Casey Fitzsimmons News

Impressions from the first workout of the Detroit Lions three-day minicamp: --- Quarterback Daunte Culpepper, talking for the first time since the team drafted Matthew Stafford, didn't say much.

After taking the first tight end in the draft - Brandon Pettigrew with the 20th overall pick in the first round - the Detroit Lions also selected the 19th tight end of the draft when they picked Dan Gronkowski of Maryland.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz and a few of his players were on hand Thursday afternoon at Motor City Casino to meet and give a team helmet to Sprint Cup driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Lions linebacker Darnell Bing breaks up a pass intended for tight end Casey FitzSimmons during practice on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at the practice facility in Allen Park.

Before handing out grades on how a team selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, you should ideally wait three seasons to see if a prospect is truly a gem or a flop.

The Lions have released tight end Michael Gaines, after drafting two tight ends during the weekend: Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew and Maryland's Dan Gronkowski .

After a day to digest the Lions' first draft without Matt Millen since 2000, here are some thoughts on each of the picks -- and on three veterans who should be nervous today: The picks Matthew Stafford: The comparisons to everyone from Joey Harrington to Bobby Layne have their place.

Oklahoma State tight end NFL draft: selected in the first round by the Detroit Lions.

Martin Mayhew felt no need to get defensive about the first day of his first NFL draft as the Lions' general manager.

The Lions' defense allowed the second-most points in NFL history in 2008. But they went with a pair of offensive players in the first round of Saturday's NFL draft, adding Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew with the 20th overall pick to go with quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Don't forget about tight end as the Lions go through the NFL draft this weekend.

The Lions added a tight end to their roster Monday, but it wasn't L.J. Smith. The team signed free agent Will Heller, a seven-year NFL veteran, to a one-year contract, filling the team's need for a blocking ...

If Corey Smith won't return to the Lions this season, then no one will take his number.

Two years ago in a game at Ford Field, Detroit Lions tight end Casey FitzSimmons returned an onside kickoff 41 yards late in the fourth quarter for the game-clinching touchdown in Detroit's 37-27 victory ...

Philadelphia Eagles free agent tight end L.J. Smith is on his way to Detroit where he'll meet with Lions team officials tonight and Tuesday, according to Albert Breer of SportingNews.com. Smith caught just 37 ...

The Lions went for it and got a fourth-down conversion. But then, an interception and a 3-yard TD pass from Aaron Rodgers to Jermichael Finley makes it 14-0 Green Bay at the start of the second.

After trailing by two touchdowns in the first quarter, the Lions get on the board with a 9-yard TD pass from Dan Orlovsky to Calvin Johnson.

Most athletes dream of performances that will live forever in the minds and hearts of their fans.

Are the Detroit Lions still capable of defeating the Green Bay Packers Sunday at Lambeau Field? "There is no way," an assistant coach for the New Orleans Saints said Wednesday.

The Detroit Lions, who have lost 15 consecutive straight games this season and 22 of the last 23 overall are going to Wisconsin on Sunday where they haven't won in 17 straight attempts.