The Detroit Lions’ OTA (organized team activity) session on Wednesday was open to the media. Here are five of the more interesting quotes from players and coach Jim Schwartz:

1. Matthew Stafford on going from 41st to 76th this year on the NFL Network’s top 100 NFL players list: “I don’t need that to motivate me, honestly. It’s not a big deal to me.’’

2. Reggie Bush on moving to Detroit from Miami: “I came here to work, I didn’t come here to vacation. I came here to win championships and win football games. And that’s what I look forward to doing.’’

3. Safety Glover Quin on what he sees from new teammates: “Oh yeah, definitely a chip on the shoulder. Guys are hungry, guys are ready to go, guys are working hard each and every day. That’s a good thing. Coming off a season like last year, this is where it starts.’’

4. Coach Jim Schwartz on absence of Louis Delmas from OTAs: “He’s not here right now, going through this stuff, but there’s nothing that he could get out of this because he can’t physically do the stuff that we’re doing right now.’’

5. Reggie Bush on his welcome by Lions’ fans: “The reception has been great so far, like you said, I had a steak named after me already. ... It’s been a really neat experience. The reception has been second to none and, like I said, I look forward to getting into that stadium as soon as possible.’’ (Follow @ReggieBush on Twitter. He has 2.8 million followers.)

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

ALLEN PARK — After Chicago's Brian Urlacher announced his retirement on Wednesday, the Lions had nothing but good things to say about the Bears’ long-time middle linebacker.

 — Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch said: “I played against him numerous times, I would clown around with him before and after the game. phenomenal player. You speak about a guy who came out of New Mexico as a safety and moved to middle linebacker and dominated the position for so many years. Eight-time Pro Bowler, 13-year pro, a guy I looked up to, a magnificent athlete. The game is definitely going to be different without him. ... He definitely made his mark in the NFL.’’

 —  Coach Jim Schwartz said: “A great player in the NFL. You know, he was a really good competitor. He was a guy that you respected from a coaching standpoint because of what he could do on the field. I know he was respected by players and among his peers. Different kind of linebacker, you know? There are not many guys who are 6-4 playing middle linebacker. It’s generally a position that shorter guys have had a lot more success, guys like Mike Singletary, who probably wasn’t six-feet tall, Ray Lewis about the same way. But Urlacher, in a lot of ways, changed the position. His range at the middle linebacker position, the speed that he played with, he was super fast. The guy played free safety in college, had a long career, was a turnover machine. You were always worried about him and where he was on the field, the turnovers he could create, the way he could change a game. He was good for the NFL. He was good for the game of football and it’s been a great career for him.”

  Urlacher’s knees started slowing him down in 2009. He could find no home as a free agent this offseason.

  He left the game quietly (like Lions left tackle Jeff Backus), issuing this statement: “I'm not sure I would bring a level of performance of passion that is up to my standards. When considering this, along with the fact I could retire after a 13-year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear. I will miss this great game, but I leave it with no regrets."

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

Here's a replay of today's live chat on the Lions who are in their first week of OTAs (organized team activities). We hit on all different topics from rookies to Reggie Bush to the coaching staff changes. Check it out. We'll do it again next Thursday at 3 p.m. Until then, Tweet me questions @PaulaPasche.

Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush have not played together as Detroit Lions yet, but the possibilities excite each of them.

The addition of Bush, who signed a four-year, $16 million deal as a free agent, was done mostly for the purpose of opening up the field for Johnson.

This has not been lost on the man better known as Megatron. He knows that having Bush line up on the Lions’ offense will force opposing defensive coordinators to pay attention.

“It’s going to force them to bring another man down, more than we had last year,’’ Johnson said on Monday. “You know, if you don’t, Reggie can make you look foolish in the open field.”

When Bush signed with the Lions in March, he said the Lions didn’t need to show him more than one film clip of how defenses line up when they have to keep an eye on Johnson.

After he signed, Bush said: “It’s a running back’s dream. It’s the first thing we talked about when we’re watching film and to see those safeties deep and to see the safeties rolling over, double-coveraging Calvin Johnson, it’s a running back’s dream.

“We have to be able to run the ball in the situation and that’s one of the reasons I wanted to come here to be able to bring a balanced attack and help take some of the pressure off Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford and just complement them. I think it’s going to work out well.’’

The two will practice together as OTAs start on Tuesday. They’ll get a better feel for the offense during mandatory minicamp June 11-13.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

  

  

Calvin Johnson said on Monday that he is praying for Titus Young who is jailed in California after a number of recent arrests.

“It’s very tough. We were talking earlier, man, it’s just one of those things that we pray that he can get his off the field situation straight so then he can move forward with his life,’’ Johnson said.

Young was drafted in the second round of the 2011 draft. Even though Johnson is the NFL’s top receiver, Young could never seem comfortable in the role of No. 2.

The wide receiver became a distraction last season and was released by the Lions on Feb. 4.

“I mean, you can never foresee things like this,’’ Johnson said. “We just wish him the best, man. It’s unfortunate what he’s going through, but we’re praying for him.”

The Lions start OTAs (organized team activities) on Tuesday. They have several wide receivers on the roster and a wide-open opportunity with Young gone.

 “The big thing is when we get on the field. I know we have a little bit, but we have a lot of new guys,’’ Johnson said. “Guys have done some things in the offseason to better themselves, so I’m looking forward to seeing how we look when we get on the field tomorrow.”

Johnson also confirmed on Monday that he played last season with broken fingers.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

Like 28 other NFL teams, the Detroit Lions will have OTAs (organized team activities) this week. The first session is on Tuesday.

No contact, no one-on-one drills and also no blocking, tackling, pass-rushing and bump-and-run situations. That’s all in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

They will be allowed 11-on-11 drills which will give us an initial idea of where some players might line up.

