ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions have begun to purge players who were part of the NFL's first 0-16 team.
High-priced cornerback Leigh Bodden was one of six players released by the Lions on Monday.
The other players let go were wide receiver Mike Furrey, guard Edwin Mulitalo, safety Dwight Smith, tight end Dan Campbell and offensive tackle Jon Dunn.
Bodden signed a four-year, $27 million contract extension with Detroit before the season, but the deal won't kick in because he won't be on the roster next month when he was scheduled to collect a $8.6 million bonus. Bodden intercepted one pass for the Lions last season after he had 11 interceptions with the Browns in the previous three years.
Furrey had 98 receptions for 1,000-plus yards and six touchdowns in 2006 with the Lions after he started 11 games in 2005 as a defensive back with the St. Louis Rams.
Mulitalo started 11 games last season and 15 the year before that in Detroit. He has started 128 games since making his NFL debut with the Baltimore Ravens in 1999.
Smith didn't have an interception in seven starts and three games as a backup last season, failing to provide the type of production that former Lions head coach Rod Marinelli wanted from him and other players with whom he reunited from his years as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant. Smith was a solid starter for the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints and Buccaneers before signing with the Lions last season.
Injuries limited Campbell to just three games the past two seasons after he started 23 games during the 2005 and 2006 seasons in Detroit and played regularly for the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.
The Lions will have more decisions to make with their roster, including whether to cut or keep quarterback Daunte Culpepper. He signed a two-year deal during last season, as he did previously with the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders while struggling to regain the Pro Bowl form he had with the Vikings.
The Lions will have plenty of chances to revamp their roster this offseason, including on Feb. 27 when they can sign free agents and trade for players. Two months later, they have the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
