SideLion Report
FanSided

Detroit Lions all-time tight ends in the ‘Tecmo Bowl’ era

By James F. Puzzuoli

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 07: Crowds line up to view the new Nintendo game console Wii U at the Nintendo booth during the Electronic Entertainment Expo on June 7, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Wii U will have HD graphics, a controller with a 6.2 inch touchscreen and be compatible with all other Wii accessories. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 07: Crowds line up to view the new Nintendo game console Wii U at the Nintendo booth during the Electronic Entertainment Expo on June 7, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Wii U will have HD graphics, a controller with a 6.2 inch touchscreen and be compatible with all other Wii accessories. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
GREEN BAY, WI – NOVEMBER 15: Brandon Pettigrew #87 of the Detroit Lions reacts with teammates Travis Swanson #64 and Calvin Johnson #81 after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 15, 2015 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – NOVEMBER 15: Brandon Pettigrew #87 of the Detroit Lions reacts with teammates Travis Swanson #64 and Calvin Johnson #81 after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 15, 2015 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

STARTER – BRANDON PETTIGREW

One word sums up Brandon Pettigrew’s career: injuries. If injuries had not derailed Pettigrew, maybe he would still be playing today. Pettigrew was drafted in the same draft and round as quarterback Matthew Stafford (2009 first round, #20 and #1 respectively). He was a good running mate for Stafford in his early years.

Pettigrew was a decent blocker with decent hands. He didn’t jump off the page, but he was pretty consistent in his first five years with the Detroit Lions. He averaged better than 50 receptions, 500 yards, and 3TD in his first five seasons. It was a promising start.

BACKUP – DAVID SLOAN

David Sloan was used primarily as a blocker during his time with the Detroit Lions. Detroit was a different team then. They certainly didn’t have anyone of the caliber of Matthew Stafford throwing the ball, and the position wasn’t about receptions.

Sloan’s career achievement was a Pro Bowl in 1999. He was also named an alternate in 2001. One of the memorable things about Sloan would be the Detroit fans dressing as “Sloan-heads,” which was a play on “Saturday Night Live’s Coneheads” skit.

Sloan represented the city well in his seven seasons. This leads us to the honorable mention, who was quite the opposite in terms of professionalism, yet very similar in terms of actual stats.

Home/Lions All-Time Lists