Eric Ebron:
Detroit Lions snap counts: Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick shoulder RB load against Vikings (With Brandon Pettigrew out with injury, tight end Eric Ebron got a heavy workload, playing 72 of the team's 78 offensive snaps.) (9-21-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_snap_counts_amee.html
PFF DET-MIN Grades: poised Bridgewater, pass rush lead the Vikings (WR Calvin Johnson (-0.9) saw 17 targets and, as mentioned above, they were heavily concentrated into the coverage of Xavier Rhodes (13 of them). That makes it all the more interesting that WR Golden Tate (-0.6 receiving) and TE Eric Ebron (-0.2) combined for 18 targets and each managed catches into the coverage of five different defenders.) (9-21-15): https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/09/21/det-min-gradespoised-bridgewater-pass-rush-lead-the-vikings/
NOTEBOOK: Defense missing DeAndre Levy (Tight end Eric Ebron is having a nice start to his second season. After recording four catches and a touchdown in San Diego last week, Ebron followed that up with five catches and another touchdown vs. Minnesota.) (9-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Defense-missing-DeAndre-Levy/d98dd256-4231-4933-aa32-129aec2d5e5c
Free Press Lions' report card: Offensive line failed QB, RBs (Receivers/tight ends - C-: Johnson finished with 10 catches on 17 targets, but he had just 83 yards receiving as the Lions didn't push the ball much downfield. Johnson dropped a pass on a 2-minute drive in the first half, but he made a great catch to keep his feet inbounds on his touchdown. Golden Tate drew a holding penalty to wipe out a Stafford run, Lance Moore lost a fumble, and Eric Ebron made a couple nice catches but also bobbled one pass.) (9-20-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/20/detroit-lions-report-card-minnesota-vikings/72542456/
Detroit News Lions grades: Offensive line failed to protect Stafford (Tight ends - Eric Ebron, while not perfect, continued playing well to open the season, finishing with five catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. Tim Wright’s most notable contribution was a holding penalty. Grade: C) (9-20-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/09/20/lions-grades-offensive-line-neglected-protect-stafford/72538176/
MLive Detroit Lions report card: Minnesota Vikings dominate trench battles to get division win (TEs: B, Eric Ebron hauled in five passes for 43 yards and found the end zone for the second consecutive game, flashing the ability to lower his shoulder and gain some extra yards after contact.) (9-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_report_card_minn.html
Lions postgame: Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson among few bright spots in loss to Vikings (Eric Ebron – The much-maligned 2014 first-round draft pick had five catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. The five catches and 43 yards were both career-high totals while the TD was his second in 15 career games.)(9-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_postgame_matthew_staffor.html
Detroit Lions sink to 0-2 after ugly loss against Vikings (Highlights - Eric Ebron quietly had another good game, catching five balls for 43 yards and one touchdown. That's after leading the Lions in receiving last week, and adding another score. His two touchdown grabs already surpass what he managed all last year.) (9-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_sink_to_0-2_afte.html
Detroit Lions notes: Calvin Johnson gets involved; Ebron too (Once again Eric Ebron got off to a slow start. It looked like he deflected a pass intended for Golden Tate on the Lions’ first play from scrimmage. Ebron though redeemed himself with a second solid game. He had five catches (10 targets) for 43 yards and scored on a 12-yard pass late in the fourth quarter. He stretched his 6-foot-4 frame to make that touchdown.) (9-20-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150920/detroit-lions-notes-calvin-johnson-gets-involved-ebron-too
RECAP: Lions at Vikings (The Lions got a late touchdown catch by Eric Ebron — his second in as many weeks — to pull within 26-16, but failed in the two-point try essentially ending any chance for a comeback.) (9-20-14): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/RECAP-Lions-at-Vikings/cbc3876d-601a-4747-a395-585865e21744
Video - Lions Matt Stafford finds Eric Ebron for 12-yard TD (9-20-15): http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000534605/Lions-Matt-Stafford-finds-Eric-Ebron-for-12-yard-TD
Pettigrew, Levy miss full week of practice (Eric Ebron will start at tight end and the newly acquired Tim Wright will be his backup.) (9-18-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_brandon_pettigrew_deandr.html
NOTEBOOK: Issues correctable; Austin likes his defense (Next Man Up - Tim Wright was brought to Detroit via trade to add another weapon to the tight end room. With starter Brandon Pettigrew dealing with a hamstring injury, there’s a good chance Wright could be called upon to play a bigger role on Sunday. If that turns out to be the case, he’s ready and willing. Wright's been taking a lot more reps this week, obviously, and is looking forward to seeing what he can do in the offense. He was inactive last week. Wright, like Ebron, is a pass-catching tight end, who can stretch the field. It’ll be interesting to see how the Lions might utilize them both in a two tight end set, if they decide to put that in the game plan. "We can stretch the field," Wright said of how his game complements Ebron's. "We can block on the perimeter and block the edge. I just think if we listen to our coaches they'll put us in good positions so we can get it done.") (9-17-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Issues-correctable-Austin-likes-his-defense/3a0cf434-ba3a-49c8-9c16-ea947027ad02
10 takeaways from Austin & Lombardi (Lombardi seems to like the trajectory Eric Ebron is on. Ebron had a touchdown and four receptions last week. He also had a drop, which Lombardi called “disappointing” but overall likes where his young tight end is heading.) (9-17-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/10-takeaways-from-Austin--Lombardi/2ca31990-a224-4e62-a8fa-ca3c46aace10
Transcript: Zimmer Addresses the Media on Wednesday (Q: How does Detroit present a different challenge as far as its rushing attack compared to San Francisco’s? A: They’ve got a lot of weapons outside with Golden Tate and [Calvin] Johnson. [Eric] Ebron is a good tight end, he had some catches last week. They’ve got some skill guys in the backfield with [Theo] Riddick and [Ameer] Abdullah, like he mentioned. I’m assuming it will be a different attack. The problems are the same, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do and you’ve got to do it the right way.) (9-16-15): http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Transcript-Zimmer-Addresses-the-Media-on-Wednesday/df72e7a3-1f63-406b-b321-ee931d7339fe
Lions TE Eric Ebron posts solid game after shaky start (Eric Ebron, the Detroit Lions' often-criticized tight end, got his second season off to a strong start in Sunday's 33-28 loss against the San Diego Chargers. Ebron had four catches, including a nicely executed touchdown, on five targets for a team-leading 53 receiving yards. On Monday he showed off yet a little more skill, upping his game in the maturity department and deflecting praise. "It was decent," he said of his game. "Did we win? So what I did does not matter. "I didn't score enough. Obviously I didn't catch enough. So it didn't matter." Despite Ebron's modesty, his contributions did matter. And the way he made them were just as significant, since he had a shaky start after he let the first ball thrown his way — Matthew Stafford's short pass toward the sidelines — slip through his fingers on third down. "I misjudged it," Ebron said. "It was a terrible play by me. Great ball by Matt. Just misjudged it, and that happens. "I'm not going to catch every pass that's thrown to me. But that happens. As long as I rebounded back and I did what I did, that's cool." After that drop, Ebron was flawless. He caught an 18-yard TD on a nice seam route that put the Lions up, 21-3, in the second quarter. "That play only works if you've got a respectable running game," Ebron said, "and so I've got to give it up to Ameer (Abdullah) and Joique (Bell) for providing us with the run game for such a sell to bite to make the play work. That only works with the quarterback doing a great sell and our running backs doing a great sell for me to be open." In the fourth quarter, Stafford went to Ebron on consecutive downs for gains of 14 and 7 yards, including one catch that came on a tough, low ball. "I thought he caught the ball well," coach Jim Caldwell said Monday. "Other than the one (drop) on the sideline there, he was able to make some very difficult catches: a shoestring catch, obviously did well in terms of securing the ball. "In terms of the touchdown pass, ran a good route. You know, he did some things well and it's good to see.") (9-15-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/14/detroit-lions-eric-ebron/72289702/
Snap counts: Linebackers must produce to play (Tight ends: Eric Ebron (30 of 47), Brandon Pettigrew (21). Analysis: Ebron is clearly the top option at the position. Pettigrew is primarily a blocker as he had just one target while Ebron had five with four catches and a team-high 53 yards receiving.) (9-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/14/snap-counts-linebackers-must-produce-play/72258958/
Josh Katzenstein's Four Downs: Calvin Johnson cast adrift (First down - Meanwhile, the Lions hardly tested the Chargers deep, and Eric Ebron was the leading receiver with four catches for 53 yards.) (9-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/09/13/josh-katzensteins-four-downs-johnson-cast-adrift/72237068/
O'hara's Burning Questions: What caused Lions' downfall? (Q. E for Ebron: Should that have been considered a drop on a pass to Ebron in the first quarter? A. You mean the ball that went through his hands when he cut to his left toward the sideline? That one? Yes. That was a drop. Q. A for Ebron: Was that a good recovery on his TD catch in the second quarter? A. You mean the 18-yard catch when he was open down the middle? That one? Yes, it was a catch he needed, and one the offense needed. Opportunities like that to get a gift touchdown don’t come along often. When they do, you have to take advantage, and Ebron did.) (9-13-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara-burning-questions/article-1/OHARAS-BURNING-QUESTIONS-What-caused-Lions-downfall/725dd961-ab3e-4ecc-aa0e-d2ca7c432186
3 Lions Q's with Drew Sharp: Blame front office for loss (Is wide receiver Calvin Johnson still a member of this team? It was hard to tell Sunday. He caught only two passes and was targeted only four times. The defensive attention on Johnson creates other potential single-coverage mismatches elsewhere on the field. That's what offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi wants. It's why the Lions' strategy remains surrounding Stafford with as many weapons as possible. And while it's imperative that Stafford not force-feed the football to Megatron, it did appear that he was unnecessarily ignored. Only four targets is simply unacceptable. But, hey, tight end Eric Ebron had a decent game with a team-high four catches and a touchdown.) (9-13-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/detroit-lions-three-questions-drew-sharp/72234738/
Lions ticker: Good start leads to usual unsurprising end (Fox color analyst Charles Davis, on Eric Ebron's wide-open second-quarter TD catch: "No one needed that more than Eric Ebron. Drops last season, his first play of the game is a drop, they come back to him off of a play-action fake … and he hauls it in.") (9-13-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/detroit-lions/72235104/
Why didn't the Detroit Lions throw to Calvin Johnson more? (Quarterback Matthew Stafford used to force the ball into a lot of Johnson double-coverages back in the day, but the new staff has instructed him to progress through his reads to find the open guy instead. That led to a lot of parity in the targeting, with Golden Tate leading the way with eight. He caught four of those balls, which tied him with tight end Eric Ebron and tailback Ameer Abdullah for a team high in receptions. Tate and Ebron (five) both had more targets than Johnson, while Abdullah had as many as him (four).) (9-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/why_didnt_the_detroit_lions_ta.html
