Lions Notebook: P Nick Harris happy to be back in Detroit

Nick Harris punting for the Lions in 2008. Harris, who played for Detroit from 2002-2010 was re-signed Tuesday after playing for Jacksonville last seaon. (US Presswire)

When the Detroit Lions re-signed punter Nick Harris on Tuesday, they knew they were bringing back a player who was familiar with the way the franchise was run and what management expects of its players.

In fact, Harris said he was familiar with every part of the Lions’ organization when he returned to the team’s Allen Park, Mich., practice facility -- except what it felt to be the new guy in the locker room of a team coming off of its first playoff berth in 11 years.

“It’s kind of strange, he said. “I look at the rookies and they look at me like, ‘Who’s the new guy?’ and I look at them like they’re the new guys … it’s awesome.”

Harris was Detroit’s punter for eight seasons from 2003-2010, before being released on roster deadline day last season to save salary-cap space.

Harris says he has no ill feelings toward the Lions.

“I think the Lions did a wise thing [cutting me] at the time,” he said. “I ended up in Jacksonville and had a great year.”

Harris’ only regret at being cut was that he missed Detroit’s return to the postseason. “Part of [the difficulty of] leaving was leaving the rebuilding here,” he said. “But I’m here now, and here we go.”

The Lions’ decision to re-sign Harris surprised some, given that Buffalo had released veteran Brian Moorman the same day. But Harris offered GM Martin Mayhew an intangible that few other punters could match -- a relationship with kicker Jason Hanson.

Detroit uses the punter as Hanson’s holder, and Harris said his experience with Hanson was a major selling point for Lions’ management. “I think [the familiarity with Hanson] helped a lot [with Detroit’s decision to re-sign him],” Harris said. “The past history [with Hanson], the continuity and the fact that we work well together had a lot to do with [his return].”

After a year away from the franchise, Harris was in a unique position to offer insight on how the locker room has changed since his departure. He says the linchpin for Detroit’s growth has been a simple change of attitude.

“The atmosphere [now] is that there’s a goal,” he said. “There’s a goal to win, to be in the playoffs and ultimately to win a championship. That wasn’t here a long time ago, but it’s here now, and it’s good to be a part of that. “

Nick Fairley’s lawyers seek diversion program for summer arrests: Although DT Nick Fairley spent Wednesday morning preparing to face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Ford Field, his lawyer was preparing to enter an Alabama courtroom to try and solve the second-year player’s legal issues.

Fairley was arrested May 27 on charges of attempting to elude police and driving under the influence. The Associated Press reports that Fairley’s attorney, Sid Harrell, filed paperwork to enroll him in an anti-DUI course instead of proceeding to a traditional trial. Fairley was driving 100 mph in his Cadillac Escalade when approached by police. He did not initially respond to officers’ requests to pull over and was subsequently taken into custody. Harrell stipulated to Fairley’s DUI charge in order to request a hearing on Fairley’s possible enrollment in the diversionary program. The hearing will likely be scheduled to accommodate Fairley’s commitments with the Lions. Fairley declined to comment on the case.

Stafford says he feels better, won’t commit to playing Sunday: QB Matthew Stafford missed Detroit’s Wednesday practice with what the team is describing as a hip injury. He says he’s been able to rest since he left Detroit’s Week 3 loss to the Titans in the fourth quarter, and that he felt better Wednesday than he did following the game. Stafford said he didn’t know if he would play Sunday against the Vikings. Lions coach Jim Schwartz said he wouldn’t release any official update on Stafford’s playing status until Friday’s injury report deadline.

Stafford has suffered various injuries throughout in his NFL career. He said he understands that part of his job is to be available to play through pain if his hip is healthy enough for action. “[Playing through injuries] is something you learn to do when you get into this league, and I’m no different than anyone else,” he said.

Practice report: In addition to Stafford, the Lions listed 11 players on Wednesday’s practice report. No Practice: S Louis Delmas (knee), LB Travis Lewis (quad), TE Tony Scheffler (calf), DT Corey Williams (knee) and WR Titus Young (knee). Limited Practice: LB Justin Durant (back), DE Lawrence Jackson (calf), WR Calvin Johnson (ankle), RB Mikel Leshoure (groin) and G Rob Sims (knee). Full Practice: T Corey Hilliard (elbow).