The Lions finalized a contract with quarterback Matt Stafford late Friday and will draft the Georgia quarterback with the No. 1 pick, team sources said.

The two sides had been working on a deal for several days after the Lions decided to rebuild their team around the junior signal caller.

Neither Stafford, his agent Tom Condon nor Lions general manager Martin Mayhew returned phone calls or e-mails Friday, but Stafford told NFL.com earlier in the day he wanted to play for Detroit.

“We've had some good talks, some good visits and sessions, and I would feel very comfortable there and believe I could become a part of growing something special,” Stafford said. “I wouldn't feel lost there at all.”

Terms of the deal weren't immediately known and it wasn't clear if Stafford would sign a contract before the draft begins around 4 p.m. today. Regardless, the Lions intend to make Stafford just the fourth quarterback they've drafted in the first round in the last 40 years.

Update: The deal is agreed to, but has not been signed. Regardless, Stafford will be the No. 1 pick sometime tomorrow.

Update II: First the deal is for six years. Second, I just got a text message from Stafford: "I'm unbelievably excited and truly blessed," the message read. "Thanks so much."

The Lions are close to agreeing on a deal with Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford to be the No. 1 overall pick.

Lions president Tom Lewand met with owner William Clay Ford for final approval earlier today, and the two sides could finalize a contract as soon as today. One source said a “catastrophe” would have to happen for the Lions not to draft Stafford at this point.

Phone calls to Lewand, general manager Martin Mayhew and senior vice president of communications Bill Keenist were not immediately returned. Neither Stafford nor his agent Tom Condon returned phone calls, either.

The Lions have five of the first 82 picks in this weekend's draft, including two first-rounders. Stafford passed for 3,459 yards last year with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He likely will start next season behind Daunte Culpepper.

Update at 3:20 p.m.: Keenist finally texted me a back a few minutes ago saying my report is "untrue." But the Lions still haven't returned my calls and I don't know what exactly is being denied. Lewand and Ford did meet today and my sources say a deal is "really close." When I have more, I'll let you know.

I caught up with former Ohio State middle linebacker James Laurinaitis last week as part of my draft preview package. He hasn't had much contact with the Lions throughout this whole process – just an interview at the combine and coach Jim Schwartz attended his pro day – but that doesn't mean they're not interested.

“I was talking to my agent about it, Tom Condon” – who also happens to represent Matt Stafford – “and he said, 'James, a lot of these teams already know your story. It's not like you're a secret to a lot of these teams. So they already know kind of what they're getting off the field with you,'” Laurinaitis said.

In fact, teams are limited to bringing 30 prospects in for visits, and many of those trips are used on players who need updated physicals and don't have quite the body of work of Laurinaitis, a three-year starter at Ohio State who hasn't missed a game or practice since fourth grade.

Laurinaitis said he worked out privately for St. Louis, Atlanta, Denver and Miami, and took visits to Kansas City, Houston and New Orleans.

“You're kind of wondering, are these teams interested in me or are these teams just trying to play the chess match to make their competitor think they're interested in me?” Laurinaitis said. “It's all a big poker game kind of. You don't want to put too many chips on one team because you never know who's going to take you.”

I don't know where Laurinaitis stands on the Lions' draft board. He's widely considered the No. 2 middle linebacker in the draft behind USC's Rey Maualuga, less dynamic but maybe a more complete player. The Lions, of course, also view Wake Forest's Aaron Curry as a middle backer, and Curry is the best defensive player in the draft.

I do know Laurinaitis is an interesting guy who would start from Day 1 with the Lions. His father was the professional wrestler “the Animal,” his uncle is still in the wrestling business, and he won the Nagurski Award as a sophomore and followed up with two productive years while playing under scouts' microscopes. He also said all the right things about playing in Detroit.

“It'd be like the next ghost of (Chris) Spielman coming in there, another Buckeye linebacker,” Laurinaitis said. “It'd be fun, it'd be an experience. To me, no matter what team picks me it's going to be a dream come true when that phone rings. You get to play in the NFL, you got to look at it that way. You can't say this or that, and if I went to Detroit, it's still a dream come true and hopefully be a part of some young players and some guys to turn it around up there because it's a great football town and they love their football and they want to see the Lions succeed.”

