Lions GM Mayhew on no-show Ihedigbo: 'I have empathy for him'

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- One of Martin Mayhew's starting safeties isn't showing up for the team's voluntary offseason workouts because he thinks he's underpaid and wants a new contract.

Mayhew, the Detroit Lions' general manager, can relate to James Ihedigbo's predicament.

"I understand what he's going through," Mayhew said Friday during a news conference that included previewing next week's NFL Draft. "I've been through that myself as a player. I felt like at a time in my career, I was underpaid. I had to deal with that. I have empathy for him.

"I look forward to sitting down and talking to him. I have great respect for him as a player, as a man. I've gotten to know him a little bit away from football. I understand how he feels."

Ihedigbo is scheduled to make $1.6 million this coming season, which is the final year of a two-year deal he signed in March 2014 as an unrestricted free agent.

Asked whether he plans to redo Ihedigbo's contract, Mayhew said, "I'm not going to get into all that, but I do look forward to talking to him about his situation."

As for when he plans to have that conversation, Mayhew added, "Whenever I see him."

ROB SIMS UPDATE

The Lions currently don't have a left guard for their offensive line.

That player could come from the draft. Mayhew said he thinks there's a "very strong" group of tackle and guard prospects.

There's also a chance he will still sign a veteran free agent, including Rob Sims.

Sims, 31, has started every game at the position for Detroit over the last five years, but he's a free agent now and hasn't been re-signed yet.

"We've had some discussion with Rob," Mayhew said. "I really don't know the answer to that (whether Sims will be back). I spoke to his agent probably about three weeks ago. We had an offer out to him. That's kind of where we are right now. We have to wait and see what happens."

RILEY REIFF UPDATE

A year ago, the Lions decided against picking up the fifth-year option on defensive tackle Nick Fairley, but that won't be the case with offensive tackle Riley Reiff.

Mayhew confirmed that the team will indeed pick up the $8-million option on Reiff, a former first-round draft pick, for the 2016 season.

"We're definitely going to do his fifth-year option," Mayhew said. "I anticipate getting that paperwork done sometime soon."

There's been speculation that Reiff could be moved out of his left-tackle spot, either to right tackle or to a guard position. Mayhew downplayed that possible change.

"I think Riley Reiff is a heck of a left tackle," Mayhew said. "He can play multiple positions. I feel very comfortable with him at left tackle or at right tackle.

"There's been a lot of debate about where he is and where he's going to be. I'm comfortable with him at left tackle. I feel good about that."

RODNEY AUSTIN UPDATE

Mayhew said he found out a week ago about the domestic-violence incident involving reserve offensive guard Rodney Austin, but the Lions waited until Tuesday to release him.

"I wanted to sit down and talk to him about that," Mayhew said. "I talked to him and decided the best thing for us to do was to move on from him."

Austin has vehemently denied the allegations through his agent.

"I've not closed the door on bringing him back, but until he gets his legal issues resolved, I thought the best thing for us to do as a franchise was to move on," Mayhew said.

DAREDEVIL PLAYERS

Linebacker DeAndre Levy went "wing walking" for his annual offseason adventure, and quarterback Matthew Stafford tried sky-diving on his honeymoon.

In both cases, Mayhew said he found out too late to do anything about stopping them.

"So far, it's been telling them after they've already done it," he said. "I think we need to work on that a little bit and keep our feet on the ground and stay safe.

"It's not a big deal until something bad happens. I'd rather they just not do that."

Mayhew was aware of the video that showed Levy standing on the wing of a flying plane.

"I couldn't bear to watch it," Mayhew said. "I saw the picture. That was all I needed to see."