Lions safety Louis Delmas and tight end Brandon Pettigrew were named to the Pro Football Weekly/Professional Football Writers of America 2009 All-Rookie team today.

Pettigrew’s rookie season was cut short after he tore up his knee in the Thanksgiving Day game. The first-round pick (20th overall) was just finding his stride and had caught a combined 15 passes for 165 yards in the previous three games.

Delmas became the first NFL rookie ever — and just the second NFL player in history — to score on a safety, a fumble return for a touchdown and an interception return for a touchdown in the same season. His hard-hitting was his trademark, but it also became apparent he has the skills and football smarts to be a solid NFL safety.
— PAULA PASCHE