Update: Forgot to add, I got a tweet from Western Illinois linebacker Jason Williams saying he hasn't had any contact with the Lions. He's an outside backer so it's no great surprise. Figured I'd share nonetheless.

I'm sometimes a little slow in updating, but if you want to follow me on Twitter, it's "davebirkett".

Daunte Culpepper had another good morning under center on Day 2 of Lions mini-camp. Culpepper was at his best throwing deep balls to Calvin Johnson and other receivers. You can see why he had so much success with Randy Moss in Minnesota. If the offensive line can hold up, I'm sure Scott Linehan will make that a big part of this year's offense.

The other quarterbacks, Drew Stanton and Drew Henson, had better days Saturday as well. Stanton looked much more comfortable under center. He threw a few nice passes on rollouts and twice drew the defense offsides with a hard count. Henson still has a little third baseman in his throwing motion, but he was sharper as well.

A few other morning thoughts:

• Lions general manager Martin Mayhew confirmed to the Free Press that Aaron Curry's agent Andy Ross took in Saturday's practice. I'd caution against getting too excited, Curry fans. Ross wouldn't have been on the field if the Lions didn't want him to be seen. Matt Stafford's agent Tom Condon was reportedly in Detroit recently to begin negotiations, too.

• John Standeford is out for the rest of mini-camp after injuring his left ankle in practice Friday. He was on crutches and wore a boot on his left foot Saturday. “He'll be fine,” Lions coach Jim Schwartz said.

• Schwartz wasn't too pleased with some of the penalties. “Yesterday the offense didn't use any hard count and defense was getting off the ball and today they added that to the equation and defense didn't respond as quickly as I would have liked them. That's something that'll come, but first time you get stuff like that it's going to be a change.”

• Defensive end Cliff Avril said he's bulked up to 260 pounds after playing last year at 252. “I'm actually heavier than I've ever been right now,” Avril said. “I feel comfortable running with it, but honestly I think I want to get down a little bit to about (255), go to camp about (255, 256) and then just build off it from there.” Avril said he's willing to play some linebacker if the Lions so desire. “I'm down for whatever just as long as I can get to the quarterback,” he said.

• I mentioned Paris Lenon still having a stall in the Lions locker room yesterday, but I forget to mention Corey Smith's stall as well. The Lions kept Smith's old locker as a tribute to their former defensive end, who was lost at sea in a fishing accident. Smith's locker is between the stalls of defensive backs Keith Smith and Daniel Bullocks. A program from his memorial service sits in the locker, and Keith Smith said players routinely come by and read it.

For the Lions to land Jay Cutler, it's going to take a lot of draft picks. And that's why I don't think it's going to happen.

The Lions don't have the players to entice Denver to deal its franchise quarterback, even though the Broncos have backed themselves into a must-trade corner. They'll have to part with some combination of draft picks to get it done. One of their two first-rounders for sure (if Martin Mayhew can get rid of No. 1, more power to him), plus more early-round compensation and maybe a pick for next year. If Denver wants a quarterback in return, someone like Cleveland's Brady Quinn for instance, the Lions would have to send at least one of those picks another team's way.

They have eight picks overall, including three of the first 33 and five of the first 82, but spending several high choices on Cutler (plus giving him a restructured contract similar to what the No. 1 pick would make) doesn't jive with how the Lions want to build their team.

“We've said all along that we want to build this team through the draft,” Lions president Tom Lewand said Wednesday during a media event to promote the Final Four at Ford Field. “I think a lot of teams say that. The teams who are disciplined about that approach actually do it. So we have to be cognizant of that goal and that philosophy and have the discipline to stick to that. That doesn't mean you don't make trades, but it means you do so with the recognition that you're giving away the opportunity to add to your core through the draft and the recognition that that's the most important way to construct a foundation of a team.”

The Lions already are operating without fourth- and fifth-round picks this year, having included a fifth-rounder in the Julian Peterson trade last month. Asked how not having those picks might hamstring the Lions trade wise, Lewand said he wouldn't venture a guess.

“That's a purely hypothetical and theoretical question," he said.

He also declined comment on Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford's private workout Tuesday. When asked specifically about Cutler, he cited anti-tampering rules in dodging the question.

“It still falls under the purview of somebody who's under contract with another club that I can't comment on,” he said. “I would say, consistent with everything that Jim Schwartz has said and Martin has said, we'll look at every opportunity to improve our football team and do it in a way that's consistent with our philosophy and that allows us to do things in way that's going to maximize the potential to build this team in a way that is sound and that is consistent with the plan that we've set out.”

