DETROIT -- The Lions re-signed tight end Brandon Pettigrew on Friday, keeping one of Matthew Staffords top targets and a player who can potentially make defences regret focusing too much on Calvin Johnson. "The key is to be able to keep your good players," new Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. "And, I think anytime you can do that in an organization, its great. It doesnt always work out for you, but when you can, and a guys been productive for you, I think its huge." Pettigrew will get a $16 million, four-year contract with half of the money guaranteed, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke Friday to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because terms were not announced. "Obviously, this is certainly a long-term commitment from both sides and were certainly looking forward to that," Caldwell said. The Lions drafted Pettigrew with the 20th overall pick in 2009, the same year they selected Stafford first overall in the NFL draft. The native of Tyler, Texas, has 284 receptions for 2,828 yards and 16 touchdowns in five NFL seasons. Pettigrew said part of the reason he wanted to stay was because hes in "a groove," with teammates such as Stafford. "We got drafted together," he said. "Weve already got that going, and I think thats important. I love the city. Im grateful for being able to be here. The city is going through change, as is the organization. Its just an honour to be a part of that." He tested the market as a free agent before deciding to stay in Detroit. "Of course, the pursuits were real because thats just part of the business," Pettigrew said. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Pettigrew is yet another weapon for Stafford, who already has Johnson and will now have receiver Golden Tate next season. Detroit, with a solid offensive line, should be able to strike a balance in the running game with Reggie Bush in his second season paired with Joique Bell, who was re-signed with a $9.3 million, three-year deal earlier this week. "He gives you a guy that really is a dual threat in terms of being able to handle the end-line blocking on the line of scrimmage, which he does very well," Caldwell said. "Also, obviously, hes a threat in the passing game. When you look at whats going to happen in most cases with the guys that we have on the outside, our inside receivers are going to certainly become a bigger part of our game." Pettigrew is coming off a relatively disappointing season, which probably cost him some money on the market. He had 41 receptions for 416 yards and two TDs, his lowest numbers in each category since he was a rookie. When Pettigrew was at his best in 2001, he caught 83 passes for 777 yards and five TDs -- all career highs -- and helped the franchise end an 11-year post-season skid. Pettigrew said he spoke to some members of teams new staff, including Caldwell. "Hes already told me he wants me to step up and be in that role of a leader and coming out to accept that," Pettigrew said. "Ive been here long enough, and I agree with him. He seems like a great guy. So, Im looking forward to getting back." The Lions next significant move may be finding a starting safety to play alongside Glover Quin, who was signed last year as a free agent, to replace Louis Delmas. They seem to be interested in adding veteran safety James Ihedigbo, but he left team headquarters without a contract after a visit Thursday. Ihedigbo made 99 tackles last season, ranking second on the Baltimore Ravens, and had three interceptions after not picking off one pass in his first five NFL seasons. He started 16 games last season and 12 games in 2011 for the New England Patriots and ranked fifth on the team in tackles. He spent his first three seasons in the league with the New York Jets after making the team in 2008 as an undrafted rookie. Detroit, desperate for success with only one playoff victory since 1957, also hopes Ndamukong Suh will sign a new contract to avoid having the defensive tackle count more than $20 million against the salary cap in 2014. Cheap Patriots Jerseys . Team officials travelled to Los Angeles on Thursday night to meet with the free agent, a person with knowledge of the plans said. Patriots Jerseys China .Carla Fontes hadnt cut her hair since intermediate school, but her coach at Waiakea High School, Stan Haraguchi, thought the locks flowing below her waist were interfering with the sport. https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/. PAUL, Minn. Stitched Patriots Jerseys . Colorado came up big against Chicago last spring, and repeated that performance Tuesday night. Varlamov stopped 36 shots and Paul Stastny had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche in a 5-1 victory over the Blackhawks. Patriots Jerseys 2020 . This weeks Raptors Report puts a bow on Gays brief, 10-month tenure in Toronto and ponders how his absence will affect the teams offence. Are they a better team without him? In addition to acquiring some valuable cap flexibility, what impact will the four incoming players have this season and beyond? Click here for the Dec.TORONTO - Senior Toronto FC players say the speculation about star striker Jermain Defoes future is just part of the game. "This is football," midfielder Michael Bradley told reporters Tuesday. "When you look around the world — big clubs, big players — theres speculation. Theres things that go on behind the scenes, in some cases that you guys never even know about. "To be honest, it interests and, in some ways, fazes you more than us. Because this is something that we understand is part of our job." Added captain Steven Caldwell: "Theres always offers and movement in any football club that Ive ever played at, in fact any football club in the world. These things happen. Jermains here, hes a great lad, a great professional and a very good football player and Im sure hell be back here shortly once he gets over his (groin) injury and hell be prepared to give 100 per cent to Toronto FC." Toronto turned down a club-record transfer bid for Defoe from an English Premier League club on Monday as the transfer window closed. Harry Redknapp, manager of Queens Park Rangers, said his team tried hard to pry Defoe free but was told Toronto would not give him up ahead of the MLS playoffs. Redknapp, who worked with Defoe at West Ham, Portsmouth and Tottenham, said Defoe wants to return to England. Toronto GM Tim Bezbatchenko denied that, saying his star forward is happy in Toronto. Defoe, who is nursing his injury in England, has yet to speak publicly on the future. The next transfer window is in January. "We only want guys at this club that are committed to being here and whose hearts are in it," said Bradley. "Jermain has been a guy from Day 1 who when hes here has shown a desire and an excitement and a real motivation to not only being here but to helping this team win. "I can only speak for myself but Im no different." The speculation over Defoe continued to swirl Tuesday in England. The Daily Teleggraph reported the 31-year-old England striker is believed to be concerned he made a mistake by moving to MLS and that the standard of soccer is not as good as he had hoped.dddddddddddd The paper added that Defoe has struggled to adapt to his new life and was upset at the weekend firing of manager Ryan Nelsen and five members of his coaching staff. Bradley, meanwhile, repeated his commitment to the cause as he recalled his excitement at the challenge that lay ahead when he and Defoe were introduced as Toronto FC players in January. "Those might have been just words to you guys but it was exactly what I meant," he said. "I didnt expect it to be easy and it hasnt been. But weve made good progress and were going to continue to make good progress. And everyone whos here is proud of what were doing." Both Caldwell and Bradley, who has been captaining the MLS side in the Scottish defenders injury-enforced absence, said they were disappointed at the weekend firings. "Any time somebody loses their job, its not a nice thing," said Bradley. "And certainly for us as players, you always feel responsible when results and things within a club dont go well. Because at the end of the day, we are the ones on the field." "These decisions get made," said Caldwell. "Ive been in the game long enough, and Ryans been in long enough, to understand that these things happen. "We look forward. Im a Toronto FC player, Im fully committed to the job whoever the manager is and looking forward to an exciting and tough run-in (to the season) where we have to show our collective spirit and personality and strength and makes sure that we get in these playoffs and were firing at the right time to do well in them." Toronto (9-9-6) stands fourth in the Eastern Conference and remains in playoff contention. But the team has won just three of its last 13 games (3-5-5) as it prepares to play in Philadelphia on Wednesday. ' ' '