Lions' Jim Caldwell tells radio network: Too many mistakes in loss to Chargers (Calvin Johnson, who had a big catch early, had two receptions for 39 yards. Eric Ebron led all Lions receivers with four catches for 53 yards and a touchdown.) (9-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_jim_caldwell_on_radio_to.html
Detroit Lions notes: Ameer Abdullah impressive; Glover Quin keeps string alive (Ebron's career day. Tight end Eric Ebron got off to a rough start when he was targeted with a sideline pass and couldn’t haul it in. Then he redeemed himself with four catches for 53 yards. Both numbers were career highs. He also had an 18-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. It was just his second career touchdown. He was not too happy after the loss, though. “It’s really tough. If we’re going to play like that in the first two quarters we have to play like that in the last two quarters,’’ Ebron said. The Lions held a 21-3 lead with five minutes left in the first half and then allowed 30 unanswered points.) (9-13-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150913/detroit-lions-notes-ameer-abdullah-impressive-glover-quin-keeps-string-alive
Free Press Lions' report card: Poor marks for linebackers, receivers (Receivers and tight ends - C-: Eric Ebron led the Lions with four catches for 53 yards, but he dropped a would-be third-down conversion on the Lions' second possession. Ebron's 18-yard touchdown came against a blown coverage midway through the second quarter. Golden Tate didn't appear to be on the same page with Stafford on several plays, and there's no reason Calvin Johnson should ever be targeted just four times in a game.) (9-13-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/detroit-lions-report-card/72236260/
Detroit News Lions grades: Coaches failed to recalibrate (9-13-15) (Tight ends: Eric Ebron led the Lions with four catches for 53 yards, including a nice 18-yard touchdown. Unfortunately, the only one of his five targets he didn't haul in could certainly he categorized as a drop. Brandon Pettigrew had one target and zero touches. Grade: C.): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/lions-grades-coaches-failed-recalibrate/72233574/
MLive Detroit Lions Grades: Defense flops, RB Ameer Abdullah shines as team withers in San Diego (Tight Ends: C+. Eric Ebron dropped a third-down throw in the first quarter that would have resulted in a new set of downs had he made the grab. Instead, the Lions were forced to punt. He made up for it in the second quarter, snagging an 18-yard touchdown down the seam on play action. Like Tate and Johnson, Ebron disappeared during the middle of the game, but added a couple late grabs to lead the team in receiving.) (9-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/grading_the_detroit_lions_san_1.html
S.D. 33, Detroit 28: Lions melt in season-opening loss (Aside from Abdullah's touchdown run, the Lions counted on their defense and special teams to build their early lead. Glover Quin returned a Rivers interception off a tipped pass 31 yards to give the Lions a 14-3 lead, and Stafford hit Eric Ebron with an 18-yard touchdown pass four plays after a long return to give the Lions a 21-3 lead. But Danny Woodhead's 9-yard touchdown run cut the Lions' lead to 21-10 just before halftime and the Chargers dominated play in the second half. Ebron led the Lions with four catches for 53 yards.) (9-13-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/detroit-lions-san-diego-chargers/72226862/
Chargers, with 30 straight points, shred Lions defense (On the next play, Stafford hit Eric Ebron for an 18-yard touchdown down the seam as he was running wide open, giving the Lions a 21-3 lead with 8:49 left in the first half.) (9-13-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/chargers-straight-points-shred-lions-defense/72227852/
Halftime analysis: Detroit Lions' offense looks impressive against Chargers (The Detroit Lions averaged 5.9 yards when they rushed the ball. They hit six different players when they passed it. One, Eric Ebron, scored a touchdown. Needless to say, the Lions' revamped offense has been as billed while jumping to a 21-10 halftime lead in Sunday's opener against the San Diego Chargers. The Lions haven't been flawless, including an Ebron drop that killed one drive, and a blown protection (probably Riley Reiff) that killed another.) (9-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/halftime_analysis_detroit_lion.html
Rivers rallies Chargers to 33-28 victory over Lions (The Chargers trailed 21-3 after Matthew Stafford threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Eric Ebron midway through the second quarter. Rivers was picked off by Darius Slay in the end zone just before halftime to keep the score at 21-10. Rookie Ameer Abdullah scored easily on his second run, a 24-yarder. Quin's interception return on a poor decision by Rivers and Ebron's touchdown catch made it look as if it was going to be a blowout.) (9-13-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rivers-rallies-chargers-33-28-victory-over-lions-231618580--nfl.html
Video - Stafford to Ebron for 18 yd TD (9-13-15): http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000529346/Lions-Eric-Ebron-18-yard-TD
OPPOSING VIEW: Chargers excited about Melvin Gordon (The Chargers were one of the better defenses in the league against the pass last year, how do they attack the Lions three-headed monster of Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate and Eric Ebron? One of those names is unlike the other to me. But maybe I'm underselling Ebron in his second season. I mentioned Verrett earlier. He'll have to do really lock down, whether it be on Johnson or Tate. But that really goes for the entire Chargers secondary. Tate is so good after the catch; he moves like a running back. Swarm him. It can't just be one guy. Same goes for Johnson. One defender isn't enough to cover someone with his size and athleticism. It'll take a group effort. You can't afford any breakdowns against a receiving corps this good.) (9-12-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/OPPOSING-VIEW-Chargers-excited-about-Melvin-Gordon/38cd4a46-9867-4b62-bd5b-f5e4da465192
Seidel: 13 reasons why these Lions could be tremendous (A bust-out season for a bust. To this point, Eric Ebron has been a bust (only 25 catches last season). Last season, he was overwhelmed with this offense. But he is set up to make a giant stride this season. Shoot, just knowing the offense is an improvement.The Lions are loaded with weapons. This "New Orleans" offense needs a lot of receivers to work. In 2011, Brees threw for 5,476 yards, had 46 TDs and a 110.6 QB rating. That season, six different Saints had at least40 receptions, and the Saints finished 13-3. By comparison, the Lions only had three players catch 40 balls or more in 2014. But this season, Abdullah, Johnson, Tate, Ebron, Joique Bell and Theo Riddick all have the potential to catch at least 40. Add some production out of Corey Fuller, and the Lions could put up some amazing numbers.) (9-12-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/12/detroit-lions-matthew-stafford-ameer-abdullah/72159440/
Ask Kyle: On how much Ameer Abdullah, Zach Zenner will play for Lions (Q: Is there a scenario where Eric Ebron doesn't take control on No. 1 TE role? — Jacob Hirschmann. A: Sure there is, but you won't like it. Ebron is the Lions' most-talented tight end, and he should be the team's third pass-catcher behind Golden Tate and Calvin Johnson. Brandon Pettigrew is fine. Who knows what Tim Wright is. But we know what Ebron is, which is a target big enough and fast enough to hurt you in the seam. Listen, I know there's a lot of consternation about Ebron, and I get it. He disappointed last year, at least as compared to those who were drafted around him. But he was an immature kid trying to play maybe the second- or third-most difficult position for first-year players. Bad combo. But he's been humbled. He did all the right things this offseason. He's looked awesome in practice. He should be good, and I'll be surprised if he's not. Q: Who do you think stands out in this first game? — @MGoJohnStamos. A: As for those who are not football gods, I expect standout games from Eric Ebron and Darius Slay.) (9-12-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/ask_kyle_on_how_much_ameer_abd.html
Lions injury report: Warford, Reid out; Levy doubtful (Tight end Eric Ebron and linebacker Tahir Whitehead are probable to play after being limited in practice earlier this week by ankle and elbow injuries, respectively.) (9-11-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/11/detroit-lions-injury-report/72063188/
Samuelsen: 5 Lions Poised For Breakout Season (Eric Ebron: Go ahead. Let me have it. I’m not predicting great things for Ebron, I’m merely pointing out the following factors that make him a candidate to break out. First, by all NFL scouting accounts, he is a talented player. The Lions drafted him 10th, but there were plenty of other teams that had him there too. Second, his rookie year humbled him a bit and he clearly has something to prove. Nothing wrong with a little motivation. Third, it’s year two for everyone on offense in the Joe Lombardi system. This might make Matthew Stafford more comfortable and it should make Ebron more comfortable, too. I’m certainly not justifying that pick (I still hate it). I’m just saying that there is a reason that the Lions made the pick (and it’s not just because they’re the Lions).) (9-11-15): http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/09/11/samuelsen-5-lions-poised-for-breakout-seasons/
PRACTICE REPORT: Lions still without three players (Tight end Eric Ebron (ankle) was limited in practice on Wednesday, but he was back to being a full participant on Thursday. The same goes for linebacker Tahir Whitehead (elbow) and starting right tackle LaAdrian Waddle (elbow). Waddle has one more day to prove he’s ready to resume starting duties at right tackle. If not, the Lions will go with Cornelius Lucas on Sunday.) (9-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider-short/article-1/PRACTICE-REPORT-Lions-still-without-three-players/306e08b6-a45b-4ea6-bb21-a8a23aaefa60
10 takeaways from Austin and Lombardi (Lombardi and the offense were a bit reserved last year, putting greater value on limiting turnovers and playing complementary football. They still want to play complementary football, but Lombardi said he trusts his players much more in year two to go out and be more aggressive down the field. With Stafford’s big arm throwing to Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate and Eric Ebron, the Lions certainly have the weapons to be a more explosive unit. “Listen, if the defense is still holding everyone to 10 or 13 per game, I hope we win 30-10 instead of 20-10,” Lombardi joked.) (9-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/10-takeaways-from-Austin--Lombardi/919e6e78-baba-460e-9083-20213bd92
10 QUESTIONS WITH TWENTYMAN: Who will lead Lions in rushing yards? (Q. How big is Ebron's role going to be?? I feel the explosiveness of Off. is tied to him & the RB position. A. I expect Ebron to play a big role in the offense this year. He should be the team's third-leading receiver behind Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate. He's at a point in his career now where he's playing instead of thinking, which allows his natural athleticism to shine through. He has the ability to get open with his size and speed. Instead of being a progression read for Stafford there are plays designed into this offense to take advantage of the vertical threat Ebron can be. He'll make his fair share of plays this year.) (9-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/10-QUESTIONS-WITH-TWENTYMAN-Who-will-lead-Lions-in-rushing-yards/2159f189-a647-479a-9483-78201d96e08f
Ebron learning from Johnson: 'He's like my big brother' (9-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Ebron-learning-from-Johnson-Hes-like-my-big-brother/4ef46519-a1e2-4996-bf6c-88f6887b55db
Eric Ebron, LaAdrian Waddle, Tahir Whitehead all full participants for Thursday's practice (9-10-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/eric_ebron_laadrian_waddle_tah.html
