Matt Lentz is returning to home turf.
The 2001 Brandon High School graduate and former University of Michigan offensive lineman was signed by the Detroit Lions on April 7 as an unrestricted free agent.
‘I’m very happy,? said Lentz, a 6-foot, 6-inch 320-pound guard. ‘It feels pretty good to be a Lion, being born and raised in Michigan? it’s hometown pride.?
Lentz will attend a minicamp with the Lions next weekend, another in late June, and will have practices in between before starting training camp in July. He hopes to make the final cut for the team in September.
Lentz was considering returning to school to find a second career when his agent called Monday to tell him the Lions wanted to sign him. He wanted a backup plan to support his family, which besides wife Tricia now includes their son Avery, born Nov. 1.
Lentz began his NFL career with the New York Giants, who signed him as a free agent in April 2006. During his first season, he suffered an elbow injury. He made a full recovery, but was cut by the Giants a second time in October 2007. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Lentz in December 2007, but released him last August.
He had a workout with the Detroit Lions shortly afterward, but was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 26. Tampa Bay cut him at the end of this season, but the Tampa Bay assistant line coach, George Yarno, also left the Bucs and is now the head line coach for the Lions. Lentz believes that is a major reason why the Lions signed him.
‘He (Yarno) knew my work ethic, saw that I made the most of the opportunity at Tampa and he liked that,? said Lentz, who plans to announce his signing to his family, including his parents and siblings, on Easter.
Although the Lions were 0-16 last season, Lentz hopes to help them change their winless ways.
‘I will offer them hard work and dedication,? he said. ‘I will go in and try to make a difference. I’ll do what they ask and what they expect of me. I just want to contribute. Them signing me means I have a foot in the door.?