Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew is not doing a good job endearing himself to Detroit fans. After ranking third in the NFL among tight ends in dropped passes last season, Pettigrew had an abysmal performance in Sunday's opener against the Vikings, totaling two catches for 6 yards and losing a fumble.
Despite his struggles, coach Jim Schwartz is coming to Pettigrew's defense.
"He has worked really hard at ball security," Schwartz said Monday, per MLive.com. "The one he fumbled on the screen, he's making a cut back and he has two offensive lineman out in front of him and both of them go after the same guy. You can see his eyes on the play, he looks inside and he figured that guy is out of the equation."
Although third-string tight end Joseph Fauria outperformed Pettigrew Sunday, Pettigrew remains the team's best blocker at tight end, which will likely keep him in the starting lineup.
"I thought Pettigrew blocked very well in this game," Schwartz said. "Particularly some of the behind the ball stuff that we do with him. The way the coverage was. Particularly early in the game."