The Lions are staging a two-man kicking battle in training camp.
After officially signing UFL standout Jake Bates to a two-year deal on Tuesday, Detroit released James Turner, the Michigan product who signed with the club in April as an undrafted free agent.
That means the fight for the kicking job will come down to Bates -- a former college soccer player who showed a booming leg this year with the Michigan Panthers -- and veteran Michael Badgley.
Turner showed a strong leg himself during practices this spring, after being named second-team All-Big Ten while helping Michigan win the national title last season. But he and Bates are clearly unproven commodities in the NFL, while Badgley offers six years of experience.
That gives the Lions some insurance, should Bates fail to live up to the hype -- and his contract -- in camp. His deal with Detroit is worth nearly $2 million over two years, though just $150,000 of it is guaranteed. Bates will have to earn a spot on the roster this season and next to secure most of that money.