Players Who Could Make Breakthroughs In 2015 (Offense - Eric Ebron, TE, Lions. Ebron caught only 25 passes as a rookie, but now is the time for him to step ahead of Brandon Pettigrew to become an added focal point in Detroit's passing game. Defense - Ziggy Ansah, DE, Lions. Ndamukong Suh is gone and someone must emerge in the Motor City. Look for Ansah, who is relatively new to the sport, to be that rising star in Detroit and to get double-digit sacks.) (9-10-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/players-could-breakthroughs-2015-071355237--nfl.html
Video - What are realistic expectations for Eric Ebron, Calvin Johnson? (9-10-15): http://www.freep.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/10/71997256/
Lions' Ebron fueled to improve on frustrating rookie year (9-9-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/detroit-lions-eric-ebron/71982420/
Will Levy (hip) play in Lions' opener? 'We'll see' (Linebacker Tahir Whitehead (elbow), and right tackle LaAdrian Waddle (elbow) and tight end Eric Ebron (ankle) were limited. While Ebron and Whitehead will both likely start Sunday, it’s unclear whether or not Waddle is ready to take over for Cornelius Lucas after missing most of the offseason.) (9-9-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/-levy-play--lions-opener-well-see/71951708/
Humbled Ebron could be X-factor in Lions' offense (9-9-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/humbled-eric-ebron-could-be-x-factor-in-lions-offense/71955064/
Detroit Lions notes: DeAndre Levy injury could be serious, per report (Ebron Confident - Eric Ebron expects much more of himself in his second season. He is not alone. The Lions tight end got off to a sluggish start as a rookie, so much more is expected when the Lions season opens Sunday at the San Diego Chargers. “No one’s expectations are higher than mine, no matter who sets them or what people may think,’’ Ebron said on Wednesday. “My expectations are always through the roof because I believe I can achive that no matter what. I’m just looking forward to Sunday, I can go out there have fun and enjoy what I’m doing.’’ With Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate as one of the top receiving duos in the NFL, Ebron’s job is clearly defined. “My job is to take stress off them and that’s what I’m going to do,’’ said Ebron who was limited in practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury. That is the reason the Lions drafted him in the first round in 2014. “He stretches down the field. He can get on the other side of the ball even if Golden and I are on one side, he can stretch the field on the other side,’’ Johnson said. “He can go deep, play underneath, he’s coming into his own as a good blocker. So, the kid, he has a lot of upside.” Johnson said he can notice a difference in Ebron. “When guys are flying in and out of the huddle, he’s one of those guys,’’ Johnson said. “Last year he might be out there communicating or asking somebody, ‘What do I have?’ He has a better hold of everything that he’s doing whether it’s blocking game or pass games. Really encouraging to see that guy out there flying around.”) (9-9-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150909/detroit-lions-notes-deandre-levy-injury-could-be-serious-per-report
Video - Ebron on his mentality on the field (9-9-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Ebron-on-his-mentality-on-the-field/57fb770c-3ea3-4531-80a3-4558a9057cf4
Justin Rogers' 8 Detroit Lions predictions for 2015 (Eric Ebron will double rookie production - Ebron predictably struggled as a rookie, catching just 25 passes for 248 yards and one touchdown. History has shown tight ends often make a jump in their second season, and as the most likely player to emerge as the third option in the passing game, expect the 2014 first-round pick to be no different.)
(9-8-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/justin_rogers_8_detroit_lions.html
Five things we learned about the Lions this preseason (The third pass-catcher remains a mystery - There's still no telling who's going to step up as a receiving threat behind the Lions' top two wideouts -- Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate. T.J. Jones, who scored 64-yard touchdown in the preseason finale, was the only wide receiver to cause as much as a ripple this summer. If Corey Fuller and Lance Moore aren't viable contributors, the Lions better hope either second-year pro Eric Ebron or recent trade acquisition Tim Wright turns out to be a game-changer at tight end.) (9-8-15): http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/five-things-we-learned-about-the-lions-this-preseason-090815
O'hara's Monday Countdown: Season Predictions (Matthew Stafford - rising stats, rising stock: The entire offensive unit, Stafford included, should benefit from having a season's experience in Joe Lombardi's scheme. Aside from that, there are a lot of signs that the Lions will have a more potent and efficient unit than last year, when there were too many dead periods. In the passing game, Calvin Johnson is fully healthy. Even at less than full strength more than half of last season, he still led the team with eight TD catches and 15.2 yards per catch. Golden Tate's 99-catch season showed that he was more than a No. 2 complement to Megatron. Tight end Eric Ebron, whose rookie season was a disappointment largely because of his draft position - 10th overall - ought to provide matchup problems because of his speed and strength. The rebuild project in the offensive line must pay off with a stronger running game and better protection for Stafford, who was sacked 45 times last season - the most of any playoff quarterback. Projection for Stafford: He had 22 TD passes against 12 interceptions last year. He should get close to 30 TDs this year, without an increase in picks, and a completion rate higher than his 60.3-percent mark last year.) (9-7-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-MONDAY-COUNTDOWN-Season-predictions/4543d0dd-bb0e-4001-9741-f506f5dbb521
Kyle Meinke's 7 predictions for Detroit Lions' 2015 season (Eric Ebron will be third in receiving - Ebron was relatively quiet in the preseason, with just two catches for 26 yards. But that was mostly a product of Detroit trying to hide what it really wants to do with the tight end, as well as keep him healthy. Make absolutely no mistake: Ebron will factor significantly into the passing game. Johnson and Tate are going to be prioritized by defenses, which means there should be some nice alleys for Ebron to work in the seam and flat. And Ebron, one of the team's most improved players, should have no problem exploiting them. Corey Fuller and Lance Moore have led the derby for the third receiver job, but when it’s all said and done, expect Ebron to be more productive than both of them.) (9-7-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/7_predictions_for_detroit_lion.html
A look at the Detroit Lions' 53-man roster (Eric Ebron: The true X factor this season, the Lions want him to improve enough so he can be devastating in the middle of the field and a true No. 3 option after Johnson and Tate.) (9-7-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18706/linebacker-is-a-deep-group-on-the-detroit-lions-53-man-roster
Where Lions stand at each position after final cuts (Ebron has looked like the playmaker the Lions expected this offseason and will likely be the No. 3 target in the passing game. Pettigrew had a good summer, too, and could be more involved in the pass game than his 15 targets in 2014. Wright's role will likely be red-zone only to start after winning the No. 3 job over Joseph Fauria.) (9-6-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/06/where-lions-stand-at-each-position-after-final-cuts/71813142/
Ranking the 25 players most important to the Detroit Lions' 2015 success (No. 18 -- Eric Ebron: With all the other weapons on the roster, the Lions don't need Ebron to carry the offense, but they do need him to pick up his production and quickly develop into a reliable third option in the passing game.) (9-6-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/25_most_important_players_to_d.html
Ansah, Van Noy back at practice; Levy still out (The Detroit Lions got three injured players back on the practice field today: defensive end Ziggy Ansah, linebacker Kyle Van Noy and tight end Eric Ebron. None of the three played in last week's exhibition win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Ebron was the only one who dressed for the game. Van Noy said Saturday that he was week-to-week with an injury that isn't related to the hip and hernia surgeries he underwent last year.) (8-31-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/31/detroit-lions-practice-injury-report/71477990/
Ebron, Van Noy, Ansah return to Lions practice (Ebron returned to practice last week, but still sat the game for precautionary reasons.) (8-31-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/31/ebron-van-noy-ansah-return-lions-practice/71480294/
Flurry of NFL trades go down; should Lions' Eric Ebron be concerned? (The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded tight end Tim Wright to the Detroit Lions to give them another pass-catching tight end. But isn't that what Eric Ebron, the 10th overall pick of the 2014 draft, was supposed to provide? Wright got off to a nice start early last season with the New England Patriots after coming over in the Logan Mankins deal but was an afterthought down the title stretch. He was waived and claimed by the Bucs, who originally signed Wright after he went undrafted in 2013. Ebron isn't in any trouble for a roster spot, but there is growing concern that he might never fulfill his massive potential — even a little more than a year into his tenure there. But Ebron seems rather unaffected by the news of the Wright deal or his status on the team.) (8-31-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/flurry-of-trades-go-down--should-lions--eric-ebron-be-concerned-152546373.html
Lions’ Ebron sits, Caldwell says he’s OK (8-29-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/29/lions-ebron-sits-caldwell-says-ok/71371114/
Offense shines, defense struggles as Lions win (Tate caught three passes for 91 yards, and tight end Brandon Pettigrew had a nice 20-yard catch on a ball thrown a bit short. Tight end Eric Ebron, meanwhile, did not play as he continues to recover from an undisclosed injury that held him out of practice this week.) (8-28-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/28/offense-shines-defense-struggles-lions-win/71358214/
Who is the featured red zone target for all 32 teams? NFL Nation has the answers (Detroit Lions: Calvin Johnson. His size, speed and leaping ability have led to 58 career receptions and 41 career touchdowns in the red zone. If you're looking for a sleeper, it would be the two tight ends –Eric Ebron and Joseph Fauria. Fauria's size and good hands made him a favorite red zone target for Matthew Stafford in 2013 and seven of his eight career touchdowns have been on red zone passes. Ebron could develop as a favorite in this area as well because of his size and athleticism.) (8-28-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/175970/who-is-the-featured-red-zone-target-for-all-32-teams-nfl-nation-has-the-answers
Loss of Suh leaves Lions defense in tough spot (If the Lions don’t get more out of tight end Eric Ebron, they’ll have no chance at the postseason. Johnson and Golden Tate are a well-fit tandem; Johnson stretches the field vertically while Tate, with his shiftiness and stop/start control, stretches it horizontally. But such contrasting styles also makes a straightforward coverage gameplan more possible. We saw this last season, when opposing defenses regularly put their biggest corner on Johnson (often with safety help) and their quickest (which usually also means smallest) corner on Tate. There has to be a pass-catching weapon who forces defensive coordinators to make difficult decisions about who to put on the field and in what coverages. That’s what the freakishly athletic Ebron was drafted 10th overall in 2014 to be. But as a rookie, Ebron was rough around the edges in just about all facets.) (8-28-15): http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/08/28/detroit-lions-defense-ndamukong-suh-departure-haloti-ngata-nfl-matthew-stafford
Lions’ Ebron, fiancee go ‘separate ways’ (8-26-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/26/lions-ebron-fiancee-go-separate-ways/32415905/
Haloti Ngata gets in side work during Lions practice; DeAndre Levy out (The Lions did get some good news on the injury front, with tight end Eric Ebron returning to practice after missing a couple days.) (8-25-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/haloti_ngata_gets_in_side_work.html
