Lions’ Stafford injures right knee in fourth quarter against Bears

May 12th, 2009 Bears agree with TE GainesLAKE FOREST, Ill. — Tight end Michael Gaines and the Chicago Bears agreed Monday on a one-year contract.

May 5th, 2009 Yao Ming hurts knee in fourth quarterLOS ANGELES — Houston Rockets center Yao Ming hurt his right knee Monday night when he collided with Kobe Bryant in the fourth quarter of Monday night's Western Conference semifinal opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant drove on Yao in the key and the two collided, with Yao falling to the floor.

May 1st, 2009 QB Stafford, No. 1 pick in draft, has 1st practiceALLEN PARK, Mich.

April 26th, 2009 Bears trade 2nd-round pick to SeattleLAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears traded away their second-round pick in the NFL draft, leaving them without a selection on Saturday.

April 25th, 2009 Lions pick QB Stafford overall No. 1 in NFL draftNEW YORK — One of the biggest rebuilding jobs in NFL history has its centerpiece.

April 25th, 2009 Stafford picked first by LionsNEW YORK — One of the biggest rebuilding jobs in NFL history has its centerpiece. Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford was drafted first overall Saturday by the Detroit Lions, the only team to ever go 0-16 in a season.

April 25th, 2009 Here comes the losingNEW YORK — If there are two things the likely top selections in the NFL draft have in common, they are winning and losing. Most have been winners throughout their football careers.

April 25th, 2009 Lions sign Matthew Stafford to 6-year dealDETROIT — The Detroit Lions hope Matthew Stafford ends their decades-long search for a star quarterback. The Lions on Saturday announced they signed Stafford to a six-year contract.

April 25th, 2009 Lions start rebuilding project with QB StaffordALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions became the NFL's first 0-16 team last season in large part because their defense was one of the worst in league history.

April 25th, 2009 AP source: Lions and Stafford agree on 6-year dealDETROIT — Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions agreed on a six-year deal Friday night, a person familiar with talks told The Associated Press. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because there hadn't been an announcement, said the Lions will pay Stafford $41.7 million in guarantees and as much as $78 million.

April 25th, 2009 Agents: Lions, Stafford agree to 6-year dealDETROIT — Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions agreed on a six-year deal Friday night, his agents told The Associated Press. Tom Condon and Ben Dogra, who both represent Stafford, said the Lions will pay Stafford $41.7 million in guarantees and as much as $78 million.

April 25th, 2009 Agents: Lions and Stafford agree on 6-year dealDETROIT — The Detroit Lions hope Matthew Stafford ends their decades-long search for a star quarterback. Stafford and the Lions agreed on a six-year contract, agent Tom Condon told The Associated Press on Friday night.

April 25th, 2009 Lions sign QB Matthew Stafford to 6-year dealDETROIT — The Detroit Lions are counting on Matthew Stafford to end their decades-long search for a star quarterback. The Lions signed Stafford to a six-year contract, with $41.7 million in guarantees and $78 million in maximum value, on Saturday before formally taking him with the No.

April 25th, 2009 QB Stafford picked first by LionsNEW YORK — Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford has been selected first overall in the NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. The junior already has agreed to a six-year deal with $41.7 million in guarantees and a maximum value of $78 million, even though he is not expected to start as a rookie.

April 21st, 2009 Lions expect deal with top pick before draft dayALLEN PARK, Mich. — Lions general manager Martin Mayhew says the chances are very good Detroit will have a deal done with the No.