Recently, the Detroit Lions coaching and personnel staff have been looking at an inordinate number of tight end draft prospects.

 

Fire up the message boards ma! There's trollin' to do!

 

No pick in the 2009 NFL Draft was more polarizing than that of Oklahoma State tight end, Brandon Pettigrew. Not only was tight end considered one of the lesser needs on the Detroit Lions roster but Michael Oher was available on the board and coveted by many a Lions fan.

 

Daily, still, at many Detroit Lions blogs, forums, fan sites, or news posts, one can find a fair amount of Lions fans still tending the little Honolulu blue candle they once lit for Michael Oher.

 

Brandon Pettigrew was sold to the Lions faithful as an all-around tight end and a can't miss prospect—a powerful inline blocker who could also catch the ball and be a threat in the end zone. Then, Pettigrew was injured before he could put together enough of a rookie season to silence doubters.

 

Those detractors have another feather in their cap.

 

As of late, it seems the Detroit Lions believe they need some tight end assistance.

 

After Pettigrew,Will Heller is the prototypical backup—a blocking tight end who can catch a few over the middle. Seventh round pick Dan Gronkowski got some burn last season. Even Jake Nordin caught a few passes.

 

What more could the Lions need at the tight end positon?

 

Well...

 

Oregon TE Ed Dickson has already visited Allen Park. Jimmy Graham, a pass catching tight end from Miami is scheduled to visit soon. Tennessee monster Jeff Cottam is bringing all 6'7” of his red zone threatening frame to Knoxville just for a workout with the Lions. Dorin Dickerson is another tight end connected with the Lions in the draft.

 

All of the prospects share some similar traits, all (except Cottam) are speedy guys known more for catching than blocking. Graham, Dickerson and Dickson are smaller guys who can split out and play WR in the Dallas Clark mold.

 

So what does all this mean?

 

The Lions are not going to carry four tight ends on the roster in 2010 and that means Gronkowski could be headed for the practice squad once again.

 

More likely, it signals a change in scheme where an extra tight end could make the roster over a final rusher or fullback.

 

Most likely, it is just due diligence in the grand scheme of the draft where tight end is a deep position group. Guys like Graham or Dickson could be second rounders in another year as late as a fifth in 2010.

 

Whatever the case, it is certainly fodder for fans who still can't get over pick number 20.

 

Michael Schottey operates Blue And Silver Pride and is a Detroit Lions featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He also serves as a team correspondent for DraftTek.com and is a guest blogger for Mlive's Highlight Reel. Check out his Podcasts and add him on Twitter!