O'HARA'S MONDAY COUNTDOWN: Roster watch (Ebron’s improvement over his rookie season has been obvious. He runs with speed and power, and he could present favorable matchups in any receiver package – including five wideouts. If there’s a decision to go short at wide receiver and add a player to another position – such as running back -- Ebron could fill a receiver spot in some formations, as could Riddick from the running back pool.) (8-24-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-MONDAY-COUNTDOWN-Roster-watch/f00f0d89-7772-4948-881b-0fafd5e183d7
Stafford: Eric Ebron ready for a breakout fall (8-24-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/24/eric-ebron-breakout-season/32284105/
Eric Ebron among 6 starters sidelined for Detroit Lions practice (Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (ankle), linebacker Kyle Van Noy (undisclosed), tight end Eric Ebron (undisclosed) and linebacker Kevin Snyder (hand) also missed practice, while tailback Joique Bell (Achilles/knee) and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (hamstring) remain on the physically unable to perform list. Ebron has missed the past two days of practice, stalling what has otherwise been a good preseason for the tight end. His status for Friday's preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars is in unknown. "I think Eric is having a great camp," quarterback Matthew Stafford said, when asked which offensive players have improved the most since last season. "You know, not just physically, but his understanding of the offense has grown quite a bit." Ansah, Van Noy and Ebron were seen doing some light jogging during the 20 minutes available to the media.) (8-24-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/eric_ebron_among_6_starters_si.html
Detroit practiced without a laundry list of players today (DE Ezekiel Ansah (ankle), TE Eric Ebron (undisclosed), DT Caraun Reid (ankle), RG Larry Warford (ankle), RB Joique Bell (knee/Achilles), DT Haloti Ngata (hamstring), LB Kyle Van Noy (unknown), WR Lance Moore (excused for birth of child), LB Kevin Snyder (hand), CB Crezdon Butler (unknown) and safety Isa Abdul-Quddus (unknown) all did not practice on Sunday. Coach Jim Caldwell said after practice that most of the injuries are minor, although he seemed to express some concern about Van Noy.) (8-23-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_lb_kyle_van_noy_4.html
Jim Caldwell quotes from Sunday's practice (On the recent injuries to TE Eric Ebron and S Isa Abdul-Quddus: "Things that will just take a short period of time for the most part, so nothing too serious.") (8-23-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/23/9194775/jim-caldwell-quotes-sunday-practice
Lions snap counts: Abdullah kept on short tether (Tight end Eric Ebron played 12 snaps, which was a few more than Brandon Pettigrew's seven.) (8-21-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/21/snap-counts-abdullah-kept-short-tether/32125633/
Eric Ebron still isn’t seeing many targets (8-21-15): https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/08/21/eric-ebron-still-isnt-seeing-many-targets/
NOTEBOOK: Swanson won't take starting role for granted (Eric Ebron had a nice back-shoulder catch in the end zone in that 7-on-7 red zone drill with Tulloch in coverage.)(8-18-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Swanson-wont-take-starting-role-for-granted/fd95f7eb-5bea-4729-8de8-007ee434309d
Detroit News Camp observations: Lions' Fauria gets action with first team (Cornerback Nevin Lawson had an excellent practice. On his next turn, Lawson got physical with Eric Ebron and covered him tight for the duration of the deep incompletion.) (8-18-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/18/camp-observations-lions-fauria-gets-action-with-first-team/31940203/
Nevin Lawson ballin' in one-on-ones. Took ball away from Fuller on one route, covered Ebron like a glove (and physically) on another (8-18-15): https://twitter.com/jkatzenstein/status/633714773570531330
Don’t Count on a Second-Year Breakout From Eric Ebron (8-18-15): http://grantland.com/the-triangle/2015-nfl-preview-detroit-lions-eric-ebron/
NOTEBOOK: Slay enjoying competition at practice (The most competitive portion of practice Monday night took place in a situational team drill. The first scenario had the offense at their 33-yard line with 1:30 left in the game with only one timeout and needing a touchdown to win. The first- and second-team defense won both of their periods. The first-team defense beat the first-team offense when Stafford overthrew Eric Ebron down the middle and James Ihedigbo intercepted the ball. The second-team offense went three-and-out.) (8-17-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Slay-enjoying-competition-at-practice/4e111365-8f86-436e-b4ac-9b5e1bab56e9
Camp notes: Could Igwenagu make Lions as TE? (In one-on-one receiving drills, Ebron hauled in a pass that Chris Owens tried to rip out of his hands, though I think Owens jostled the ball enough that had the play gone for review in a game the catch call on the field might have been overturned. Owens, judging by his complaints to the official, would agree.) (8-17-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/17/emil-igwenagu-/31892773/
Detroit Lions training camp notes: Gabe Wright impresses, Greg Salas gets first-team work (Eric Ebron also came up with a long scoring grab during the drill, hauling in a back-shoulder fade while covered by reserve defensive back Chris Owens. The second-year tight end was able to hold on while going to the ground as the corner tried to strip the ball away.) (8-17-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_31.html
ESPN Notes - Lions offense looks sharp in goal-line situations during night practice (Eric Ebron made a tough catch: Again in one-on-one drills, Ebron went over cornerback Chris Owens to snag a touchdown catch. It was good adjustment for the tight end over the much smaller cornerback, but he made the grab in the air and came down with the ball with the defensive back all over him.) (8-17-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18334/detroit-lions-offense-looks-sharp-in-goal-line-offense-during-night-practice
Notebook: Prater Feeling Fresh, Confident For Season (The offense and defense worked in the red zone in one team drill. The offense got touchdown catches from Brandon Pettigrew, Eric Ebron (2) and Greg Salas. Ebron had an easy score against Tahir Whitehead in coverage. Ebron had a nice day overall. Besides the two touchdowns in the red zone drill, he had a deep catch down the sideline with James Ihedigbo on coverage in another team period.) (8-15-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Prater-feeling-fresh-confident-for-season/d5e4c148-9a3b-417a-b14f-efb2e20217ae
O'hara's Burning Questions: What Did The Offense's Opening Drive Mean? (Q. End runs: Who were some of the players and plays that stood out, good and bad? On the plus side on offense, the Lions got first downs on these catches: a short catch that Eric Ebron turned into a 13-yard gain.) (8-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara-burning-questions/article-1/OHARAS-BURNING-QUESTIONS-What-did-the-offenses-opening-drive-mean/1a45ac04-e7c4-41a1-883a-44c04c2db262
Lions ground Jets in exhibition opener (Second-year tight end Eric Ebron caught his only target, taking a short pass over the middle for a 13-yard gain.) (8-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/13/jets-lions-exhibition-season/31660483/
Young Detroit Lions shine in win over Jets (Tight end Eric Ebron caught the only ball thrown his way — a 13-yarder from Moore.) (8-14-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150813/young-detroit-lions-shine-in-win-over-jets
Camp Spotlight: Quarterback Matthew Stafford (Stafford continues to be crisp in all phases of practice. In one-on-one drills against the cornerbacks, Stafford’s lone incompletion of the session was on a deep ball to Lance Moore, where Moore turned to find the ball over the wrong shoulder and couldn’t adjust back in time. He laid the ball right into the hands of Corey Fuller and Golden Tate on deep balls in the one-on-one period. Stafford was a perfect 6-for-6 in the 7-on-7 period. He completed passes to six different receivers – Ameer Abdullah, Moore, Michael Burton, Fuller (deep TD), Theo Riddick and Eric Ebron. The Lions also worked on some 3rd down situational drills against the defense. Stafford was given seven reps on 3rd and 6 and completed 5-of-7 passes. One of his two incompletions went off Fuller’s hands, though it was thrown behind him, and the other was an out route that TJ Jones appeared to slip a little bit out of his break. Stafford was also sharp in the last team drills of practice, distributing the ball around to Brandon Pettigrew, Calvin Johnson, Tate and Ebron for completions. This has been typical of Stafford throughout camp. He’s looked good so far.) (8-11-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Camp-Spotlight-Quarterback-Matthew-Stafford/fd36d5af-f099-46cc-9aaa-9394e3204f4c
Lions' Eric Ebron: Rookie season 'was not a disappointment,' played hurt all year (8-11-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/lions_eric_ebron_rookie_season.html
Video - Ebron on his expectations in his second year (8-11-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Ebron-on-his-expectations-in-his-second-year/af811965-70f3-457f-a08f-08d2bc438991
Video - AskALion: Eric Ebron (8-11-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/AskALion-Eric-Ebron/42b63467-fe55-4351-99b7-20243e02118a
Notebook: Revamped Reid Playing Important Role On D-line (Van Noy made a number of pass breakups in the last few practices, including one on a pass intended for Eric Ebron during an 11-on-11 third-down drill in Monday’s practice.) (8-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Revamped-Reid-playing-important-role-on-d-line/0bf61d8a-3c0c-4e79-a7ef-b2da7f96abc9
Freep Lions camp observations: Michael Burton can block (Van Noy knocked down another pass today in 11-on-11 work when he swatted away a Matthew Stafford pass to Eric Ebron as he face-guarded the tight end on a route down the sideline.) (8-10-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/10/detroit-lions-training-camp-notes/31418325/
MLive Training Camp Notes (A few days after drawing some criticism for his play in pass coverage, Van Noy continued to make plays in that department, breaking up a sideline pass while face guarding tight end Eric Ebron.) (8-10-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_2015_training_ca_10.html
Jim Caldwell's quotes from Monday (On TE Eric Ebron's response to criticism last season and his approach to helping players manage criticism: "We don't necessarily pick out one particular guy in terms of handling all different types of issues. We have to take the holistic approach when we're coaching, so you've got to cover everything. I think they're all making progress, nobody's arrived yet, but I think they listen and they try to improve upon the things in which we feel they haven't done very well." On if Ebron has built a rapport with QB Mathew Stafford: "Yeah, someone mentioned that the other day. I think they were probably counting the number of passes that were thrown in his direction and that kind of thing. But, I think overall I just think systemically they're all getting a better feel for what we expect from them. The reads and progressions kind of lend itself to getting the ball maybe to them a few more times. But, then also I think it's one of those things that against teams that we face we're going to have to look and try to make a determination on whether or not you're going to take Golden (Tate) away and take Calvin (Johnson) away and so that leaves your inside players open a little bit more. So (Theo) Riddick and guys that can catch the ball inside, all of our backs as well as our tight ends are going to have some I think pretty good opportunities.")(8-10-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/11/9128321/lions-training-camp-quotes-jim-caldwell-monday
Ebron building a rapport with Stafford in Lombardi's offense (8-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Ebron-building-a-rapport-with-Stafford-in-Lombardis-offense/0f16ad7d-8195-415e-beb9-2d1971605f22
Lions' Ebron having solid camp, but staying silent (8-10-15): www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/10/detroit-lions-eric-ebron/31410669/