A couple more notes from Wednesday:

• Lewand said talks with the representatives for potential No. 1 overall picks are ongoing. “I wouldn't term them in-depth negotiations at this point,” he said. “We're having discussions on frameworks of contracts with several different representatives at this point.”

• Asked if he was "close" with Stafford's agent, Tom Condon, Lewand said, “Close? I've never had him over for Thanksgiving dinner.” No word on whether that will change this year.

• On whether the Lions intend to sign Caleb Campbell, the seventh-round pick who had to give up football to return to the Army last year, Lewand said no decision has been made. Campbell, who still has another year of military service to fulfill before he can play football, re-enters the draft pool if he doesn't sign with the Lions before this year's draft. Don't expect the Lions to make a big push to get a contract done.

It's a good move for the Lions to begin contract dialogue with their top couple choices for the No. 1 overall pick. It should help them get a deal done before the draft and eliminate all the July hand-wringing that comes with a possible holdout. But don't think for a second that gives the Lions a leg up in the bargaining process.

Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford and Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith are logically the top players on the Lions' draft board. Both play premium positions, both would fill immense areas of need, and both are represented by the same CAA Football agency.

Stafford and Smith have different agents – Stafford signed with Tom Condon, Smith with Ben Dogra and Michael Lartigue – and they have their own financial interests in having their client go No. 1. But to think the Lions will be able to play one against the other is naïve. Stafford and his people will know exactly where the Lions stand with Smith, and vice versa.

Now maybe the Lions' flirtation with Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji as the No. 1 pick is serious – I tend to think he's more an option if they trade down a few spots (interesting side bar: Raji has the same agent as Mark Sanchez) – and maybe Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry is still in the mix, though as of Tuesday night the Lions had not opened contract dialogue with his agent Andy Ross.

But as it stands now, unless there's meddling from above, it looks like the Lions will make their first choice in April's draft based on football reasons and football reasons alone. That's a good thing. (Usually.)

I've blogged before about a couple ex-Titans (safety Vincent Fuller and cornerback Chris Carr) and one ex-Jaguar (linebacker Mike Peterson) who I think would make sense for the Lions in free agency.

Fuller wants to be a starting free safety in the NFL and has a good relationship with new Lions coach Jim Schwartz. The Lions, meanwhile, need a starter to pair with Daniel Bullocks in the secondary. At cornerback, I don't expect Carr would start, but he's a rotational guy who has excellent value as a return man. Peterson should be an option at middle linebacker, one of the thinnest positions in this year's draft, only if new personnel man Shack Harris is convinced he's not a locker-room cancer. Harris should know. He, too, is an ex-Jaguar.

(As a side note, Peterson's agent Tom Condon also represents potential No. 1 pick Matt Stafford. Not that NFL teams would ever tamper would another team's free agent, but I'd bet Martin Mayhew and/or Tom Lewand has been in touch with Condon this offseason – maybe even this weekend – and probably know the sort of deal Peterson desires.)

Schwartz wasn't asked specifically about any of those players Thursday – he couldn't comment even if he was – but he did talk in general about potentially signing some ex-Titans this offseason.

“I think that's part of the thing when new staffs take over they all bring insider information so to speak from whatever team they were at,” Schwartz said. “We have guys on our staff from Kansas City, from St. Louis, from Tennessee, Tampa Bay, a lot of different staffs. So yeah, it won't just be us. You're going to use every bit of information that you can and knowing those guys that does give us a little bit of an advantage.”

The logical next question, of course, is what does that mean for the Lions and Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who said he'll test free agency and wants to be the highest-paid defensive player in the league. I still don't think the Lions will take part in the Haynesworth sweepstakes, a belief that was reinforced at the NFL combine Thursday when Schwartz referenced his early days in Tennessee and how the Titans stocked up on “middle-class” free agents. But Schwartz did have good things to say about Haynesworth, including that he (hypothetically) should get the massive contract that he seeks.

"When you talk about high-priced players anywhere you talk about people that can impact the game, not just maybe from a fan standpoint but from coaching, from a scheme standpoint," Schwartz said. "Left tackles get paid a lot of money, not because it looks real pretty on TV and the media but because what that does for an offensive coordinator and his protections and things like that. So you got to talk about ability to impact a game. Corners that can shut down somebody. Pass rushers that can win one-on-ones. Those guys impact the game. A running back that can run against an eight-man front. They impact the game. Quarterbacks we didn't even get into, but quarterbacks impact a game.

