teams go younger. It’s part of the game."
Osgood's primary value to the Lions will be as a kick-coverage specialist. He made double-digit special-teams tackles during seven of his nine NFL seasons. He's a worthwhile signing in Detroit for the same reason he was released by the Jaguars -- his age. Detroit's coverage teams are athletic, but the units are comprised mainly of young players. If nothing else, Osgood's experience can help Detroit's younger players develop during camp.
Schwartz made it clear he wants improvement.
“We've got to find better players to be able to execute,” he said following the win over Baltimore. “You can do all the drills you want; if a guy can’t make the play, he can’t make the play. We got to find guys that can on the kickoff cover and the punt cover. We were poor in those areas. We got lucky because of a couple of penalties.”
Follow Lions reporter John Kreger on Twitter at @CBSSportsNFLDET and @JohnKreger.
