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Lions cut Gaines
Three days after drafting tight end Brandon Pettigrew with the 20th pick of the first round, the Lions released his predecessor at the position, Michael Gaines.
Gaines signed a four-year contract last year as a free agent from Buffalo, but was plagued by drops and fumbles in his first season as a Lion. He finished with 23 catches last year.
Pettigrew isn't a down-the-field threat like Antonio Gates, but he was regarded as the most complete tight end in the draft.
"If you look back over the last few years, there's not many tight ends that have looked like him that have blocked him that have come out," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "If you're going to run the football, which we're going to do, you need a guy that can block the edge. And he's a guy that can do that.
"He's a really, really big target in the passing game. He's got really soft, reliable hands. Not necessarily a vertical threat down the field, but going to be a good target in the red zone."
The Lions also signed blocking tight end Will Heller as a free agent this offseason.
Gaines signed a four-year contract last year as a free agent from Buffalo, but was plagued by drops and fumbles in his first season as a Lion. He finished with 23 catches last year.
Pettigrew isn't a down-the-field threat like Antonio Gates, but he was regarded as the most complete tight end in the draft.
"If you look back over the last few years, there's not many tight ends that have looked like him that have blocked him that have come out," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "If you're going to run the football, which we're going to do, you need a guy that can block the edge. And he's a guy that can do that.
"He's a really, really big target in the passing game. He's got really soft, reliable hands. Not necessarily a vertical threat down the field, but going to be a good target in the red zone."
The Lions also signed blocking tight end Will Heller as a free agent this offseason.
Labels: Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions, Jim Schwartz, Michael Gaines
posted by Paula Pasche at
5:42 PM
7 Comments:
What's the cap ramifications of this move?
wonder who's next on the chopping block.
ya, grew is bigger than CJ....height and weight wise.
can't wait to see him and the rest of the team in action.
According to Netrat on the Mlive forum, this move saves the Lions $400k in cap space.
Seems like Pettigrew is kind of in the Alge Crumpler mold as a reciever.
WOOHOO!
Worst receiver EVER! I have never even seen a high school tight-end make the same mistake over and over and over again like this guy did. He is a liability in any situation where he might even accidentally touch the ball.
There are only three things that can happen when the ball is thrown at Gaines: He could drop the ball; he could catch it then fumble the ball; he could catch the ball and fumble the ball but have it incorrectly called down by contact. I know he was known as a run blocking tight end, but if he has no ball handling skills, he is really just an undersized offensive tackle.
-Marty
Next up, Aveion Cason, Brian Calhoun and Kalvin Pearson. Slowly but surely most of the Millen guys should be gone.
Dave, could you see them trading Ernie if Larry Foote signs here? I think we could get a good amount out of him, maybe a good DT and some picks?
On a completely different topic, any chance they'll develop Stafford to be another Payton Manning? So that he audibles every play? They did that early on with Payton and Stafford is supposed to be smart enough. It would give the team an elan to pull it off.
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