Ebron comes into the best situation as a TE.

[lionstop1]

Simply said; Ebron comes to the Lions in position to succeed.

Its my job, as a Lions fan to come in here and tell you what the haters won't. Reality always gets brushed under the rug somehow as we attempt to criticize and complain. While we are sitting here comparing players to other players, playing psychic and all, lets take a look at some other facts and factors that may set Ebron apart from TEs of the past.

Could there be a better team for a hybrid TE of Ebron's caliber to walk into? Julius Thomas probably knows a thing or two about coming into a great situation. As rare as they are, other great TEs cant say the same.

Vernon Davis came in the league with the likes of Arnez Battle, Antonio Bryant and Trent Dilfer and a young Alex Smith at the helm. Some even considered that group good. Antonio Gates came in with Reche Calwell, David Boston, Tomlinson and Flutie at QB. Jimmy Graham was blessed enough to have Bush, Meacham, Colston, Henderson and a great QB in Brees. I'd say Thomas and Graham were pretty damn fortunate...

But then there's the Lions roster.

Lions have the best, most feared offensive player in the league in Megatron. They add a sure-handed WR in Golden Tate. They have two RBs that compliment each other well in Bush and Bell. A complete TE in Pettigrew. A strong-armed QB in Stafford. Is that not a situation that heavily favors Ebron and one that should ease the minds of fans?

Suddenly fans set unrealistic expectations and ask for high levels of production.

Given the situation, where is the concern? Pettigrew managed to set a Lions record for receptions a couple years back and he's average. Fauria,* a undrafted rookie,* pulled 7 tds out of his ass and somehow got 18 receptions in between. Kris Durham had 38 catches and faced team's 2nd best CB.

The average, production-wise, for young stud TEs is no more than 25 catches, 413 yards and 3 tds. Are we suggesting Ebron can't beat these numbers?

Ebron won't be asked to do be a hero in the offense, but he will have a important role. Teams won't stop rolling coverage towards Megatron as fans suggest. But isn't that the ideal situation for Ebron? Single coverage? Never, ever having to face a team's #1 CB? Running routes against LBs that cant cover?

Are we really worried about production?

 

[jayfan]

I'm not sure I get what you're saying. No one's expecting Ebron to be superman, I don't think. We certainly don't need him to be. He's a huge upgrade, weapon-wise, over Pettigrew by just standing on the field. All ask is that he catches the ball when it's reasonably thrown to him.

 

[gandydancer]

Given the situation, where is the concern? Pettigrew managed to set a Lions record for receptions a couple years back and he's average. Fauria,* a undrafted rookie,* pulled 7 tds out of his ass and somehow got 18 receptions in between. Kris Durham had 38 catches and faced team's 2nd best CB.

The average, production-wise, for young stud TEs is no more than 25 catches, 413 yards and 3 tds. Are we suggesting Ebron can't beat these numbers?

Ebron won't be asked to do be a hero in the offense, but he will have a important role. Teams won't stop rolling coverage towards Megatron as fans suggest. But isn't that the ideal situation for Ebron? Single coverage? Never, ever having to face a team's #1 CB? Running routes against LBs that cant cover?

Are we really worried about production?

Yes, I am. Just as much they say he will drop balls as in college. You say it is not college and has better QB and blah blah blah....
When I said teams will not roll coverage to him. He will never be #1 option in Detroit. He has to make it hurt. So yes, there should be a certain level of production from him. You can not say it will happen. So I am still worried. Got to prove it to me on field not paper.

Basically I am seeing Ebron as Watkins pre draft from you. You love the selection. Then some of the same that hated Watkins will hate it. We can have 12 different threads started on Ebron. Nothing will change.

Bottom line...until September rolls around nothing will change on either side.

 

[themuzzer]

Well Vegas odds makers have us around 22 of 32 teams to win the SB......Welcome to the bottom 3rd of the league, were use to it. I trust Vegas way more then any website or analyst or pundit that have an agenda. Vegas only has one agenda and that's to make money, and that's why I trust them more then any so called expert on tv or interweb.

 

[jayfan]

Well Vegas odds makers have us around 22 of 32 teams to win the SB......Welcome to the bottom 3rd of the league, were use to it. I trust Vegas way more then any website or analyst or pundit that have an agenda. Vegas only has one agenda and that's to make money, and that's why I trust them more then any so called expert on tv or interweb.

Our odds are about the same as they were last year at this time. Which is about what they should be.

 

[gandydancer]

I'm not sure I get what you're saying. No one's expecting Ebron to be superman, I don't think. We certainly don't need him to be. He's a huge upgrade, weapon-wise, over Pettigrew by just standing on the field. All ask is that he catches the ball when it's reasonably thrown to him.

Exactly, we all understand what he brings to the table. Until he shows me he can bring it, he has done nothing.

I get what he brings. I have from the moment his name was called.

 

[gandydancer]

Well Vegas odds makers have us around 22 of 32 teams to win the SB......Welcome to the bottom 3rd of the league, were use to it. I trust Vegas way more then any website or analyst or pundit that have an agenda. Vegas only has one agenda and that's to make money, and that's why I trust them more then any so called expert on tv or interweb.

They were right about us last year and most likely this year. Take a look at the post draft odds from last year. Always trust them???
2014 Super Bowl odds: 49ers, Broncos favored after NFL Draft - SBNation.com

The playoff teams started
Panthers 65/1 . Packers 12/1
Chiefs 60/1 . Saints 18/1
Iggles 55/1 . Squawks 9/1
Chargers 50/1 . Pats 8/1
Bengals 35/1 . Broncos 7/1
Colts 40/1 . 49ers 6/1

Funny how Falcons and Texans 18/1 and 17/1 way off. Easy to put odds on top 4 or 5 teams.

