Joe Paquette Jr. walked 400 miles from his home in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Detroit for one reason. He is a die-hard fan of the Detroit Lions. And he wanted the team to know it.

Paquette arrived at team headquarters Wednesday and was greeted by coach Jim Schwartz, quarterback Matthew Stafford and other players.

Paquette, 63, said he started his trek from Munising Aug. 8. He walked as much as 32 miles a day during the two-week journey he hopes inspires the team.

Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin ended his holdout by signing a $7 million franchise tag tender. Franklin officially signed the deal before the 49ers played the Raiders in an exhibition game. This gives Franklin a little more than two weeks to get ready for the season opener Sept. 12 against Seattle.

The team unveiled its Hall of Honor in Arrowhead Stadium this week. It has everything from Hank Stram's film projector to Len Dawson's helmet. In one of the most interesting exhibits, fans can read the handwritten notes Lamar Hunt once made in-flight on American Airlines stationery detailing his ideas about an audacious project he wanted to call the American Football League.

Meanwhile, rookie linebacker Cameron Sheffield was released from the hospital after his neck was hurt while making a tackle in a preseason game Friday night against Philadelphia. The Chiefs said in that Sheffield has movement in all his extremities.

Vikings receiver Sidney Rice, who had surgery this week that will likely keep him out until at least midseason, said doctors told him he could have risked his career by playing on his injured hip. ... The Washington Post reported that Donovan McNabb (sprained ankle) is not expected to play again until the regular season opener.

Ed Bouchette's blog on the Steelers and Gerry Dulac's Steelers chats are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.