Oakland Press Lions Camp Notes (Tight end Eric Ebron has not had a perfect camp, but has made several good plays. In his second season, he’s developed a better connection with quarterback Matthew Stafford. “We both understand the same thing, we speak the same language. Like coach said, ‘Be the quarterback’s best friend.’’’ Caldwell has noticed the improved communication between the two. “I think overall I just think systemically they’re all get a better feel for what we expect from them,’’ Caldwell said. “The reads and progressions kind of lend itself to getting the ball maybe to them a few more times. But, then also I think it’s one of those things that against teams that we face we’re going to have to look and try to make a determination on whether or not you’re going to take Golden (Tate) away and take Calvin (Johnson) away and so that leaves your inside players open a little bit more so (Theo) Riddick and guys that can catch the ball inside, all of our backs as well as our tight ends are going to have some, I think, pretty good opportunities.”) (8-10-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150810/detroit-lions-notes-manny-ramirez-has-edge-in-experience
Kyle Van Noy with his third pass breakup in two practices, this one vs Ebron. Really responding well to criticism about his pass coverage (8-10-15): https://twitter.com/kmeinke/status/630735369919668224
5 who shined during first week of Lions training camp, and 5 who didn't (Thumbs up: TE Eric Ebron - He vowed to return a better player in 2015, and he appears to have done that in just about every way possible. He’s more diligent in the film room. He’s stalking veterans like Calvin Johnson away from the field. He’s accepting coaching. And, you know, he’s running the right routes, the right way, and getting open consistenly — against a defense that, in case you hadn’t noticed, is pretty good. Detroit wants Ebron to be its third pass-catcher behind Johnson and Golden Tate, and through one week of camp, there’s no reason to believe he can’t be exactly that immediately.)(8-10-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/5_who_shined_during_first_week.html#3
Freep Lions camp observations: Stafford sharp, backups not (Stafford threw a TD to Ebron. He and Ebron appear to be developing a nice rapport. On the Ebron TD drive, Stafford completed 9 of 10 passes, including four to his second-year tight end. The touchdown, to be fair to the defense, probably should have been blown dead as a sack before Stafford got the pass off.) (8-8-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/08/detroit-lions-training-camp-matthew-stafford/31338835/
Lions notes: Unorthodox catching style works for Riddick (Matthew Stafford was consistent and played well, throwing touchdown passes to Calvin Johnson and Eric Ebron.)(8-8-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/08/detroit-lions-theo-riddick/31343639/
Lions flash signs of readiness in sim game (Stafford shined on his next possession, going 9-of-10, with three passes to Ebron, including the capper, a 7-yard throw off a scramble — where Stafford likely would have been sacked in a full-speed game. Ebron had another good day, building on the momentum he's build in the offseason and enhancing the chemistry with Stafford, which could be a key to the offense's success this season.)(8-8-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/08/lions-flash-signs-readiness-sim-game/31351223/
MLive Detroit Lions training camp notes: First-team offense looks good in scrimmage (Quarterback Matthew Stafford was effective, surprisingly leaning on tight end Eric Ebron to move to the chains. Ebron found paydirt as Stafford weaved through traffic in the backfield to find his tight end in the middle of the end zone on third-and-goal from the four-yard line. In total, Ebron caught five passes on six targets. He was particularly effective catching short passes (quick outs, drag routes and even two screen passes) and turning upfield for yards after the catch.)(8-8-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_29.html
Lions TE Eric Ebron causes mismatch problems during strong first week of training camp (8-8-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/lions_te_eric_ebron_causes_mis.html
Oakland Press Detroit Lions notes: Stafford, offense solid in mock game (Eric Ebron continued to have a strong camp. One pass that came his way from Stafford, he tipped up and then caught it himself.)(8-8-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150808/detroit-lions-notes-stafford-offense-solid-in-mock-game
Matthew Stafford, Rashean Mathis shine in Lions mock game (Ebron performs well: By my count, the second-year tight end had five receptions Saturday, including the aforementioned touchdown. He also made one degree-of-difficulty catch in which he snagged it off a little bit of a tip. He did drop one ball, but he had to dive for it so that wouldn’t count, in my opinion. Ebron was used a lot – perhaps even more than normal -- as Joseph Fauria and David Ausberry sat out with injuries. Ebron should count it as a day of progress.)(8-8-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18168/matthew-stafford-rashean-mathis-shine-in-detroit-lions-mock-game-saturday
Jim Caldwell's quotes from Day 6 of training camp (On the chemistry between TE Eric Ebron and Stafford: "You know, I think that when you look at us overall, most teams when they scout us are going to look at Golden (Tate) and obviously Calvin (Johnson), and they have different ways of trying to take those two guys away from you. So your passing game ends up being more one on one. So I think you see some of that out there even during camp. Ebron is getting a little better, and we're still working with him and seeing if he can gain that consistency that we need. But he's certainly making progress, and I think Matthew feels that comfort level with him.")(8-8-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/8/9120797/lions-training-camp-quotes-jim-caldwell-day-6
Stafford just went 9-for-10 on a drive. Ebron caught 4 of those balls, including a 7 yard TD (8-8-15): https://twitter.com/kmeinke/status/630042576867999745
Ebron leading the way for offense with 4 catches on 5 targets. Mostly underneath stuff (8-8-15): https://twitter.com/kmeinke/status/630040587354406913
Ebron working some magic on a tough swing pass & Tapp all over him. Catch drew loud oohs (8-8-15): https://twitter.com/JeffRisdon/status/630039637726203904
Ebron nice snatch away from body, turned it up the sideline quickly (8-8-15): https://twitter.com/JeffRisdon/status/630031561187065856
NOTEBOOK: Bell making progress as he nears return (The first-team offense got inside the 10-yard line on a nice back-shoulder catch from Eric Ebron down the seam, but couldn't punch it in on their final play before time ran out after that catch.) (8-7-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Bell-making-progress-as-he-nears-return/4ba6930b-b3e8-4a15-98ba-fbe30e8bac40
MLive Detroit Lions training camp notes: Defense dominates 2-minute drill work (The first sequence, the offense had to drive 70 yards in 90 seconds, with one timeout, needing a touchdown. Tight end Eric Ebron dropped an open pass down the middle, putting his unit behind early. He bounced back to catch two throws, including a long one in front of linebacker Tahir Whitehead down to the nine-yard line. That reception gave the offense one shot at the end zone with six seconds remaining. There was a miscommunication on that play as Matthew Stafford's passed zipped through traffic to seemingly no one.)(8-7-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_28.html
Ebron with a drop over the middle and then comes back with a good sideline grab in front of Ihedigbo (8-7-15): https://twitter.com/ttwentyman/status/629758745363501056
NOTEBOOK: Fuller consistently making plays in practice (Tight End Eric Ebron had an up-and-down afternoon. He made a terrific catch over linebacker Travis Lewis down the seam, and also made a big play down the left sideline on a broken coverage play, but drops creeped up on him a couple times) (8-6-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Fuller-consistently-making-plays-in-practice/d61dbae9-08c5-4ef1-8fe0-475221a79fdc
Free Press Camp observations: Van Noy struggling in pass coverage (Eric Ebron, who continues to refuse interview requests after practice, had an uneven day. Ebron dropped two passes in one-on-one drills - one out route against James Ihedigbo was thrown a little low and he stumbled on the other route - and couldn't hang onto another 50-50 ball in team drills. He did make a nice leaping catch in between three defenders in seven-on-seven drills. Ebron has plenty of talent, but his inconsistency is maddening.)(8-6-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/06/kyle-van-noy-detroit-lions/31254217/
Detroit News Camp observations: 'Tweaks' sideline Levy, Fauria at practice (Eric Ebron was wide open on a wheel route during 11-on-11 drills, and that's a play that ought to be extremely effective for the Lions this year.) (8-6-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/06/camp-observations-tweaks-sideline-levy-fauria-at-practice/31242329/
MLive Detroit Lions training camp notes: Ryan Broyles gets physical, defense focuses on turnovers (Tight end Eric Ebron let a pair of passes hit the ground today. During one-on-one work, he lost his balance on a jam by the defender, and although he got separation, couldn't bring in the throw after stumbling out of his break. He also failed to haul in a difficult back-shoulder throw from Stafford 15 yards from the line of scrimmage.) (8-6-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_27.html
Eric Ebron with a couple more nice catches today, including one over right coverage from Abdul-Quddus (8-6-15): https://twitter.com/kmeinke/status/629373572960620544
Detroit News Camp observations: For Lions, pads ratchet up intensity (Eric Ebron also had another strong practice, highlighted by a long touchdown in which he blazed by a defensive back that was even with him when he caught a ball.) (8-5-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/06/camp-observations-lions-pads-ratchet-intensity/31201307/
Lions camp observations: Pads come on at Novi HS (Eric Ebron had an early drop, and you could hear a few groans from the crowd, but after that he was on point and made a few nice grabs later on. I really believe that Ebron is going to have a stellar year. He seems really focused.) (8-5-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/6/9106515/lions-training-camp-observations-novi-high-school
Stafford to Ebron for a nice deep completion (8-5-15): https://twitter.com/alex_reno/status/629091880966483968
There's a lot to like about Lions TE Eric Ebron's offseason (8-5-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/martin_mayhew_eric_ebron_start.html
Freep Camp Notes - RB Abdullah impressive again, more (Eric Ebron didn't have any of the mental mishaps that haunted him Monday, and he once again caught every pass I saw that was thrown his way. Ebron has had two good days catching the ball so far. Pads come on Wednesday, so we'll see if the physical play changes anything.) (8-4-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/04/detroit-lions-training-camp-observations/31140041/
MLive Camp Notes (Tight end Eric Ebron didn't make a splash play like he did Monday, but the young tight end had another productive practice. He caught every pass his direction, including a pair of touchdowns in red zone work. The second one was an impressive play by Stafford, who moved off his first read on a rollout and found Ebron coming across the formation despite heavy pressure from the pass rush.) (8-4-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_25.html
Jim Caldwell's quotes from Day 2 of training camp (On TE Eric Ebron: "It looks like he's heading in the right direction. One of the things that's difficult is this arena is different, it's difficult, it's challenging. You have to have everything in order. Your off the field routine in terms of your preparation offseason. Your in-season routine as well, as how you function on the field and be really, really, consistent to be able to perform well in this league. I think he's moving in that direction. He shows that he has ability to play, he's shown flashes, but he's also gotten his body in great shape. He worked extremely hard during both breaks after the season was over with, before coming back in the spring and then during the summer as well, committed. So, I think when you can stack those kinds of years back-to-back-to-back you'll get to the point where you'll have a pretty consistent performance."