5 to 6 new teams make playoffs every year on average. I have hope every year til say week 8.

 

[themuzzer]

Come on Gandy....Give respect to Vegas, they don't predict injuries and that's why the Falcons and Texans weren't there......Bet you they will be this year....Those two teams don't suck, they had injuries.....

I'm talking significant injuries.....When Julio Jones goes down and Roddy White goes down for the Falcons....That's not a reflection of the team, that's a reflection of tough shit, stars getting injured hurts......

If Calvin Johnson or Stafford tears a ACL, I'm pretty sure our chances go to 0.

 

[broncosmitty]

Calvin maybe.

 

[lionstop1]

This is just a reaction from everything I've seen. I write when I get bored.

 

[gandydancer]

Calvin maybe.

No love for numba 9

 

[themuzzer]

Calvin maybe.

I would say Suh, but let's face it, he's DT.....He goes down that doesn't effect the team as near as Stafford going down.


Otherwise DT would command on all teams would command 20 mil a year.....We just happen to have one that thinks he does.

It's time to cut ties.....It's not popular, but tough shit, he's a anaconda strangling the budget. Suh doesn't care about you me or anyone else....He cares about getting paid. I like guys that want rings and championships......Get what we can can for him. I'm done with him....Can he play football? Ofcourse, he can play it very well, but again he's a DT......I don't pay my Bullpen big money, damn if I'm going to pay DT big money.

 

[broncosmitty]

I would say Suh, but let's face it, he's DT.....He goes down that doesn't effect the team as near as Stafford going down.


Otherwise DT would command on all teams would command 20 mil a year.....We just happen to have one that thinks he does.

It's time to cut ties.....It's not popular, but tough shit, he's a anaconda strangling the budget. Suh doesn't care about you me or anyone else....He cares about getting paid. I like guys that want rings and championships......Get what we can can for him. I'm done with him....Can he play football? Ofcourse, he can play it very well, but again he's a DT......I don't pay my Bullpen big money, damn if I'm going to pay DT big money.

Get it all out muzz, Im here for ya buddy. [ame]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QvccyANdjnk[/ame]. So are the Cancan girls.

 

[Rollingthndr]

Fauria,* a undrafted rookie,* pulled 7 tds out of his ass and somehow got 18 receptions in between.

My question is this... If Fauria got 7 td's and was undrafted. Shouldn't Ebron have considerably more his rookie year since he is a top ten pick?

 

[Rollingthndr]

I don't pay my Bullpen big money, damn if I'm going to pay DT big money.

Do you own a baseball team or is bullpen another word for prostitute?

 

[jdwills126]

My issue is the thought process of fans that say we didn't need Lewan because of Waddle. But neglect the why did we need Ebron when we got Fuaria argument, and I would not call pulling 7 TDS out of his ass, one maybe, two ok but the guy showed a knack for big red zone catches.

Not that Lewan would have made the fan base 100% happy.

You can make the same argument about Tre Mason or Beckham walking into an ideal situation with the chance to be successful as well so I am not sure I embrace your point.

If any fan doesn't think this pick comes with huge shit piles to navigate around they are kidding themselves. Ebron has a huge ceiling but has a low floor as well. If he doesn't show NFL blocking skills, or improve on his 11% drop rate he could well become another bust.

I hope the kid pans out, I desperately want to see the Lions get to the Superbowl and blowing first round picks set the Lions further and further behind. IMO they are still feeling the effects of Millen's incompetence.

 

[Microwahevo]

My question is this... If Fauria got 7 td's and was undrafted. Shouldn't Ebron have considerably more his rookie year since he is a top ten pick?

I wouldn't expect more per se, as Fauria was a very good red zone target. But that's about all he was. Where we should hopefully see big improvements in Ebron from Faurias numbers are between the 20's.

 

[Microwahevo]

My issue is the thought process of fans that say we didn't need Lewan because of Waddle. But neglect the why did we need Ebron when we got Fuaria argument, and I would not call pulling 7 TDS out of his ass, one maybe, two ok but the guy showed a knack for big red zone catches.

Imo, the Lions didn't take Lewan bc of his character issues. He was involved in a cover up of a r*pe as well as an incident where he allegedly punched a fan for no reason. The Lions have been trying to rid themselves of this stigma and taking someone at 10 with those big concerns is a gamble. Not that the entire draft isn't a gamble, but they needed to ensure they hit on this pick and my guess is these concerns help NOT to draft him.

 

[lionstop1]

My question is this... If Fauria got 7 td's and was undrafted. Shouldn't Ebron have considerably more his rookie year since he is a top ten pick?

He will. Plus, he can run.

 

[lionstop1]

My issue is the thought process of fans that say we didn't need Lewan because of Waddle. But neglect the why did we need Ebron when we got Fuaria argument, and I would not call pulling 7 TDS out of his ass, one maybe, two ok but the guy showed a knack for big red zone catches.

Not that Lewan would have made the fan base 100% happy.

You can make the same argument about Tre Mason or Beckham walking into an ideal situation with the chance to be successful as well so I am not sure I embrace your point.

If any fan doesn't think this pick comes with huge shit piles to navigate around they are kidding themselves. Ebron has a huge ceiling but has a low floor as well. If he doesn't show NFL blocking skills, or improve on his 11% drop rate he could well become another bust.

I hope the kid pans out, I desperately want to see the Lions get to the Superbowl and blowing first round picks set the Lions further and further behind. IMO they are still feeling the effects of Millen's incompetence.

Fauria didnt start and Waddle did. Fauria is basically a red zone target and not much more. Why would fans be so worried about production in this case? Why would they expect so damn much given how the average rookie TE performs in the first year?