ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) - The Detroit Lions have attempted to improve their front office by hiring senior personnel executive Brian Xanders.

Lions general manager Martin Mayhew says he's thrilled to have a person with Xanders' experience working within the organization.

The Lions announced the move Monday.

Xanders was general manager of the Denver Broncos before parting ways with one year left on his contract following a meeting in May 2012 with executive vice president John Elway. He didn't have final say on roster decisions in Denver, and he won't in Detroit.

Xanders was hired by the Broncos as assistant GM under coach Mike Shanahan in 2008 and was promoted to general manager a year later.

He spent his first 14 seasons in the NFL in various capacities with the Atlanta Falcons.

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