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Erik Coleman | Defensive Back

Team: Unsigned Free Agent
Age / DOB:  (31) / 5/6/1982
Ht / Wt:  5'10' / 207
College: Washington State
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Lions S Erik Coleman (leg, ankle) says he was ready to return by Week 13 last season.
Coleman landed on I.R. in Week 6. "Erik has had an outstanding offseason, an outstanding minicamp, OTAs, everything else," coach Jim Schwartz said. Coleman will compete with Amari Spievey for Detroit's starting strong safety job. Sat, Jul 7, 2012 10:23:00 AM
Source: MLive.com

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Player News

Date:

According to Lions coach Jim Schwartz, S Erik Coleman had an "excellent spring."

Coleman is competing with Amari Spievey for the strong safety job after a leg injury limited him to four games in 2011. Coleman understands Spievey is the favorite. "Of course I would like to be the starter, but I also love playing special teams," Coleman said. "(I) want to win. So I'll do whatever it takes."
Sat, Jun 23, 2012 09:50:00 AM

Lions S Erik Coleman is pushing Amari Spievey for a starting job opposite of Louis Delmas.

Coleman missed most of the 2011 season due to a knee injury. Now 30 and eight pounds lighter, injuries to both Spievey and Delmas have allowed Coleman "a lot" of reps with the first-team defense. This competition figures to run well into August.
Sun, Jun 17, 2012 11:38:00 AM

Updating a previous item, Lions S Erik Coleman did not undergo offseason knee surgery.

It was an honest mistake by the Detroit News. Coleman did fracture his ankle in October, but that injury never required surgery. His health shouldn't be an issue going forward.
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 10:25:00 PM

Lions S Erik Coleman is "coming off knee surgery," according to the Detroit News.

This is the first we've heard of a knee procedure for Coleman. There's no word on the severity much less a timetable for recovery. We suspect it wasn't a serious surgery or the Lions wouldn't have re-signed Coleman a month ago.
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 09:23:00 AM

Lions agreed to terms with S Erik Coleman on a one-year contract.

Turning 30 in May, Coleman has just one start in the past two seasons. He'll provide insurance for Amari Spievey at strong safety. The signing may decrease the odds of the Lions signing free agent O.J. Atogwe after his upcoming visit.
Thu, Mar 15, 2012 09:04:00 PM

Free agent S Erik Coleman hopes to be back with the Lions in 2012.

Coleman was limited to four games this season after breaking his leg in Week 4. Coleman has made just one start since the end of the 2009 season, and won't be high on the Lions' or anyone else's to-do list this winter.
Sun, Jan 8, 2012 08:57:00 AM

Lions placed S Erik Coleman (ankle) on injured reserve, ending his season.

Coleman hurt his ankle while covering a kickoff against the Cowboys in Week 4. The special teamer's season ends with two tackles.
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 10:40:00 AM

Lions S Erik Coleman sprained his ankle in the third quarter of Sunday's win over the Cowboys and did not return.

Coleman went down while covering a kickoff. Although X-rays came back negative, the Lions seem to be fearing a high-ankle sprain. It's a concern with S Amari Spievey also suffering a hamstring injury in Sunday's victory.
Mon, Oct 3, 2011 12:13:00 PM

The Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett expects Erik Coleman to be the Lions' starting strong safety in 2011.

All three major Detroit newspapers are now on the record as believing Coleman, who was signed just before the lockout, will start over Amari Spievey. Coleman lost his job to William Moore in Atlanta last year, however, and there's a decent chance he will eventually lose it to Spievey in Detroit.
Mon, May 30, 2011 08:28:00 AM

MLive.com's Tom Kowalski seconds a recent Detroit News report that Erik Coleman will most likely be the Lions' starting strong safety this season.

He's set to compete with Amari Spievey for the job, but has an advantage over the 2010 third-round pick, who is being hampered by the lockout-marred offseason as he attempts to convert from cornerback to safety. Spievey's the long-term answer at the position for Detroit, but Coleman should get the majority of the snaps in 2011.
Source: MLive.com
Sat, May 21, 2011 12:25:00 PM

The Detroit News expects Erik Coleman to take over as the Lions' starting strong safety this season.

It won't be that cut-and-dried. Coleman will have to beat out holdover Amari Spievey. The 29-year-old does hold a veteran edge with Spievey still learning the nuances of the position after converting from cornerback.
Wed, May 18, 2011 10:08:00 AM

Coach Jim Schwartz confirmed that Eric Coleman was brought in to compete for Amari Spievey's starting strong safety job.

Coleman was a seven-year starter before losing his job to William Moore last season. He's a veteran insurance policy in case Spievey doesn't develop as quickly as the Lions hope.
Source: MLive.com
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 03:06:00 PM

Lions signed S Erik Coleman to a one-year contract.

Detroit played musical chairs at safety last season, but Coleman won't solve the team's back-end coverage woes or need for big plays. He hasn't picked off a pass since the 2008 season. Coleman will probably give SS Amari Spievey some competition in camp, and help on special teams after losing out.
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 01:59:00 PM

Falcons released S Erik Coleman.

They balked at his $3 million salary. Coleman turns 29 in May. He's long been a productive tackler, but hasn't intercepted a pass since the 2008 season and is a coverage liability. He'd make sense as a third safety elsewhere.
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 02:57:00 PM

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