As the Detroit Lions bring in big name free agents Reggie Bush and Glover Quin for visits, along with potential rotational pieces such as Jason Jones, fans are wondering where the team suddenly came up with the surplus of funds to pursue all of these players.

It's a reasonable question.

After tendering restricted free agents Jason Fox and Willie Young and officially re-signing DeAndre Levy and Amari Spievey, the Lions are seemingly butting right up against the salary cap, with less than $2 million to spend. (This was before Chris Houston agreed to a five-year deal)

Given that information, it's important to note that cap space in the NFL is fluid. There's an understanding that if a team wants to sign a player they can always find the money.

There are a number of ways the Lions can instantly clear big chunks of cap space. The ideal option remains extending the contract of Matthew Stafford, lowering his $20.8 million cap number in 2013.

If the Lions simply want to push back funds, delaying cap hits, Ndamukong Suh, Calvin Johnson and Stephen Tulloch are all prime candidates for simple restructurings. Those moves can clear millions off the books this year, spreading the 2013 cap hit over the duration of each players' contract.

The problem with this methodology is you're robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Finally, the Lions still have a couple higher-priced veterans on the roster they could release. It's not an ideal option, because doing so creates another roster hole.

So yes, the Lions appear to have no money to spend, but with a couple strokes of the pen, the funds can be there.