In a smart move the NFL owners voted Wednesday to change the overtime rules for the regular season.

Now the team that loses the coin toss going into overtime will be guaranteed a possession as long as the team that won the toss doesn’t score a touchdown on its first possession.

It’s the same rule that had been adopted last during the 2010 offseason for the postseason. It totally makes sense.

And it calls to mind one of the most bone-headed plays in Lions’ history (and there are a few). It was nearly 10 years ago when Marty Mornhinweg “took the wind,’’ gave the Bears the ball on the first possession of overtime. They scored on a field goal, the Lions lost and Marty was soon fired.

That exact scenario could not happen now due to the new ruling and the fact that Jim Schwartz would never make such a call.

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The NFL draft is only a month away.

Last year the Lions had five picks in the draft, this year they’re up to seven.

They lost their sixth-round pick because of the tampering case with Kansas City. It was initially a seventh-round pick, but because Lions were in the playoffs it became a sixth-round pick.

Also they Lions gained a seventh-round pick in a trade deal involving Seattle and Tyler Polumbus in 2010.

Here’s the order with overall picks in parentheses — First (23rd), second (54th), third (85th), fourth (117th), fifth (158th), seventh (219 fr/ Seattle) and seventh (230).

Seventh-rounders can be huge. DE Willie Young was a seventh-round pick in 2010. The year before the Lions grabbed LB Zack Follett in the final round.

Last year OL Johnny Culbreath was picked up in the seventh. He was hampered with injuries last season, so the jury is still out.

The three-day NFL draft runs April 26 through April 28.

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Do the Lions have doubts about the health of running backs Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure?

Maybe, maybe not.

But on Tuesday they found some insurance in the name of Kevin Smith. The 25-year-old running back has signed a one-year deal, per the team’s web site.

The Lions have been optimistic that they will get the Best and Leshoure back. If so, Smith would likely be third on the depth chart.

Best played in the first half-dozen games in 2011, then missed the rest of the season with a concussion. When the season was over there seemed to be no question in his mind he would be ready to play in 2012. He was totally optimistic when he talked to reporters.

Leshoure, a second-round draft pick, missed his entire rookie season after tearing an Achilles’ tendon during training camp. After Stephen Tulloch signed last week, he noted he had seen Leshoure working out — actually running. Obviously a good sign.

Smith seemed like a changed young man when he signed with the Lions on Nov. 7 to help fill the void left by injuries. Perhaps that’s why they re-signed him.

Smith played in seven of the Lions’ last eight games last season, missing one with an ankle injury. He had 72 carries for 356 yards and four rushing touchdowns. He also had 22 catches for 179 yards and three receiving touchdowns.

Smith also started in the playoff game (six carries, 21 yards, two receptions, 20 yards).

The Lions hadn’t re-signed him following the 2010 season. No other team had come calling either, but he kept working out hoping for the phone to ring. He came back hungry and humbled.

Smith was a third-round (64th overall) pick by the Lions in the 2008 NFL Draft.

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What a week for Drew Stanton. First the 27-year-old quarterback signs as free agent with Jets who reportedly promise him the No. 2 position behind Mark Sanchez along with a $500,000 signing bonus. Then the Jets acquire Tim Tebow and declare him the No. 2 guy.

It was all resolved (we think) today when the Jets traded Stanton, the Lions’ No. 3 quarterback the past two seasons, to the Indianapolis Colts.

Stanton will back up Andrew Luck who will be the first overall pick in the draft by the Colts (we think). While Stanton isn’t all that experienced on the field (he played a dozen games with the Lions), he’s been around meeting rooms, he’s watched film and been on the sidelines through good and bad.

Stanton should be a good influence on Luck and will perhaps get a chance to play.

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It is not the first time that Lions GM Martin Mayhew has taken a chance on a defensive end who had not lived up to expectations.

The Lions announced on Thursday that they had signed defensive end Everette Brown who had been waived by the San Diego Chargers on March 13.

The 24-year-old Brown, who played for Mayhew’s alma mater Florida State, was a second-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2009. He played in 28 total games (with just six sacks) in his first two seasons with the Panthers before they waived him on Sept. 4, 2011. He signed on Nov. 1 with the Chargers and played in three games.

Prior to the 2009 draft he was considered possible first-round material as a rush linebacker. Brown is 6-foot-1 and 256 pounds.

During the 2010 training camp, Mayhew made a trade for DE Lawrence Jackson, a former first-round pick who just didn’t fit in with the Seahawks. It turned out to be a smart move. The 26-year-old Jackson, while not a starter, sees plenty of playing time rotating in for Kyle Vanden Bosch.

