Addressing Misconceptions Of Detroits Eric Ebron Pick

[jonathanlambert33]

The Detroit Lions' first-round draft pick of Eric Ebron has not been met with a lot of positivity thus far. CBS gave the pick a C+ (the worst grade given out for a first-round pick this year), Walter Football also gave them a C+ and here at Pride Of Detroit the pick only has a 55% approval rating. To put that in perspective, only one team in our community mock draft had a lower approval rating in the first round.

While there are legitimate reasons to criticize this pick, I have seen a lot of arguments that don't make sense or are just flat out wrong. Let me clear up these misconceptions:

http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2014/5/9/5699342/eric-ebron-misconceptions-lions

 

[Giantmetfan07]

I don't think it was a great pick, but I don't think it's as bad as they're all making it out to be. He does fit a need and is certainly an improvement over Pettigrew. And like it said, if they adopt an offensive style similar to the Saints then he's a very good fit there. Regardless, they needed another target for Stafford. 

 

[BwareDWare94]

I personally think the Lion have put more than enough around Stafford, ESPECIALLY considering the potent combo they have at RB. 

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I think the pick would be a lot less questioned if Detroit hadn't signed Pettigrew to a 4 year deal, but it's only for 4 mill a year and Ebron is a clear upgrade.

 

[RipCity32]

Pretty sure we can cut Pettigrew for almost no salary hit after this season too. 

 

[bosoxlover12]

Pretty sure we can cut Pettigrew for almost no salary hit after this season too. 

....no


It's $3M of a cap hit if you cut him after this year

 

[RipCity32]

It is next year, my fault. Most of his guaranteed money is going to be paid in the first two years of the deal. And with the salary cap jumping as it is projected to be, it wouldn't be much of a loss. 
But either way it is a modest contract.

 

[bosoxlover12]

If you cut him anytime between today and the end of the season, it's a $5.2M hit. If you cut him before March 2015, it's a $3M cap hit (most likely option, as they save $2.8M)

 

[RipCity32]

Yes. That is why I said "it's next year, my fault."

 

[bosoxlover12]

I posted during your edit lol

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I'm not so sure the Lions really even have any intentions of cutting Pettigrew, you would have to think when they signed him last month that they knew of their interest in Ebron. With the added emphasis on two TE sets Ebron and Pettigrew are a nice duo. That Fauria kid doesn't seem like a plug either.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

I read this as "miscontraceptions"
 
 
But I like Ebron a lot and that's saying something considering how much I hate UNC

 

[bosoxlover12]

I think what Detroit is doing, or at least should be doing, is creating a variety of offensive alignments.
 
The base offense will be a '21' package: Tate out left, Pettigrew inline left, Ebron slot right, Johnson out right, Bush in the backfield.
 
Then you have the '31' package, which I think will be their most dangerous set: Ebron slot left, Fauria offline left, Pettigrew inline right, Johnson out right, Bush in the backfield. This opens up playstyles similarly to what the Patriots ran 2 years ago. You have a super strong WR and 3 tight ends out there on the field. The main focus of this offensive set is to give the ball to Bush. You run the ball until the defense gets tired or they stack the line of scrimmage. That's when Bush gets motioned out far left. You now have a 5 receiver look, versus a stacked line. You'll probably have a linebacker trying to cover Fauria, and thats the mismatch they take advantage of. Likewise, they throw the ball often in the '31', and then when they put in their nickel defense, you run the ball. Do that a couple of times, and then throw in the PA, and the defense is done.
 
They'll run the '30' package as well, which is the offense above, but without the running game aspect (Tate subs in for Bush). This will be their strongest passing options.
 
 
I really do think the Lions offense will be deadly, as it replicates a lot of what Lombardi used in New Orleans.
 
 
• You have the strong armed QB (although Stafford isn't nearly as good as Brees, he is still very good)
• You have the athletic receiving TE (Ebron, Graham), and the blocking-reciever TE (Pettigrew, Watson)
• You have the receiving back (Bush, Sproles), as well as the power back (Bell, Thomas)
• You have the route running #2 WR (Tate, Moore)
• You have your most dependable receiver (Johnson, Colston)
 
They have all the concepts the Saints used, plus the addition of Joseph Fauria as a gigantic receiving target. I don't see how the Lions fall out of the Top 5 in offense this year. I also find it hard to believe all the Vikings fans that actually believe they will win their division, since they are by far the worst team in that division

 

[RipCity32]

Nice post Bosox.
We really have replicated their offense.