"So yeah, hypothetically, if there was a defensive tackle that dominates the game, there's no reason that he wouldn't be the highest-paid player."

I spent my evening at the town-hall meeting the Lions hosted for about 400 fans in the atrium of Ford Field. Reviews were mixed. I talked to a couple fans who thought the gesture was a great idea, and others – one in particular (read tomorrow's paper) – who saw Monday's hour-long session as a desperate sales pitch.

Me? I can't say it was a bad idea for the Lions to do what they did. They're coming off an 0-16 season, they had to extend an olive branch to fans somehow. But if you follow the team on a regular basis there wasn't a ton new said. No revelations of who'll be the No. 1 pick, no Super Bowl-or-bust declarations, and no real timetable for a turnaround.

New coach Jim Schwartz drew a few laughs, including when a fan asked, through moderator Dan Miller, the Lions play-by-play voice, about the possibility of cheerleaders at Ford Field. “My wife already said no to that,” Schwartz joked.

Schwartz also drew a big round of applause at the end when he ended the hour-long session with a promise to keep the Thanksgiving day game in Detroit.

“It's going to be one of the first things I talk to the players when they come back in March,” Schwartz said. “We're going to put a barbed-wire fence around that Thanksgiving day game. I'm not going to have people around the country talking about taking that game away from us. We're going to put a barbed-wire fence around that. The players are going to understand the importance of it, and here's the reason: Cause it is a tremendous advantage to have that game at home here on a yearly basis. I know we played it last year and you pick up a bye week after it.”

A few other topics of note that came up Monday:

• Team president Tom Lewand seemed to take a shot at the failed Rod Marinelli-Matt Millen regime when he talked about “building it for the long haul so that when you get it right it stays right. Jim talked about consistency, that's what you're going to see week in and week out. Not 38-point blowout one week, hanging in there 'til the end in another week, trying to come back from a 21-point first-quarter deficit another week. That can't happen. If you build it the right way, then week in, week out you give yourself a chance. ... We have to build it that way so that we have the kinds of confidence from top to bottom, throughout the organization and throughout that locker room, so that if we're at a position again like we were a few years ago where we're 6-2 it's not, 'Oh my God, how did we get here?' It's, 'OK, we expected that. We're going to take this a week at a time, a day at a time, and we're going to do this the right way.'”

• General manager Martin Mayhew on who the Lions will target with the No. 1 pick in April's draft: “For us right now, we don't have a whole lot of areas where we have a great degree of talent so for us this season it probably will be a situation where we'll be looking at best player available.”

• Lewand said later that Tom Condon, the agent for Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford, the potential No. 1 overall choice, called him Monday and “was very eager to let me know that Matt Stafford had selected him as his agent and did I need any information he'd be happy to provide it. If I wanted to go down to Georgia to meet the family we could do that, too.”

• Schwartz reiterated his belief that quarterback is the most important position in the NFL. Asked about different schools of thought on whether you draft a quarterback or go with a veteran, he said, “I think you don't want to be stopgap at that position. You want to be long term.”

• Lewand said the Lions are in “good shape” when it comes to the salary cap. “Depending on some of the moves that we make with players that are currently on our roster we expect somewhere in the neighborhood of roughly $35 million of salary-cap room. I think that enables us to do the kinds of things we're going to want to do from a personnel standpoint both in free agency and importantly in the draft.” The Lions are believed to be $26-$28 million under the cap right now. Lewand didn't mention any candidates to be cut, but Leigh Bodden (due an $8.6-million bonus), Dwight Smith (signed next year at $2.25 million) and Daunte Culpepper (due a $2.5-million bonus) come to mind. He did indicate a two players who might be priorities to re-sign and nearing or at the end of their deals in kicker Jason Hanson and center Dominic Raiola.

• Lastly for tonight, Lewand hinted that changes to the uniform and leaping Lion logo will be coming, though maybe not until the 2010 season. Uniform changes for this year had to be submitted last November. “Stay tuned,” Lewand said. He also intimated the Lions could one day return to hosting training camp at a remote location like Saginaw Valley State.