On if he believes that Ebron has ‘gotten it': "No, I said he works through it. Nobody's arrived yet. There's not a guy in this league that's arrived. Everybody's getting better. I think you get to the point after a while, if you've been in the league where eight, nine years that guys have a routine down pretty well. Darryl Tapp has a real good routine. Understands the nature of the business. Understands the media. Understands what he's supposed to do in the locker room, those kinds of things. Young guys haven't experienced all those yet, but I think he's headed in the right direction.") (8-4-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/5/9096669/lions-training-camp-quotes-jim-caldwell-day-2
Quotes from Martin Mayhew's Tuesday presser (On TE Eric Ebron: "I see a lot more disciplined, professional, motivated and realistic guy than what I saw last year. He knows what's at stake, he knows what he has to do to be a great pro and I see him doing everything that he has to do to be a great pro. He has been working his butt off to be better than what he was last year." On what Ebron being ‘realistic' means: "The whole thing about the rookie wall and that he wasn't going to hit it, some of those kind of comments were unrealistic. Now, he has a serious focus and is a serious pro. He's come a long way in terms of those kinds of things.")(8-4-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/5/9097637/lions-training-camp-quotes-martin-mayhew
NOTEBOOK: Tomlinson adjusts to left guard (Ebron made a terrific lunging high-point catch over linebacker
Freep Camp Notes (Say what you want about Eric Ebron's hands, but the second-year tight end made the best play on the first day of Detroit Lions training camp today. Ebron made a twisting back-shoulder catch down the middle of the field during seven-on-seven drills, plucking the ball away from linebacker Stephen Tulloch as he fell on his back. "It was a good route," Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said. "Tully was doing a good job staying even with him. Tried to throw it back shoulder to him, he did a great job of pivoting, going up and catching it. And if you're going to be aggressive down the field, you got to have guys make plays, there's no question about it. And that was a good one." Despite the nice catch, Ebron, the 10th overall pick of last year's draft, had a mixed day overall. He didn't have any drops that I saw, the biggest problem that held him back in last year's disappointing rookie season, but he appeared to be at fault for a couple alignment problems that caused the Lions to reset plays. One came in an 11-on-11 drill midway through camp, and another came in a half-speed hurry-up drill at the end of practice. The Lions are counting on Ebron, who caught just 25 passes for 248 yards last year, to be a big part of their offense this fall, and he has to avoid the mental lapses that seemed to dog him today. "He's an explosive guy," Stafford said. "For a guy his size, he's extremely athletic. He wants to be good. He practices extremely hard and is willing to stay after, talk to me anytime he can to try and get tips and all that stuff. So that's all you can hope for. You go from there and see what happens on game day.") (8-3-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/03/detroit-lions-training-camp-observations/31085707/
Ebron's end game is all about improvement (8-3-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/03/ebrons-end-game-improvement/31084893/
Detroit News Camp Notes (The long route to Johnson wasn't the best highlight of practice, though. The best play was in the first 7-on-7 period when tight end Eric Ebron high-pointed a pass over the middle, reeling it in as he fell over linebacker Stephen Tulloch. Ebron also ran a precise slant during the 11-on-11 portion, and Dan Orlovsky delivered a perfectly timed pass that would've been a big gain and potential score with Ebron's speed.) (8-3-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/08/03/camp-observations-rookie-alex-carter-sidelined-ankle-issue/31082849/
MLive Camp Notes (Tight end Eric Ebron, always a focal point, made a pair of nice grabs across the middle of the field. When he snagged a bullet on an intermediate post, a season-ticket holder in attendance sarcastically quipped, "Hey, look what happens when you catch the ball." A couple snaps later, Ebron made a difficult back-shoulder grab over linebacker Stephen Tulloch, leaping and twisting to haul in the Matthew Stafford throw. The reception drew the loudest cheer of the day from those in attendance. I'm unable to confirm if the sarcastic fan was among those who celebrated the impressive catch.) (8-3-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_24.html
Oakland Press Notes (Eric Ebron started training camp definitely on a good note, catching whatever was thrown his way and holding on. Fans noticed and were shouting to him that’s what he needs to do on game days. Like he didn’t know. The 2014 first-round pick was a bit of a disappointment as a rookie, but has been working hard in the offseason. “He’s a talented guy physically he can run, you can see what he can do when the ball gets in his hands,’’ Caldwell said. “The big thing is he’s been working for and is headed in the right direction, he has to get more consistent, that’s the key and I think it’s coming.’’)(8-3-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150803/detroit-lions-notes-ngata-alex-carter-out-ebrons-good-day
ESPN Camp Notes (Eric Ebron looked good: The tight end had the play of the day Monday, leaping over linebacker Stephen Tulloch on a Matthew Stafford pass over the middle for a tough reception. Ebron had to extend his body fully to make the grab -- and frankly it was a reception he might not have caught a season ago or even two months ago. But it showed at least a glimpse of progress and potential promise from the 2014 first-round pick. Both Golden Tate and Lance Moore praised Ebron recently and for at least one day, that promise delivered. The next step is for him to show he can do it consistently throughout training camp and during his reps in preseason games. “He started taking some steps forward late last year,” Stafford said. “I think he’s out to prove to people what he can do. I think that’s the best mentality to have as an athlete is to go out there and just show people what you can do, show people what you worked so hard for. He’s a hard-working kid and we expect good things out of him.”) (8-3-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18047/tight-end-eric-ebron-has-strong-first-day-at-detroit-lions-training-camp
Jim Caldwell's quotes from Day 1 of training camp (On the expectations for TE Eric Ebron: "He's a talented guy. He can run, you can see what he can do when he gets the ball in his hands. The big thing that he's been working for, and I think he's heading in the right direction, he's got to get more consistent. That's the key and I think that's coming.")(8-3-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/4/9091091/lions-training-camp-quotes-jim-caldwell-day-1
Ebron with the catch of the day so far. Went over Tulloch full extension down the middle from Stafford (8-3-15): https://twitter.com/ttwentyman/status/628307594764021760
TE Brandon Pettigrews:
Lions get back Larry Warford, LaAdrian Waddle against Vikings; Devin Taylor a healthy scratch (Detroit's inactives against Minnesota are: Linebacker DeAndre Levy (hip), tight end Brandon Pettigrew (hamstring), defensive tackle Caraun Reid (ankle), receiver TJ Jones, guard Taylor Boggs, offensive tackle Corey Robinson and defensive end Devin Taylor. The loss of Pettigrew puts the Lions in a tough place, because their only other tight ends -- Eric Ebron and Tim Wright -- are mostly pass-catchers. Detroit says fullback Michael Burton will earn the start in place of Pettigrew as an extra blocker.) (9-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_get_back_larry_warford_l.html
NBC analyst Rodney Harrison questions Detroit Lions teammates' respect for QB Matthew Stafford (Harrison's description isn't entirely accurate. The first player to come to Stafford's aid was injured tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who immediately shoved Barr. Rookie guard Laken Tomlinson also got in the defender's face, along with injured linebacker DeAndre Levy. Both Pettigrew and Tomlinson were quickly restrained by tight end coach Ron Prince.) (9-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/nbc_analyst_rodney_harrison_cr.html
Lions' Pettigrew out, Ngata questionable for Vikings (The Detroit Lions will be without tight end Brandon Pettigrew for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings, and two of their top three defensive tackles are questionable because of injuries. Pettigrew is listed as out on the Lions' official injury report after straining a hamstring while blocking on an extra point in last week's loss to the San Diego Chargers.) (9-18-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/18/lions-vikings-injury-report/72414026/
Pettigrew, Levy miss full week of practice (9-18-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_brandon_pettigrew_deandr.html
Levy, Pettigrew miss Lions practice; Ngata, Tate return (Tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who strained a hamstring in last weekend's loss to the San Diego Chargers, also missed practice today, though he said he was feeling better as he strolled through the locker room.) (9-17-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/17/detroit-lions-injury-report/32567169/
Lions' DeAndre Levy, Brandon Pettigrew miss practice again, might not play against Vikings (But Detroit remains without linebacker DeAndre Levy (hip) and tight end Brandon Pettigrew (hamstring), which poses some problems. At tight end, the Lions have some depth issues if Pettigrew can't go. They dressed only two tight ends against San Diego, and Pettigrew is easily their best blocking tight end. Tim Wright, acquired in a trade during the final week of the preseason, likely will be activated against Minnesota if Pettigrew is limited in any way. But he's more of a pass-catcher, so it's possible the Lions also sign somebody who can block at that position.) (9-17-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_deandre_levy_brandon_pet.html
PRACTICE REPORT: Stafford listed as full participant (Sitting out practice for the Lions were linebacker DeAndre Levy (hip), defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (shoulder), receiver Golden Tate (quad) and tight end Brandon Pettigrew (hamstring).)
(9-16-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider-short/article-1/PRACTICE-REPORT-Stafford-listed-as-full-participant/8a2f3dda-ffc8-4e57-a052-c140d8cd1e3c
Lions notes: Differing pass strategies work in S.D.'s favor (Cornerback Darius Slay limped off the field on San Diego's final touchdown drive with a right ankle injury, and tight end Brandon Pettigrew left clutching his hamstring after the Lions' final extra point. Caldwell said he did not know the extent of either player's injury immediately after the game, and Pettigrew declined to talk about his hamstring and instead referenced next week's game against the Minnesota Vikings.
