The Detroit Lions released safety Louis Delmas this offseason partly because of his inability to practice. That curbed his growth and consistency as a player, and made it more difficult to develop chemistry with free agent addition Glover Quin.

That's not going to be a problem with James Ihedigbo, who agreed on Monday to a two-year deal with Detroit.

The former Ravens safety didn't miss a game the past three years, rarely missed a practice the past two and already is getting an early jump on developing chemistry with Quin.

Both safeties make their offseason homes in Houston and have already begun working out together. They connected through a mutual friend this offseason and are training four times per week at Athletic Gaines.

"It's awesome to get to meet him," Ihedigbo told MLive by phone Friday afternoon. "I understand we already think very similarly about what it takes to be successful in this league."

Ihedigbo was one of the top free agent safeties left on the market after the initial 24-hour signing blitz and was drawing interest from the Ravens, Eagles and Cardinals. But he chose the Lions because they offered the best opportunity for immediate success.

He likes what Quin provides alongside him as a free safety, and that allows him to fill the hard-hitting strong safety role that allowed him to prosper with Baltimore.

Ihedigbo said he's played in the system for most of his career. He spent his first three seasons with the Jets, the last two of which came under former Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.

He played the 2011 season in New England, then the past two in Baltimore for defensive coordinator Dean Pees, who had come from New England.

Ihedigbo had a career season last year in that scheme, with 101 tackles and 11 passes defended, plus three interceptions. And now he's moving on to Detroit to play for new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who was Baltimore's secondary coach the past two years.

The move is one that benefits both parties. Ihedigbo knows what his role will be, and the Lions are getting a veteran who is fluent with the new scheme and can help expedite its implementation.

"I was kind of in the same system for the past four or five years now," he said. "Being able to come to Detroit and continue being in that system was a big part of that, as well as my relationship with Coach Austin goes far beyond the football field. He's a great man and good friend and a good mentor in the game. That all came into play when making my decision.

"Being in this defense, and help teach the guys different disguises, different ways we play things. There's so many different dynamics to it. Puts me in a great position to be here and be with these type of players to get this thing done and run this type of scheme."

If the Lions were such a good fit, why did it take Ihedigbo nearly two weeks to agree to a deal? He was considering the implications of a move to Michigan on his young -- and growing -- family.

Ihedigbo's wife had the couple's first child Thursday night. Grace London was born in Houston weighing 8 pounds, 9 ounces and measuring 22 inches long.

"I've heard often that the two greatest times in the life of a man are his first child being born and being a Super Bowl champion," Ihedigbo said. "Getting to experience both of those things, it's amazing. It's kind of surreal."

Ihedigbo said once his family signed off on the move to Detroit, he was all in.

"I really wanted to make sure it was OK with my family -- coming from Houston, moving to Detroit," he said. "There were other offers on the table from other teams. Just taking the time to make the right decision. You don't want to rush into a decision. It was, what's the best fit in terms of your career in the NFL? We took our time, and the Lions respected that.

"We got the deal done, and it worked out great for both sides. Now it's time to focus on playing football and focusing on our goal: Being a champion."