Posted on: Tuesday, March 1, 2005

Ex-Saint Louis star Raiola signs 5-year deal with Lions

Advertiser News Services

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions and Dominic Raiola agreed on a five-year contract, keeping the team's center off the free-agent market.

Terms of Raiola's deal were not announced, but the Detroit Free Press reported that the deal was believed to be worth $17.5 million, including a $4.6 million signing bonus.

Raiola started every game the past three seasons. The 26-year-old Honolulu native, who starred at St. Louis School, was drafted in the second round out of Nebraska.

The Lions also are looking at signing a veteran quarterback to back up Joey Harrington. They have interviewed Jeff Garcia, who was released Feb. 22 by Cleveland, and put him through physical tests at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.