"Don't ask me questions you know that I can't answer," Pettigrew said. "I can answer it, but I'm not, how about that?") (9-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/14/detroit-lions-calvin-johnson/72239436/
Lions extra points: Overheard, talking points and more (Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew: "There were a couple of adjustments they made that we could have picked up, especially in the run game. We could have hit them. Big. Those are missed opportunities. We really just have to review them. There's no reason that we couldn't have stacked up some points.") (9-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/14/detroit-lions-overheard-talking-points/72239012/
Snap counts: Linebackers must produce to play (Tight ends: Eric Ebron (30 of 47), Brandon Pettigrew (21). Analysis: Ebron is clearly the top option at the position. Pettigrew is primarily a blocker as he had just one target while Ebron had five with four catches and a team-high 53 yards receiving.) (9-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/14/snap-counts-linebackers-must-produce-play/72258958/
NOTEBOOK: A pair of starters leave game with injuries (A pair of Lions starters left Sunday’s opener in San Diego with injuries. Cornerback
Quarterback
Lions’ Slay, Pettigrew go down with injuries (The Lions lost in devastating fashion in the season opener Sunday, and when they return, they’ll see if there’s more bad news on the way. In the fourth quarter of a 33-28 loss to the Chargers in which the home team scored 30 straight points, the Lions lost two starters to injury, tight end Brandon Pettigrew and cornerback Darius Slay. Pettigrew also struggled to get off the field with an apparent hamstring injury following the extra point on the Lions’ final touchdown during the final two minutes. After the game, Pettigrew declined to describe what was ailing him. “I don’t know what happened,” he said. Coach Jim Caldwell also declined to provide an update, but one should be available Monday or later this week.) (9-13-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/lions-slay-pettigrew-go-injuries/72231010/
A look at the Detroit Lions' 53-man roster (Brandon Pettigrew: He’s the Lions’ best blocking tight end and will likely see the field on a majority of snaps.) (9-7-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18706/linebacker-is-a-deep-group-on-the-detroit-lions-53-man-roster
Where Lions stand at each position after final cuts (Ebron has looked like the playmaker the Lions expected this offseason and will likely be the No. 3 target in the passing game. Pettigrew had a good summer, too, and could be more involved in the pass game than his 15 targets in 2014. Wright's role will likely be red-zone only to start after winning the No. 3 job over Joseph Fauria.) (9-6-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/06/where-lions-stand-at-each-position-after-final-cuts/71813142/
Lions' Lombardi, Stafford revisit non-PI call (9-5-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/05/lions-lombardi-stafford-non-pi-call/71770032/
Offense shines, defense struggles as Lions win (Tate caught three passes for 91 yards, and tight end Brandon Pettigrew had a nice 20-yard catch on a ball thrown a bit short. Tight end Eric Ebron, meanwhile, did not play as he continues to recover from an undisclosed injury that held him out of practice this week.) (8-28-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/28/offense-shines-defense-struggles-lions-win/71358214/
Detroit Lions notes: Run game up to speed in win over Jaguars (Brandon Pettigrew caught his first pass of the preseason - a 20-yarder from Stafford.) (8-28-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150828/detroit-lions-notes-run-game-up-to-speed-in-win-over-jaguars
Lions snap counts: Abdullah kept on short tether (Tight end Eric Ebron played 12 snaps, which was a few more than Brandon Pettigrew's seven.) (8-21-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/21/snap-counts-abdullah-kept-short-tether/32125633/
NOTEBOOK: Swanson won't take starting role for granted (Brandon Pettigrew had a nice catch in the 7-on-7 red zone drill vs. Don Carey.)(8-18-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Swanson-wont-take-starting-role-for-granted/fd95f7eb-5bea-4729-8de8-007ee434309d
Notebook: Prater Feeling Fresh, Confident For Season (The offense and defense worked in the red zone in one team drill. The offense got touchdown catches from Brandon Pettigrew, Eric Ebron (2) and Greg Salas. Ebron had an easy score against Tahir Whitehead in coverage.) (8-15-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Prater-feeling-fresh-confident-for-season/d5e4c148-9a3b-417a-b14f-efb2e20217ae
Recap: Lions Vs. Jets (Play of the game: There’s been a lot of talk in Allen Park about Abdullah bringing the big-play back into the Lions’ run game. The team finished 28th in rushing last year, averaged just 3.6 yards per carry and had only six rushes of 20-plus yards. On just his third carry, Abdullah went outside the right tackle, made one cut, and sprinted off 45-yards to the Jets 37-yard line. Abdullah got terrific blocks from tight end Brandon Pettigrew and receiver Lance Moore to help spring him. The play helped lead to a 28-yard Matt Prater field goal to give the Lions a 10-3 lead.): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/RECAP-Lions-vs-Jets-/382f4afe-6052-45d1-b2c6-def8c9daa732
Freep Camp Notes - Lions offense sloppy with preseason opener on deck (The second-team offense, which will see plenty of action Thursday, had a few botched snaps with Kellen Moore at quarterback and too many penalties (Corey Robinson had two false starts himself) in a progressive team period where they struggled to move the ball against their top three defensive units. "Today we did a lot of good things, but it was maybe our worst day when it came to penalties on offense," offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said. "Pre-snap penalties, unforced errors, which we hate, and then those botched snaps is something that we hate, too. Those are unacceptable, (unsatisfactory), and we'll get them fixed." Moore actually salvaged one of the bad snaps, which came on back-to-back plays early in practice, when he picked up the loose ball and flipped a short pass to tight end Brandon Pettigrew. On the next play, Moore was forced to throw the ball away out of bounds.) (8-11-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/11/detroit-lions-training-camp-observations/31494755/
ESPN Camp Notes (Moore had back-to-back botched snaps during a team period Tuesday, but recovered well enough during one to complete a pass to Brandon Pettigrew.) (8-11-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18218/matthew-stafford-continuing-to-have-strong-camp-for-detroit-lions
Notebook: Revamped Reid Playing Important Role On D-line (The second-team offense had a much better go of it. It was able to score three times on touchdown passes from Dan Orlovsky to Corey Fuller, Jeremy Ross and Brandon Pettigrew.) (8-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Revamped-Reid-playing-important-role-on-d-line/0bf61d8a-3c0c-4e79-a7ef-b2da7f96abc9
Lions notes: Unorthodox catching style works for Riddick (Stephen Tulloch delivered a big hit on Brandon Pettigrew. )(8-8-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/08/detroit-lions-theo-riddick/31343639/
Detroit News Camp observations: Williams pleased with progress at RT (Tight end Brandon Pettigrew made a nice catch, too, against good coverage from Tahir Whitehead.) (8-7-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/07/camp-observations-williams-pleased-progress-rt/31326693
NOTEBOOK: Team player Brandon Pettigrew embracing all roles (Four seasons ago tight end Brandon Pettigrew was targeted 126 times by quarterback Matthew Stafford and finished that 2011 season by catching 83 passes for 777 yards and five touchdowns. That seems like a long time ago now given Pettigrew’s most recent role in the passing game. Pettigrew’s targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns have declined every year since that 2011 season. Last year, he was targeted just 15 times and caught 10 passes. The Lions needed Pettigrew to play a much different role last year, and being the team player that he is, Pettigrew accepted it without question, even if that meant being less of a factor as a receiver. “Everyone knows I’m a team guy and I’ll always be a team guy,” Pettigrew said. “I’m going to embrace the role these guys give me. It’s a blessing to be in this position and I’m going to take full advantage of it.” The signing of receiver Golden Tate and the drafting of tight end Eric Ebron has moved Pettigrew down the totem pole of receiving options for Stafford. Still, the Lions value Pettigrew for the versatility he provides them as a blocker and a receiver, whichever they might need him for on a week-to-week basis. “I think he is one of those guys that he does exactly what’s required of him, what’s asked of him and he certainly can do more,” head coach Jim Caldwell said.
