Brandon Pettigrew

If you've read this blog, you're aware that I haven't exactly been an advocate of the Lions re-signing tight end Brandon Pettigrew. It's not because he is a bad player, but they need more explosiveness at the tight end position, and more consistency catching the football. Pettigrew has had way too many drops, and his production has been going down, not up. He is a good blocker, but not the dominant blocker anticipated when the Lions took him 20th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft.
But, despite all that, I didn't see the Lions  re-signing Pettigrew as that bad a move. The reason: The cost.
It's a cap friendly deal - just $8 million guaranteed.
I still believe the Lions should consider selecting a tight end early in this draft. It's deep for the position. North Carolina's Eric Ebron is an extraordinary talent and is still worthy, in my opinion, of being selected with the 10th overall pick. Having Pettigrew makes it more feasible for the Lions to take a wide receiver 10th overall. But more and more, the order of the day appears like the Lions will have to focus on defense in the draft. They have needs there in the secondary and linebacker. Former Ravens' safety James Ihedigbo.may still sign with the Lions, but he is the ultimate stop gap. He would not be an upgrade from Louis Delmas. The contrary. If there is any given in this draft, it is the Lions will select a safety.


My column: Michigan, MSU championship game could save the waning reputation of the Big Ten Tournament: http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20140312/michigan-msu-championship-game-could-save-waning-interest-in-big-ten-tournament-pat-caputo-says