Lions in trade talks with Chargers for Cromartie

INDIANAPOLIS — The Detroit Lions have talked to the Chargers about a potential trade for San Diego cornerback Antonio Cromartie, the Detroit Free Press confirmed.

Kevin Acee, who writes about the Chargers for The San Diego Union-Tribune, posted on his Twitter account it's "not a done deal" but he is hearing Cromartie "could be a Lion soon."

Cromartie, 25, is considered one of the league's most talented athletes. He had 10 interceptions in 2007.

But he has fallen out of favor with the Chargers because of a lack of physical play and off-the-field issues. He has five interceptions over the past two seasons.

The Lions need help at cornerback desperately, and Cromartie might be available for a reasonable price. He has one season left on his contract.

Note

• A spokesman said the league, at a meeting later this month, might vote to change its overtime format for playoff games.

Under the proposed format, both teams would get the ball at least once unless the first team to get the ball scores a touchdown, Greg Aiello said. If the first team to get the ball makes a field goal and the other team ties the scores, action would continue until a team scores again.

Under existing rules, the first team to score in OT wins. At least two-thirds of the teams would need to agree to the changes for new overtime rules to be adopted.