Hanson Will Remain a Lion

Lions GM Martin Mayhew spoke with the media today and made it clear that the team intends to keep unrestricted free agent kicker Jason Hanson.

Hanson, 38, has spent his entire 17 year career in Detroit. One of the few consistently good players on Detroit's roster, he was 21-of-22 on field-goal attempts last season, including an NFL-record eight 50-yarders.

"I think we'll get something done prior to that," Mayhew said. "If we don't, we'll franchise Jason. ... It's Jason Hanson, and we appreciate everything he's done for us. And we're trying to work out a long-term deal with him."