 It’s not like training camp where the competition will be hot at a handful of positions. It is a start, though.

Here are five things to look for at OTAs:

1. Will be interesting to see top draft pick Ziggy Ansah line up against veterans. Expect to see him at right defensive end. He looked really quick off the end in rookie minicamp. Let’s see if that sticks against Riley Reiff.

2. Even  though one-on-one drills matching defensive backs against wide receivers aren’t allowed, will get our first look at safety Glover Quin who signed as a free agent and should play opposite Louis Delmas. Not sure if we’ll see second-round pick cornerback Darius Slay. He had minor knee surgery a few weeks ago. He’ll be back sooner rather than later, but this might be a little too soon.

3. Of course, it’s early but we’ll get a look at whether Corey Hilliard or Jason Fox lines up at right tackle with the starters. It does not mean that guy will be the right tackle in September, but it’s a starting point.

4. Also will get a first look at the competition at wide receiver. Other than Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson and Ryan Broyles (when he gets healthy) there are no absolutes to make the team. Should be great competition.

5. Reggie Bush in a Lions’ uniform. No doubt he seems excited to get going. Expect it will seem a little different seeing him in Honolulu blue and silver even though we’ve had two months to get used to the idea.

 (Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

  

One thing is for certain the Detroit Lions wlll be looking for a player or players to win the kick returner and punt returner positions in training camp and preseason games. Stefan Logan was not re-signed.

  Here are five of the top candidates in no particular order:

— Running back Joique Bell returned two kicks last season for a total of 54 yards. But he fumbled one of those returns. He only fumbled once on 82 carries, so he’s mostly sure-handed. He’ll definitely get a look.

— Wide receiver Mike Thomas, who arrived from Jacksonville via trade mid-season in 2012, returned kicks and punts for the Jaguars. To make the roster he’s likely going to have to contribute on special teams.

— Rookie running back Steven MIller tried to make the most of his chances at becoming a returner during rookie minicamp. He’s speedy, small (5-foot-7, 172 pounds), slippery and eager.

— Wide receiver Patrick Edwards did return kicks and punts at the University of Houston. Like Miller, he’s got the speed. Edwards’ problem in 2012 was staying healthy enough to be on the practice field every day. If he can stay healthy he should be in the running. (Shown in photo by Oakland Press photographer Vaughn Gurganian.)

— Rookie Theo Riddick  was the primary kick returner for Notre Dame as a freshman. It’s likely one of the reasons the Lions grabbed him in the sixth round. He didn’t participate in return drills at rookie minicamp but coach Jim Schwartz said not to read anything into that.

  Others could contribute also. Reggie Bush said he's game, but he hasn't returned punts since he was with the New Orleans Saints. Ryan Broyles was drafted to use in the return game, but for the second straight training camp he will be coming off ACL surgery.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

Special teams play for the Lions will have a completely new look for the 2013 season. Here are the five major special teams changes:

1. John Bonamego has been hired to replace Danny Crossman as special teams coordinator. Bonamego is a veteran with stops along the way at Green Bay, Jacksonville, New Orleans and Miami. He was with the Jaguars last season. New eyes, new ideas. Not a bad thing.

2. Jason Hanson retired after 21 seasons of being Mr. Dependable. There are fans who have never seen another placekicker on the field for the Lions. Veteran David Akers was signed to replace Hanson. He is coming off a lousy season in San Francisco, but could be a good replacement. Hanson wasn’t asked about Akers, but he offered his opinion that it was a good signing. We will see.

3. Kickalicious to the rescue. After signing Akers, the Lions signed Norwegian Havard Rugland, who is also known as Kickalicious because of a four-minute YouTube video displaying all his trick kicks. He’s never played football. At the rookie minicamp, he wore a helmet for the first time. Will be interesting to watch. Will the Lions keep him on for kickoffs only? Time will tell. Also another reason he was signed is that like Akers he is a lefty, which will make it easier for the holder.

4. Punting was a disaster last season. After Ben Graham was injured the Lions brought back Nick Harris who is a great guy but lacks the leg strength he used to have. They drafted Sam Martin in the fifth round and signed free agent punter Blake Clingan. They’ll battle it out in camp. Whoever wins will be another new face on the special teams roster.

5. Rumors of re-signing Kassim Osgood, a special teams specialist were out there. But it has not happened. He would be a huge loss. He excelled on all the units. He hasn’t signed anywhere else so maybe there’s a chance he’ll return. Keep up with him on Twitter @KassimOsgood81. 

 (Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

Here's a replay of my weekly live chat discussing news and views about the Detroit Lions as they gear up for OTAs (organized team activities) next week. Check it out ...

Calvin Johnson was the only member of the Detroit Lions to make Sports Illustrated’s Fortunate 50 — a list of the 50 highest paid players in the United States that was released Wednesday.

Johnson, who broke the single season receiving yards record in 2012, signed a deal in March 2012 that paid him $21,750,000 last season. He also earned $850,000 in endorsements to bring his total to $22,600,000.  

Six NFL players ranked ahead of Johnson who wasn’t ranked last year.

Drew Brees ranks third with total earnings of $47,800,00, Denver’s Peyton Manning comes in at No. 8 with $31 million in earnings; Tampa Bay’s Vincent Jackson ranks 15th with $25,360,000; Buffalo’s Mario Williams comes in at 18th with $25,150,000; Tampa Bay’s Carl Nicks at 21st with $24,285,000 (no endorsements); Houston’s Matt Schaub at 27th with $22,780,000 total.

For the NFL players, the season that ended in February was used for the calculations.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., ranks first with $90 million in earnings which includes no endorsement money. Tiger Woods had been first a year ago and was knocked down to fifth.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)