The Washington Redskins finally filled their long need for a guard by acquiring veteran right guard Brenden Stai from the Detroit Lions for an undisclosed draft choice. The Redskins have been troubled by poor play at the guard position throughout training camp and have been trying to pull off a trade for a month.

A year ago, the 30-year-old Stai was considered a valuable part of the Lions offensive line. He signed a five-year, $9.72 million contract in 2001 that included a $2.75 million signing bonus.

For Stai, he thought it was a contract that he would end his career with. Now, he moves to his fifth team. Stai was drafted by the Steelers in the third round in 1995. The Chiefs had him in 2000 and traded him to the Jaguars for a fourth-round choice that season. The Jaguars released him and he signed with the Lions and was considered their prime free agent signing.

Last week's signing of guard Ray Brown by the Lions apparently gave management the confidence that they could trade either Stai or veteran guard Tony Semple.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.