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Cleaning out the notebook following the Stephen Tulloch press conference on Thursday:

— Tulloch totally cracked up the media when he was talking about getting news that the contract was done while driving to his workout in Miami with Louis Delmas in the car. He was asked what Delmas’ reaction was and he said: “You and I know we can’t understand Delmas, I just nodded my head and said thank you thank you. I love working out with Delmas he gives me something to smile about every day.’’ Delmas talks at such a high volume and so fast that it’s often difficult to understand him, apparently it’s not just a media thing.

— Tulloch mentioned that he had seen RB Mikel Leshoure at the Lions’ facility working out which included running. Leshoure missed all of last season after tearing an Achilles’ during training camp. The Lions have been saying he’s coming along, this was first substantiation from a player.

— After signing the five-year deal, Tulloch didn’t have any plans on spending some of that money. “I’ve never been a splurge kind of guy, I live a simple life. I’m good. I’m not that guy. I just live life and enjoy life, do what I have to do and enjoy football,’’ Tulloch said.

— Tulloch credited his mother Mercedes, who was in attendance, with his community involvement. He said growing up with a single mother they didn’t have a lot of money, she worked hard, but always tried to give back a little.

— Linebackers as a group were slow to sign as free agents in the past week. Tulloch said he was just trying to get a deal that was good for himself. “I wasn’t waiting for anybody else to make a move. I knew what I was comfortable with and I can move forward from there,’’ Tulloch said.

See complete story on Tulloch with video at TheOaklandPress.com.

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So I asked a simple question on Twitter: Who’s a better NFL QB, Drew Stanton or Tim Tebow?

After Tebow's trade from the Broncos to the Jets today, both are on the Jets roster, along with presumed starter Mark Sanchez and second-year QB Greg McElroy.

Here are a few of the replies. It’s quite obvious what fans think. Of course there may be some bias since Stanton is a local guy and played five years for Lions.

Read away:

@dsutherland — Drew Stanton is better than Tebow and Sanchez.

@JorEl16 — Stanton by a country mile.

@THouseofSpears — Well .. one of 'em isn't even an NFL quarterback so it really isn't a question.

@6Belad11d — Stanton, by a mile, at least he can run a pro style offense, Tebow is just a gimmick

@sevans1956 — Drew is the better QB, Tebow the better player ... a winner.

@naterhein — Stanton can at least throw the ball.

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So Tim Tebow to the Jets. Guess it’s not surprising because the Jets must want some Tebowmania publicity since their neighbors the Giants won the Super Bowl last month.

Just weird, though.

The Jets added Drew Stanton, who spent his first five seasons with the Lions, last week. He was expected to be the No. 2 quarterback behind Mark Sanchez with Greg McElroy at three.

So with the addition of Tebow what does this mean for Stanton? Heck, Sanchez can’t be too thrilled either. After all, as a Broncos’ starter last year Tebow engineered a fourth-quarter comeback to beat the Jets.

Well, if they say Tebow will play only in special package situations, it could be status quo for Stanton. If Tebow comes in at No. 2, then that pushes Stanton down to No. 3. Surely this has to be a disappointment.

Stanton proved himself with the Lions in 2010 when Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill were injured. He went to the Jets as the No. 2 when if he stayed with Lions, again he would have been No. 3.

Will be curious to see how it all turns out though for all four quarterbacks they now have on the roster.

Is it curtains for McElroy, a 2011 seventh-round pick out of Alabama?

Very curious, for sure.

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Word leaked out late Saturday night that the Lions had re-signed two key players. Kind of fitting that neither one of them is a spotlight grabber.

Left tackle Jeff Backus will return for his 12th season after signing a two-year deal worth $10 million according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

After losing Drew Stanton, who signed with the New York Jets on Friday, the Lions needed Shaun Hill back and they got him. The veteran quarterback also signed a two-year contract .

Neither signing is a surprise. Both are important moves. Backus is 34 and coming off offseason surgery after tearing a pectoral muscle in the playoff game. But he’s started 176 straight games, he’s tough and there’s no one on the current roster who could step into his big shoes.

Backus seems like a quiet guy — at least in comparison to center Dominic Raiola — but he’s definitely a leader on the offense.

Hill only saw garbage time in two games last season since Matthew Stafford was healthy. But the season before he started 10 games and had 16 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions. Actually he would have started three more but he broke him forearm and was forced to miss time.

Hill stepped right into the offense in part because he and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan worked together at Minnesota. He’s a no-drama guy who can step in and win games.

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Erik Coleman confirmed he has re-signed with the Lions with a Tweet late Thursday night: ‘Looking forward to getting back to the D!! Thank you all for the support! Can't wait to get back to work with the fellas!’

He signed a one-year deal.

Coleman’s first season with the Lions was shortened last year when he injured his ankle during kick return coverage at Dallas on Oct. 2. He was placed on Injured Reserve 10 days later.

Coleman will serve as a backup safety and add veteran experience to special teams. Last year during training camp he competed with Amari Spievey for a starting safety job. That could be the case again.

