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Sylvester Williams could help boost Lions' run defense

The Detroit Lions filled one of their biggest remaining needs on Wednesday by signing defensive tackle Sylvester Williams.

Williams, 29, helps fill the void left by Haloti Ngata’s departure to Philadelphia in free agency. Williams adds a veteran, run-stopping element to the interior of Detroit’s defensive line as he joins A’Shawn Robinson, Akeem Spence, Jeremiah Ledbetter and Christian Ringo in the defensive tackle rotation.

“I like the town, it’s a blue-collar town and that’s the kind of guy I am,” Williams said in a conference call Wednesday on why he chose to sign with the Lions.

View Gallery | 23 Photos Sylvester Williams photos

“Just coming here and meeting with coach (Matt) Patricia and hearing him talk.