When the Detroit Lions added offensive lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai a year ago, they praised his versatility. But make no mistake about it, he was penciled in as the team's starting right tackle the moment he signed the five-year, $45-million contract.
Everything pointed that direction, from the money to where he'd had most of his early-career success as a member the Philadelphia Eagles. And it was quickly confirmed when he took nearly every rep at that position during training camp.
But a foot injury suffered before the season, which lingered throughout the campaign, altered the Lions' plans for their biggest free-agent addition.