Lions make final offer to Eddie Drummond

ALLEN PARK, Mich., June 22 (UPI) -- The Detroit Lions Wednesday stuck to their original contract offer to kick return specialist Eddie Drummond.

The restricted free agent had declined an earlier offer, which allowed the team to make a lower offer, Detroit's Web site said.

Once designated as a restricted free agent when the NFL's free agency period began, Drummond had the opportunity to seek opportunities with other clubs, with compensation coming to the Lions if he signed an offer sheet. No terms were disclosed.

June 15 was the deadline for Drummond to sign the offer, and if he had not, the team could reduce it as low as the minimum salary level.

"That was very unusual in my experience," said COO Tom Lewand. "And certainly, we could have increased our leverage had we reduced the tender. But at some point in time, it becomes about the player and the team, not about the agent or the contract negotiator."