After losing running back Mikel Leshoure to a season-ending injury, the Detroit Lions signed Jerome Harrison and Mike Bell to replace him. The Lions aren't stopping their search for depth in the backfield, though. Fullback Preston Dial was let go along with cornerback Maurice Leggett to make room on the roster for the two new running backs, and the Lions may be in the market for somebody to take Dial's spot.
Dial's potential replacement could very well be Collin Mooney, a former Army fullback who has spent the last two years completing his post-graduate obligation to the military. He is scheduled to fly to Detroit later today and work out for the Lions on Thursday. If it goes well, the Lions could end up signing him.
Mooney's story is interesting enough considering he played for Army and is friends with current Lion Caleb Campbell, who was drafted by the Lions out of Army. What's really interesting is that Mooney is the son-in-law of former Lions general manager Matt Millen.
Mooney met Michalyn Millen during his junior year at West Point through her brother Marcus, Millen's son, who also was attending West Point. Michalyn was at Penn State but the two started dating and were married July 3, 2010.
Connection to Millen aside, it sounds like Mooney can play. He set the Army single-season rushing record in 2008, racking up a total of 1,339 yards and eight touchdowns in the Black Knights' triple-option offense. The Lions could use a power back like Mooney, so I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a deal and a chance to show what he's got during the rest of training camp.