After the Lions picked tight end Brandon Pettigrew with the 20th pick of the draft last Saturday, it was obvious that Michael Gaines' time in Detroit was running out. Prior to the draft, the Lions didn't feel confident in their tight end situation, but Pettigrew is seen as someone that can be a starter from day one. Considering that, it is no surprise to find out that Gaines was released by the Lions today.
Last year, Gaines signed a four-year free-agent contract with the Lions, worth a reported $10 million ($3 million guaranteed). He had hopes of establishing himself as a complete tight end, saying: “I have an opportunity to be the guy here. This gives me a great opportunity to put my mark on the game.”
The remaining tight ends on the team are Pettigrew, second-to-last pick of the draft Dan Gronkowski, Casey FitzSimmons, Will Heller, Sean Conover, and Jake Nordin.
Pettigrew is probably better than half of the starting TE's in the NFL....but that does not make Gaines a bad TE. He's more than serviceable, and should have no problem finding work elsewhere (though at a lesser salary). Detroit probably overpaid for Gaines a little, and Pettigrew is a solid talent, but I was still surprised to see Detroit make this pick when they had bigger holes to fill. At the right price, I'd welcome Gaines back to my Bills in a heartbeat - he's a solid guy, on and off the field.
The funny thing is that the worst head coach in the history of football brought in Gaines becuase they liked his blocking ability. Marinelli's judgement was so good that the Lions drafted a TE primarily because he is a "great blocker" and then cut the $3 Millen Dollar Man. Tight work by a tight organization.
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The Jets, who are looking for a veteran tight end, worked out veteran Michael Gaines Wednesday, according to a person with knowledge of the workout. He spoke on the condition of anonymity because he's not authorized to speak for the Jets or Gaines. Gaines, a 6-foot-4, 277-pounder who is primarily a blocker, is a sixth-year pro who has played with the Panthers, Bills and Lions.
He could be a good addition to the Jets but i've read somewhere that he wants to be with the Bears.
The Jets, who are looking for a veteran tight end, worked out veteran Michael Gaines Wednesday, according to a person with knowledge of the workout. He spoke on the condition of anonymity because he's not authorized to speak for the Jets or Gaines. Gaines, a 6-foot-4, 277-pounder who is primarily a blocker, is a sixth-year pro who has played with the Panthers, Bills and Lions.
He could be a good addition to the Jets but i've read somewhere that he wants to be with the Bears.
The Bears signing him would make no sense- they have Olsen and Desmond Clark, who's at least twice the receiver Gaines is, and way better than half the blocker.
madaslives911 wrote: He could be a good addition to the Jets but i've read somewhere that he wants to be with the Bears.
So to the Windy City he goes....
The Chicago Bears have signed tight end Michael Gaines to a one year contract, according to the team site. Gaines has good size, at 6'4 and 277 lbs. Per this article from the Tribune last Friday, there may be plans to have Gaines line up at full back as well. He is a former 7th round draft pick in the 2004 NFL draft.
Thoughts about this signing:
How will Gaines fit into our passing/ running game?
Does this mean more success in short yardage situations?
Will Gaines be yet another option for Jay Cutler out of the back-field?
Thing about Olsen is he lines up as a WR or a slot alot, and Desmond Clark or someone else will be lined up on the line as a TE, they find ways to get Olsen on the field regardless because they don't have much at WR...I also noticed since they don't have that big WR Olsen get's lots of jumpball chances in the end zone for some TD's, Gaines contract looks like he's more for ST/depth/blocking.
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LS2throwed wrote:Thing about Olsen is he lines up as a WR or a slot alot, and Desmond Clark or someone else will be lined up on the line as a TE, they find ways to get Olsen on the field regardless because they don't have much at WR...I also noticed since they don't have that big WR Olsen get's lots of jumpball chances in the end zone for some TD's, Gaines contract looks like he's more for ST/depth/blocking.
I agree completely. I'd only be worried about this if I were a Desmond Clark owner. The Gaines-as-fullback idea is interesting.
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by madaslives911 » Wed Apr 29, 2009 6:23 pm 
