Lions sign Redding to multi-year deal

Allen Park, MI (Sports Network) - The Detroit Lions have re-signed defensive tackle Cory Redding to a multi-year contract.
Financial terms of the new pact were not released, but the Detroit Free Press cited sources as saying it to be a seven-year deal worth close to $50 million with about $16 million guaranteed.
The Lions had designated Redding their non-exclusive franchise player in February and had until Monday afternoon to reach a long-term deal. If not, Redding would have had to play the 2007 campaign under a one-year contract.
Redding will enter his fifth season with the Lions, who selected him in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He has played 55 consecutive games for the club, including 48 straight starts.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound product of the University of Texas was forced to move from defensive end to tackle last season because of various injuries on the line. It proved to be a positive development.
After playing five games at end, he started the next 11 games at under tackle and tied for the league high among defensive tackles with eight sacks. Redding entered the 2006 season with a total of four sacks for his career.
During his four-year career at Texas, Redding was a two-time All-Big 12 selection. He finished his collegiate career with 201 tackles, including 123 solo, with 21 sacks.