The Lions confirmed Thursday they have released linebacker Alex Lewis, a five-year veteran, ridding themselves of another Matt Millen pick.

Made expendable with the offseason trade for Julian Peterson, Lewis was due to make $1 million this coming season, a hefty price for a special teamer. The 5-foot-11, 237-pounder led the team in special teams tackles each of the past two seasons, but was unable to fulfill Millen's hopes that he could hold down the starting strong-side linebacker spot after the departure of oft-injured Boss Bailey and Teddy Lehman in the 2008 offseason. A starter just five times in his first four seasons, Lewis started just four games in 2008, and finished the year on injured reserve.

Despite his less-than-stellar resume, Lewis still may go down as one of Millen's rare late-round "finds." His competition for the distinction of the best in that category can be boiled down to:

• Scotty Anderson, WR (5th round-a, 2001): 34 career games, 54 receptions; out of football.
• Mike McMahon, QB (5th round-b, 2001): 14 career starts (7 with Philadelphia in 2005), 2,867 yards, 15 TD, 21 INT, 55.1 rating; out of football.
• Terrence Holt, S (5th round-a, 2003): 43 career starts, 189 tackles, 8 INT; played out just one season of a five-year, $15 million deal with the Cardinals after leaving the Lions.
• James "Dirty" Davis, LB (5th round-b, 2003): 55 games, 198 career tackles; out of football.
• David "Circus" Kircus, WR (6th round, 2003): 28 games, 15 receptions; out of football.
• Dan Orlovsky, QB (5th round, 2005): 7 starts, 1,679 yards, 8 TD, 8 INT, 71.3 passer rating; currently a backup with Houston.