The Detroit Lions are hopeful they have put together a roster ready to contend in 2015. After another roller coaster season, the time is now for the Lions to make a run. With aging players on the roster, their window is small to win big and 2015 will be a crucial step in that direction. That means the pressure is on certain players to step up and be the threat Detroit thought they would be and Eric Ebron is first on the list.
According to the Detroit Free Press, 2015 is a crucial year for Ebron. The tight end was selected in the first round last year with the expectations that he would develop into a Jimmy Graham hybrid. That did not happen. Ebron's rookie season was filled with more frustrations than celebrations, something he vows to change.
"It is what it is," Ebron said, per the team's official website. "I kind of overhyped that situation myself not exactly knowing what kind of situation I was going into or which team I was going to get drafted to. It is what it is. It happened. (My) rookie year is over and the only thing you can do is progress. It's just all about progressing now. There's a lot of things to get batter at. Now that you understand the game plan in the NFL, it's all about improving on that. I'm dying for OTAs this offseason."
Ebron has been putting in the work with Matthew Stafford this offseason and the quarterback told the media that he likes what he sees in the tight end. As OTAs kick off on Tuesday, Ebron is a storyline to watch as several players on the offense are on the chopping block. According to NFL sources, if Ebron does not step up in 2015, he could be at risk of a trade or release as 'bust' will be his permanent label. With Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate returning, the pressure is on players like Brandon Pettigrew, Ryan Broyles and Corey Fuller to prove they belong.
The same can be said for the run game. After releasing Reggie Bush, Joique Bell was the expected starter, but the Lions drafted Ameer Abdullah along with getting an improved Theo Riddick that has the roster uncertain. According to MLive.com, Abdullah is expected to make a real run at the starting spot as the Lions could favor the rookie in 2015.