Reggie Bush has watched film of the Lions, and he has seen the opposing safeties playing deep and paying extra attention to Calvin Johnson.
''It's a running back's dream,'' Bush said. ''We have to be able to run the ball in that situation. One of the reasons I wanted to come here is to be able to bring a balanced attack.''
Bush was introduced Wednesday, part of a big day for the Lions, who also landed free agents Glover Quin and Jason Jones and retained Chris Houston. Those moves should help the defense, and the Lions are hoping Bush can give a boost to an offense that already includes Johnson and quarterback Matthew Stafford.
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The Lions, who did not disclose terms of Bush's contract, also agreed to deals with Quin, a safety, Jones, a defensive end, and Houston, a cornerback. Quin said his deal is for five years.
Bush certainly adds more speed to Detroit's backfield, which already includes 233-pound running back Mikel Leshoure. Bush rushed for 986 yards for Miami last season after a 1,086-yard output for the Dolphins in 2011.
Detroit went 4-12 in 2012 despite Johnson's record-setting season at wide receiver. The running game was never consistent — the Lions had only four runs of 20 or more yards, which tied them for the fewest in the league.
''The thing that was important to us was not just the talent of Reggie Bush, but also the way those talents complemented the other players we have on offense,'' coach Jim Schwartz said.
Detroit lacked a big-play running back because Jahvid Best, a first-round draft pick in 2010, didn't play at all last season. His future is in doubt because of concussion problems.
The Lions did lose defensive end Cliff Avril, who signed with the Seahawks.
Goldson off to Tampa
All-Pro safety Dashon Goldson signed a five-year contract worth $41.25 million with the Buccaneers. He receives $8.25 million per year and $22 million in guaranteed money. He spent the past two seasons on one-year contracts with the 49ers, including last year with the franchise tag for $6.2 million . . . According to an ESPN report, the Cardinals have signed return specialist Joshua Cribbs, formerly of the Browns . . . ESPN also reported the Broncos have signed former Eagles cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and the Colts signed ex-Jets safety LaRon Landry . . . The Cowboys cut defensive tackle Marcus Spears, saving them $2 million against the salary cap . . . The Browns signed linebacker Quentin Groves, who was previously with the Cardinals . . . New coach Andy Reid continued to overhaul the Chiefs roster, signing free agents Dunta Robinson (cornerback), Donnie Avery (receiver), and Bryan Mattison (offensive lineman) . . . The Steelers released oft-injured offensive lineman Willie Colon . . . The Giants signed veteran place kicker Josh Brown.
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Ravens jettison Pollard
Strong safety Bernard Pollard has been released by the Ravens, the latest move driven by the Super Bowl champion's offseason salary cap purge. Pollard, 28, signed a three-year extension last season, but his release saves the Ravens an estimated $1 million. Pollard is best remembered for his hit on Tom Brady in Week 1 of 2008, which resulted in Brady missing the season. His hit on Patriots' Stevan Ridley in the 2013 AFC Championship game resulted in a concussion for Ridley . . . The Cardinals, in dire need of help in the backfield, agreed on a one-year contract with former Steelers starter Rashard Mendenhall. For three of his seasons, Mendenhall's offensive coordinator was new Arizona coach Bruce Arians. The Cardinals also cut free safety Kerry Rhodes, a move that cleared $6 million in salary cap space, and added cornerback Jerraud Powers, safety Yeremiah Bell, linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, and QB Drew Stanton . . . The Jaguars released receiver Laurent Robinson, who signed a five-year, $32.5 million free agent contract last season before missing considerable time with concussions.
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Welcome to Miami
The Dolphins added to their defense by giving Philip Wheeler a five-year contract, worth $26 million, half of that guaranteed. He played last season for the Raiders, where he had a career high 109 tackles. Miami also released linebackers Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett . . . Buffalo signed veteran linebacker Manny Lawson . . . Minnesota re-signed LB Erin Henderson and WR Jerome Simpson.