The Detroit Lions have signed free agent tight end Michael Gaines, who is coming off the best season of his four-year NFL career.

The 6-foot-3, 277-pound Gaines made 25 catches for 215 yards and two touchdowns in his only season with the Buffalo Bills.

Prior to arriving in Buffalo, Gaines spent the previous three seasons with the Carolina Panthers.

Gaines is expected to be used primarily as a blocking back, since the Lions are looking to improve their running attack.

His signing was announced on Monday.

See more at www.9and10news.com

• New Lion Cliff Avril goes one-on-one with Rod Marinelli
• Millen: No serious offers for Roy Williams; Marinelli has 'really good plan for him'
• Lions' exhibition games move to Channel 62
• Lions sign LB Alfred Fincher
• Rod Marinelli: Lions must focus on scoring in draft's later rounds
• Colletto hopes Lions draft running back
• Marinelli rebuilding for the long-term
• Lions sticking to guns on Roy
• Detroit Lions sign free agent TE Michael Gaines
• Offensive lineman L.J. Shelton scheduled to visit this week
• Detroit Lions Must Draft a Lineman
• With a talented tight end, Martz plans to use him
• Answering e-mail: Is trading Rogers just a ruse?
• Sanders believed he would get to Super Bowl with Lions
• Lions hire Michigan's Scot Loeffler
• 2008 NFL Draft Preview: Detroit Lions' Wishlist
• Five memories from Lions' season
• Johnson knows he's got work to do
• MICHIGAN SPORTS IN REVIEW: The top moments of the year
• Monday QB: Lions vs. Chargers
• Taking It All In
• Williams could be lost for season
• Lions' Woody will start at tackle
• Kowalski on WDFN: Expect more Johnson this week
• Key play: Calvin Johnson touchdown
• DREW SHARP: Lions screwed up draft by taking Calvin Johnson instead of Adrian Peterson
• Martz says it's about the players, not the playcalling
• Marinelli and his staff get an 'A'; high marks go to Kitna, D-line
• Brown making up ground on Anderson
• Chicago vs. Detroit
• Calvin Johnson shows why Lions made him No. 2 pick in the draft
• NFL Insider: Vikes' Peterson draws comparisons to top backs
• Lions head into bye with glass half-full and half-empty viewpoints
• Jones says second half shows he can play; Calvin Johnson used sparingly
• NFL Preview - Detroit (3-1) at Washington (2-1)
• Redskins' CBs face tall order in stopping Lions' potent passing attack
• Marinelli hopes to have WR Johnson back for Redskins game
• Marinelli thinks Calvin Johnson will play vs. Bears, plus other injury updates
• Calvin Johnson declared day-to-day with a bad bruise on lower back
• Lions receiver Johnson beating rookie curve
• Calvin Johnson's goals: Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowl; Viking: 'He’s like Randy Moss'
• Vikings have history on side; cornerback wants to fluster Calvin Johnson
• Johnson takes it all in stride in Lions debut
• Raiders' Fabian Washington expects the Lions to throw at him on Sunday
• Calvin Johnson not named a starter ... yet
• Calvin Johnson: Will See Action in Preseason Finale
• Lions-Colts recap: It's not all bad
• Martz: Calvin Johnson hits the wall, but he should progress quickly
• Calvin Johnson's Already Getting the Calls
• Lions' Johnson, Sims and Alexander all make future NFL Dream Team
• Rookies best in small portions
• Lions' Johnson shines in NFL debut
• Rookie WR Johnson has grasp of new job
• Signs point to Johnson, Lions getting closer
• Johnson negotiations pick up a bit
• No deal, no Johnson
• Johnson, other draft picks remain unsigned
• Johnson may miss practice
• ESPN's Scouts, Inc ranks Lions WRs No. 5 in the NFL
• Draft Day Interview With Calvin Johnson
• Ex-Bulldog's star rising at Carolina
• Hawks should have taken Conley
• Team report: Detroit Lions
• Optimism
• Top 50 Countdown: No. 42 Georgia Tech
• Motown Lodown
• Calvin Johnson: Gets Rave Reviews
• Ex-Falcon Brezina gets the word out about faith
• Falcons should’ve tried to get Johnson
• Johnson works out with first team, Stanton takes second team snaps.
• Safety switch on for Gaddis
• These rookies will make an instant impact
• Gaddis would love to be like Dawkins
• Another opener with Notre Dame not fun for Gailey
• Lions QB Gets 1st Look at Calvin Johnson
• 2007 Buccaneers Re-Tool for the Future
• Should the Cowboys Have Traded Up for Calvin Johnson?
• Calvin Johnson, Lions wrap up 3-day minicamp
• Lions Draft: Millen's Madness Leads Calvin Johnson to Detroit
• NFL Draft 2007
• Lions choose Calvin Johnson
• Though highly-touted, wide receivers' impact usually minimal
• "Looking Back" On The 2007 NFL Draft: Calvin Johnson The Star
• Rank and file
• Calvin Johnson: Ready For NFL Reception
• Lions Could Draft Calvin Johnson Just to Trade Him
• Tech moves on without Johnson
• Angling for Johnson and the top quarterbacks
• Road to the Draft: Calvin Johnson
• Raiders need to take best player, and that's WR Johnson
• Calvin Johnson named ACC Offensive Back of the Week
• Impact Player: Calvin Johnson
• Miami aims to counter Calvin Johnson
• Containing Calvin Johnson not enough for Miami's cause
• Calvin Johnson - The Definition of "Playmaker"
• Calvin Johnson: Can receiver win Heisman?