ALLEN PARK — Without naming names, cornerback Chris Houston ripped the distraction of Titus Young in the Detroit Lions locker room last season.

 Houston signed a five-year, $25 million deal with the Lions on Wednesday and spoke at a press conference today (Thursday).

  Houston wants to win and sees better days ahead for the Lions who finished 4-12 last season.

 The difference now?

 “Getting good players in our locker room. I think we had a lot of distractions last year on the offensive side of the ball. And, like I said, there were so many free agents on the defensive side of the ball and the chemistry wasn’t there,’’ Houston said.

“But I think upstairs they’re doing a great job of getting guys in here who are about football, good guys mainly in the locker room,’’ Houston said. “Once you get out there and guys are of one accord the sky’s the limit. I don’t think that was the case last year.’’

Wide receiver Titus Young was sent home after lining up in the wrong spots during the Nov. 18 game last year and it wasn’t his first offense. He sucker-punched teammate Louis Delmas last spring.

 Young was cut by the Lions after the season. He signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams but was cut within a week.

  Defensive free agents included Cliff Avril (who signed with Seattle), Corey Williams, Sammie Hill (who signed with Titans), Justin Durant, DeAndre Levy (who re-signed with Lions), Lawrence Jackson and Louis Delmas who is still unsigned.

  Houston said chemistry is key to winning and he expects it will be improved this season.

(For continuing coverage on Lions free agency, follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Also check out oplions.blogspot.com and TheOaklandPress.com.)