Lions like TE FitzSimmons
By Mike O'Hara FitzSimmons began camp as the starting tight end. In the second week of practice, he is still at the top of the depth chart. "I knew coming into camp that I'd be running with the ones," FitzSimmons said. "It's not like you're the starter. They're running me with the ones to get some work. You won't catch me complaining about that. "I'm getting in there, getting reps, working with the ones and trying to prove myself -- that I can play with the ones and against the ones." The depth chart is an example of how tight ends aren't necessarily the highest picks from the biggest colleges. Tight end is one of the most difficult positions to play -- and one of the hardest to predict based on a player's background. Draft status, or lack of it, does not guarantee success or condemn a player to failure. FitzSimmons played eight-man football at Chester (Mont.) High. He went to Carroll College in Montana -- the Fighting Saints won the 2002 NAIA national title. FitzSimmons was not taken in the 2003 draft, and the Lions signed him as a free agent. Marcus Pollard, the starter for the Lions in 2005, grew up in Valley, Ala., and went to Bradley, where he was a starter -- on the basketball team. Pollard did not play college football. He led the Lions with 46 receptions in 2005. Even as a rookie, FitzSimmons was never awed by being in a pro camp, and it became clear he had a future. Now he's realizing it. "He's a quiet surprise, I guess," coach Rod Marinelli said. "Mike (offensive coordinator Martz) really liked him. He just caught his eyes. He had great hands and movement and catching the ball. There's a savvy to him. "The knock on him has always been his blocking. The big part of that is wanting to do that." Marinelli isn't concerned about FitzSimmons' background. It makes for a good story, but has no relation to what happens with the Lions. "Martz was at tight end himself," Marinelli said. "I think he's got a great feel for that position and what he wants. "It's a unique position. It's a very versatile position." FitzSimmons likes the versatility in Martz's offense. It could play into his versatility. "It's not just being in there on a passing situation," said FitzSimmons, a part-time starter the last three seasons who had 10 receptions in 2005 with an average of 3.9 yards a catch. "It's being able to run-block and hold the block and being able to get down the field and catch the ball. You're not just getting 4-yard routes, 5-yard routes. You're catching the ball on 15-, 20- and 25-yard routes. "You can see we're moving around a lot, motioning a lot, shifting. It's always putting you in the best situation to win."
The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK -- Casey FitzSimmons is at the point where the humble beginnings of his career are a footnote in his status with the Lions.
FitzSimmons isn't taking his position for granted, but working with the No. 1 offense hasn't surprised or overwhelmed him.