The Lions also signed free agent fullback James Bryant who last played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. That does not mean the Lions are changing their offensive scheme. They are simply adding another option. Remember, they must have 80 players on the training camp roster. Last year they had 90 because of a shortened offseason due to the NFL lockout.

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Two things about Calvin Johnson’s $132 million, eight-year deal:

One, it will not prevent the Lions from signing a much-needed cornerback or two. In fact, it will help. The Lions were in a real cap space crunch even after three players restructured on Monday. Johnson’s final year of his deal would have been a cap hit of nearly $22 million. The salary cap is only $122 million. Getting Johnson’s new deal was a top priority. The new contract opens up plenty of cap space this year which will help in signing a cornerback, a linebacker, a backup quarterback and more.

Secondly, the Lions and most NFL teams aren’t too worried about back-loading contracts because a new TV deal is due in 2014 which will give the salary cap a huge boost.

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Five reasons not to be worried that the Lions got a slow start on first day of free agency:

1. Martin Mayhew has a good track record in free agency, so he must be trusted.

2. Last year he signed MLB Stephen Tulloch and CB Eric Wright late in free agency and that seemed to work out just fine.

3. Mayhew had warned that the Lions would not be making a big splash in free agency with some of the high-profile players. He wasn’t kidding. He’s looking for more value for his dollar.

4. Not a lot of cap space to work with now. That could change with an extension for Calvin Johnson whose cap hit for 2012 is $22 million. That would change with a new deal.

5. The Lions emphasize that the roster is always a work in progress. It’s not done after free agency or the draft, Mayhew tweaks it throughout the season. It’s early.

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Five questions for the Lions on the first day of free agency. The fun begins at 4 p.m. Here we go:

1. Will they get Stephen Tulloch signed or will he find greener pastures elsewhere? The middle linebacker is a hot commodity. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him make a decision today. Will it be Detroit? Seattle? Elsewhere?

2. What’s taking so long to sign Jeff Backus? The left tackle wants to return for his 12th season with the Lions and the team has made it clear they want him back. Perhaps they had to clear salary cap space first.

3. How close are they to getting an extension done for Calvin Johnson? His cap hit for 2012 is $22 million. A new contract and restructuring will roll that back and give the team much-needed cap space.

4. Again, the Lions said they want backup quarterback Shaun Hill to return, but so far nothing. Again, salary cap space was an issue until Monday and actually will be until something gets done with Calvin Johnson. Hill provides the insurance they need at the most critical position.

5. They’ve promised they won’t be making a big splash on opening day of free agency. I believe them. But what positions will they target first? Depth is an issue at several spots.

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The Lions released tight end Will Heller today (Monday). He was set to make $900,000 in 2012, the final year of his contract. NFL free agency opens on Tuesday and the Lions were likely looking to open up salary cap room.

Heller, who signed with the Lions prior to the 2009 season, never missed a game. In three seasons he played in 48 regular season games and started 21 of them.

With a 10-yard reception from Matthew Stafford, Heller scored the Lions’ opening touchdown in the playoff loss at New Orleans.

The move leaves the Lions with two tight ends — Tony Scheffler and Brandon Pettigrew.

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Three restricted free agents — LB DeAndre Levy, OL Corey Hilliard and DT Sammie Hill — were tendered offers today (Monday) by the Lions, according to the team web site.

Levy, a third-round pick in 2009, was given a second-round tender that will pay him $1.927 million in 2012. Any team that wises to sign him must give up a second-round pick in this year’s draft.

Hill and Hilliard received original-round tenders — sixth for Hilliard and fourth for Hill. Each is worth $1.26 million.

If a team makes an offer the Lions have a week to counter or receive the draft pick.

The cap hit for all three is about $4.45 million.

The Lions got a $1.6 million cap bonus today, along with 27 other NFL teams per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Redskins and Cowboys were punished for dumping salaries into the uncapped 2010 year. The Redskins will lose $36 million in cap space that can be split between 2012 and 2013, while the Cowboys will lose $10 million. The Saints and Raiders didn’t lose cap space money but won’t share in the rewards because they engaged in similar tactics.

The Lions restructured three contracts today — Matthew Stafford, Ndamukong Suh and Nate Burleson — to help in the salary cap crunch.

Free agency opens at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

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Stafford, Ndamukong Suh and Nate Burleson have reportedly restructured their contracts to create more cap space before the start of free agency on Tuesday. Actually the Lions must be under the $120.6 million cap by then and were over by $11.5 million on Sunday.

These moves were not unexpected. Players can turn salary they were to be paid this year to signing bonuses which can, for cap purposes, be spread over the length of the contract.

Suh’s agent told Fox Sports Detroit that the deal would save “a significant amount” of cap space.

For this season Stafford was due $11.5 million, Suh $9.25 million and Burleson was due $4 million in base salary.

The Lions want to sign LB Stephen Tulloch and LT Jeff Backus to new deals and keep them off the free agent market. The restructuring should help.

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OK, so the big dates on the upcoming NFL calendar are March 13, the start of free agency, and April 26-28, the draft.

In the meantime don’t forget April 3. That’s the date Nike will introduce the new uniforms for each of the 32 NFL teams.

It’s the start of a five-year deal with the apparel/sneaker company. They take over after 10 years with Reebok.

We’ve seen what Nike has done with some college football uniforms. It seems, especially with the Pro Combat line like Michigan State, you either love them or hate them. Count me in the latter category. With some of the other Nike twists on tradition, like Michigan’s, it’s an updated look that most can live with.

So what’s up for the NFL?

It could be interesting, but remember this is the NFL which is generally pretty stodgy when it comes to uniforms.

Nike’s Mike Parker (president and CEO) talked to CNBC’s Darren Rovell about the new line in February: “We've innovated at a very high level, the uniforms are lighter, they're faster, they're better fitting. So, the athletes are actually very excited about what we're going to bring to the professional game. People are wondering — What are you going to do? Are you going to get crazy with the uniforms? I think we're actually going to have some fun, but respect the tradition of these teams at the same time.’’

Mark it on your calendars, April 3.

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All along the thinking has been that the Lions could possibly draft the second best cornerback in the pack. The question since the Combine has been exactly who is the second best corner.

Morris Claiborne (LSU) without question is the No. 1 cornerback and expected to be a Top 10 draft pick, maybe Top 5.

Dre Kirkpatrick (Alabama) was considered the second best, but then Stephon Gilmore (South Carolina) put on a show at the Combine.

"Everybody thought that was a foregone conclusion but Gilmore is putting some heat on Kirkpatrick," ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper said during a conference call on Thursday.

In his newest mock draft, Kiper has the Lions drafting Gilmore with the 23rd overall pick. He has Kirkpatrick going to the Bengals with the 17th pick, but said that could change before April 26.

Gilmore (6-foot, 190 pounds) ran the third fastest 40 among cornerbacks at the Combine with an official timing of 4.4.

“To be as physical as he is, people were wondering about his recoverability and the transition from college to pro. Would he have the catch-up speed and the recoverability that you need and could he fit different schemes,’’ Kiper said of Gilmore.

In his previous mock draft, Kiper had the Lions drafting CB Janoris Jenkins at that spot. Jenkins’ stock has dropped due to the revelation that he has four kids from three mothers at age 23, along with the drug arrests that dot his resume.

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When the possibility of a franchise tag was first discussed, Cliff Avril wasn’t too happy. Reportedly he even said he would hold out if that happened.

Well today (Monday) he was given a non-exclusive franchise tag. That means he can talk to other teams, but the Lions have a right to match any offer or be compensated with two first-round draft picks.

In all likelihood he’s staying. He’s a key piece to the puzzle and the Lions need him on the defensive line where he had his best season so far last year with 11 sacks and six forced fumbles.

Avril apparently has softened a bit on his stance on the franchise tag.

“Honestly and truthfully — at the end of the day — I’m very, very fortunate to be franchised by an NFL team,’’ Avril said on the Lions web site. “I’m very blessed. That being said, being a business, you always want to do what's best for you and your family.

“Being franchised — I’m blessed and I’m definitely happy about being considered a player to give that tag to. I just hope we can continue to negotiate and try to get something done,’’ he added.

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Ndamukong Suh was interviewed by radio station KTAR in Phoenix Thursday prior to being the grand marshall in this weekend’s Subway Fresh Fit 500 NASCAR race there.

Nothing the Lions defensive tackle said was shocking, it’s mostly the same old stuff, like getting past the stomping incident.

However his answer to whether he’s a leader on the team was interesting, especially about getting back on the horse: “I definitely see myself as a leader. One of the ways I’ve been lucky enough to lead and likely to continue to lead is just my actions and the way that I approach the game and working hard and being a player that steps up in big-time situations when plays need to be made. I feel like I did that a good amount in my rookie season. I might have slipped a little bit in my sophomore season, but I look forward to picking up and getting back on the high horse.”

He also admits there are things he can improve on: “There’s ways that from my rookie season to last year with having a little bit down stats-wise. There’s other ways from stats to helping my other teammates produce that I can get better at. Being able to go in and watch film when I was back in Detroit early last week, I saw some mistakes that I had and I look forward to correcting them.”

Suh needs to get back in control if he wants to truly be a leader on defense. The official team line is he played well last season despite his lower stat numbers. But also that he has to learn to play within the rules. He may have played well last year, but it was only for 14 games, not 16 in the regular season due to that two-game suspension. It’s going to take some stellar play before that is forgotten.

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