“The year before he caught several more passes and things of that nature, but I think whatever we ask him to do he’ll be able to do. There’s only one ball. There’s only so many passes. We’ve got a lot of guys that want it and need it and so we’ll try to spread it around a little bit.”) (8-4-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Team-player-Brandon-Pettigrew-embracing-all-roles/275880f7-af33-437b-9d4b-58c6727765b6
Jim Caldwell's quotes from Day 2 of training camp (On TE Brandon Pettigrew: "I think he is one of those guys that he does exactly what's required of him, what's asked of him and he certainly can do more. The year before he caught several more passes and things of that nature, but I think whatever we ask him to do he'll be able to do. There's only one ball. There's only so many passes. We've got a lot of guys that want it and need it and so we'll try to spread it around a little bit.") (8-4-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/5/9096669/lions-training-camp-quotes-jim-caldwell-day-2
Video - Pettigrew on the upcoming season (8-4-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Pettigrew-on-the-upcoming-season/bbdd8248-b29c-46b2-9336-91fb5a106b83
TE Jordan Thompson:
Lions transactions address injured players (The Lions made transactions with a couple of their young injured players Monday. Tight end Jordan Thompson, who suffered a significant knee injury in Thursday’s exhibition against Washington, cleared waivers and is now on the team’s injured reserve list, which means he won’t count against the 90-man roster. The 6-foot-4, 256-pound Thompson is in his second season with the Lions after going undrafted out of Ohio. He spent most of 2014 on the practice squad but appeared in two games after a wave of injuries hit the tight end group.) (8-25-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/25/injured-detroit-lions/32316747/
Caldwell provides little on Warford, Reid ankle sprains (One injured player about whom Caldwell did provide a legitimate update was tight end Jordan Thompson, who needed the assistant of two trainers to walk off the field in the fourth quarter. "Jordan Thompson's injury is pretty significant, so it'll be a little while," Caldwell said, adding the second-year player underwent an MRI Friday.) (8-21-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/08/21/caldwell-provides-little-warford-reid-ankle-sprains/32150363/
Lions snap counts: Abdullah kept on short tether (Jordan Thompson played eight snaps before his knee injury) (8-21-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/21/snap-counts-abdullah-kept-short-tether/32125633/
Detroit Lions notes — Orlovsky, Moore continue battle to be No. 2 QB (Also later in the game tight end Jordan Thompson went out with a knee injury. Again, no update from Caldwell.) (8-20-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150820/detroit-lions-notes-x2014-orlovsky-moore-continue-battle-to-be-no-2-qb
O'hara's Burning Questions: What Did The Offense's Opening Drive Mean? (Q. End runs: Who were some of the players and plays that stood out, good and bad? On the plus side on offense, the Lions got first downs on these catches: a seven-yard gain by Jordan Thompson.) (8-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara-burning-questions/article-1/OHARAS-BURNING-QUESTIONS-What-did-the-offenses-opening-drive-mean/1a45ac04-e7c4-41a1-883a-44c04c2db262
MLive Detroit Lions training camp notes: First-team offense looks good in scrimmage (Kyle Van Noy, who has struggled in pass coverage during camp, had two breakups in the back end. The first deflected off his arm while he face-guarded tight end Jordan Thompson.)(8-8-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_29.html
Jordan Thompson with a bad drop. Nice throw between layers by Kellen Moore (8-8-15): https://twitter.com/JeffRisdon/status/630038279010820096
Van Noy with a beautiful deflection on a cross to Thompson. He's looked pretty good in coverage so far (8-8-15): https://twitter.com/alex_reno/status/630038285667205120
TE Tim Wright:
Free Press Lions' report card: Offensive line failed QB, RBs (Special teams - C: Abdullah had one nice kick return (32 yards), but the Lions didn't get much out of their special teams overall. Tate returned one punt for 2 yards before giving way to Moore, and there was a coverage breakdown on Marcus Sherels' 31-yard punt return. Tight end Tim Wright was called for holding on the Vikings' first punt, and Matt Prater made his only field goal (26 yards).) (9-20-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/20/detroit-lions-report-card-minnesota-vikings/72542456/
Detroit News Lions grades: Offensive line failed to protect Stafford (Tight ends - Eric Ebron, while not perfect, continued playing well to open the season, finishing with five catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. Tim Wright’s most notable contribution was a holding penalty. Grade: C) (9-20-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/09/20/lions-grades-offensive-line-neglected-protect-stafford/72538176/
MLive Detroit Lions report card: Minnesota Vikings dominate trench battles to get division win (Special Teams: D, The return game never got going and new tight end Tim Wright got hit with a holding call that buried the Lions deep in their own territory early in the game. The coverage units were also underwhelming, allowing Marcus Sherals to get free for a 31-yard punt return. And for the second week in a row, the Lions had almost no chance to recover Sam Martin's onside kick attempt.) (9-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_report_card_minn.html
Audio - Lions podcast: TE Tim Wright's whirlwind trip through NFL (9-19-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/19/detroit-lions-podcast-tim-wright/72465370/
Pettigrew, Levy miss full week of practice (Eric Ebron will start at tight end and the newly acquired Tim Wright will be his backup.) (9-18-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_brandon_pettigrew_deandr.html
NOTEBOOK: Issues correctable; Austin likes his defense (Next Man Up - Tim Wright was brought to Detroit via trade to add another weapon to the tight end room. With starter Brandon Pettigrew dealing with a hamstring injury, there’s a good chance Wright could be called upon to play a bigger role on Sunday. If that turns out to be the case, he’s ready and willing. Wright's been taking a lot more reps this week, obviously, and is looking forward to seeing what he can do in the offense. He was inactive last week. Wright, like Ebron, is a pass-catching tight end, who can stretch the field. It’ll be interesting to see how the Lions might utilize them both in a two tight end set, if they decide to put that in the game plan. "We can stretch the field," Wright said of how his game complements Ebron's. "We can block on the perimeter and block the edge. I just think if we listen to our coaches they'll put us in good positions so we can get it done.") (9-17-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Issues-correctable-Austin-likes-his-defense/3a0cf434-ba3a-49c8-9c16-ea947027ad02
Tim Wright waits for his opportunity with Lions (For the first time in his NFL career, tight end Tim Wright was inactive Sunday. In 2013, he played all 16 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and last year with the New England Patriots, he appeared in every game, too. Yet, in Week 1 with the Lions, Wright was among the seven players who did not dress for the game as they went with Eric Ebron and Brandon Pettigrew as their only two tight end options. In Week 2, though, Wright could play a big role as Pettigrew is dealing with a hamstring injury. Pettigrew missed practice Wednesday, which makes his availability for Sunday’s matchup at the Minnesota Vikings uncertain. Wright said he’s not sure exactly sure why he was inactive, but he trusts the Lions’ coaches. He doesn’t know if being with the Lions for just a couple of weeks played a role in the decision, but thinks he’s done well to learn the scheme since being traded to Detroit by the Buccaneers on Aug. 31. “I feel like I’m picking it up,” he said. “Now that my role may be picked up a little more, whatever they throw at me, I’ve just got to digest it and apply it to the game.” When the Lions traded for Wright, it seemed like his most likely role would be as a red-zone threat because of the presence of Ebron and Pettigrew, but he said he’s been working on every aspect of the tight end playbook in practice. If Pettigrew misses the game, the Lions likely will use a sixth offensive lineman as a blocker at times because Ebron and Wright aren’t stellar blockers. But the Lions rotate all of their skill position players, so Wright certainly would have some opportunities. As a rookie in Tampa Bay, he had 54 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns, and last year he had 26 catches for 259 yards and six touchdowns for the Patriots. Not playing Sunday wasn’t a completely foreign feeling, though. “I redshirted freshman year in college (at Rutgers), so it kind of felt like that a little bit,” he said. “But it was cool, though, just seeing how the culture of the team was on a real game day.”) (9-17-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/17/tim-wright-waits-opportunity-lions/32553675/
Lions' DeAndre Levy, Brandon Pettigrew miss practice again, might not play against Vikings (But Detroit remains without linebacker DeAndre Levy (hip) and tight end Brandon Pettigrew (hamstring), which poses some problems. At tight end, the Lions have some depth issues if Pettigrew can't go. They dressed only two tight ends against San Diego, and Pettigrew is easily their best blocking tight end. Tim Wright, acquired in a trade during the final week of the preseason, likely will be activated against Minnesota if Pettigrew is limited in any way. But he's more of a pass-catcher, so it's possible the Lions also sign somebody who can block at that position.) (9-17-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_deandre_levy_brandon_pet.html
The Playbook Shuffle - Tim Wright (9-16-15): http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/09/16/tim-wright-detroit-lions-playbooks-nfl
DeAndre Levy, TJ Jones out for Detroit Lions; Ameer Abdullah likely the returner (The Lions announced shortly before their Sunday opener against the San Diego Chargers that Jones is among the team's seven inactive players. That means Abdullah likely is returning kicks, and possibly punts as well. Receiver Golden Tate could also be in the mix for return duties. Lance Moore and Josh Wilson will be the backups. Detroit's other inactives offer few surprises: Linebacker DeAndre Levy (hip), right tackle LaAdrian Waddle (ACL/elbow), right guard Larry Warford (ankle), defensive tackle Caraun Reid (ankle) and tight end Tim Wright.) (9-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/deandre_levy_tj_jones_out_for.html
Ask Kyle: On how much Ameer Abdullah, Zach Zenner will play for Lions (Q: What are the chances we see Tim Wright this weekend? — @MarktheNomad. Wright is the third tight end, so almost certainly will be active. The offense is really complex, which I thought might hurt his ability to get on the field right away, but he says he's been in a scheme similar to this one. Plus, everyone I've talked to about this cat says he's a really fast learner. "One of the (New England) quarterbacks remarked at how quickly he was able to pick things up," Caldwell said. "Maybe there was some common ground within the system, or maybe he's just a guy that's a quick-study. We'll find out.") (9-12-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/ask_kyle_on_how_much_ameer_abd.html
Five things we learned about the Lions this preseason (The third pass-catcher remains a mystery - There's still no telling who's going to step up as a receiving threat behind the Lions' top two wideouts -- Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate. T.J. Jones, who scored 64-yard touchdown in the preseason finale, was the only wide receiver to cause as much as a ripple this summer. If Corey Fuller and Lance Moore aren't viable contributors, the Lions better hope either second-year pro Eric Ebron or recent trade acquisition Tim Wright turns out to be a game-changer at tight end.) (9-8-15): http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/five-things-we-learned-about-the-lions-this-preseason-090815
A look at the Detroit Lions' 53-man roster (Tim Wright: The Lions went with him over Joseph Fauria, hoping he can provide more of a full-field pass-catching option than Fauria was.) (9-7-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18706/linebacker-is-a-deep-group-on-the-detroit-lions-53-man-roster
Where Lions stand at each position after final cuts (Ebron has looked like the playmaker the Lions expected this offseason and will likely be the No. 3 target in the passing game. Pettigrew had a good summer, too, and could be more involved in the pass game than his 15 targets in 2014. Wright's role will likely be red-zone only to start after winning the No. 3 job over Joseph Fauria.) (9-6-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/06/where-lions-stand-at-each-position-after-final-cuts/71813142/
Twentyman: Lions Cut Their Roster To 53 (The writing was on the wall for Fauria when the team traded for Tim Wright earlier in the week. Fauria is a big body with soft hands, but was limited some between the 20s. Wright is a more versatile player and probably a better fit in Joe Lombardi’s offense. Expect Casey Pierce to get some practice squad consideration.) (9-5-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/TWENTYMAN-Lions-cut-their-roster-to-53/acd5e7d6-9c7c-4c9f-92c2-fc99ec894784
Quick thoughts on the Lions' 53-man roster (I'm having a really, really hard time with Joseph Fauria's release. Not only because he was a fun personality to have on the team, but because we know very little about Tim Wright, other than the Buccaneers didn't want him.) (9-5-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/9/5/9266141/nfl-roster-cuts-quick-thoughts-on-lions-53-man-roster
Detroit Lions snap counts: Corey Fuller gets extended look, pair of UDFA safeties pace defense (Despite being acquired in a trade on Monday and only getting in a couple practices with the team, Tim Wright was on the field for 16 plays.) (9-4-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_snap_counts_buff.html
Lions win as roster battles go to wire (In the tight end battle between Joseph Fauria and Tim Wright, Fauria's 5-yard catch was the lone statistical contribution.) (9-3-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/03/lions-win-roster-battles-go-wire/71678186/
Detroit Lions top Buffalo in preseason finale (Tight end Joe Fauria made his first catch late in the second half and finished with two. It was not a good sign for Fauria when the Lions traded for tight end Tim Wright this week. Wright didn’t play and wasn’t expected to since he just got the playbook on Tuesday.) (9-3-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150903/detroit-lions-top-buffalo-in-preseason-finale
Winners and losers from the Lions' final preseason game (Losers - Tim Wright and Joseph Fauria: What was billed as an epic tight end battle turned out to be a dud. Wright was in early in the game, but never saw a pass thrown his way and didn't see the field much at all after that. Fauria seemed to get a lot more playing time, but he didn't make much of an impact with just one catch for five yards. At this point, it's a toss-up for who will make the presumed final tight end roster spot.) (9-3-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/9/3/9259473/winners-losers-lions-bills-preseason-game
Tim Wright, Joseph Fauria provide interesting Lions storyline in preseason finale (Joseph Fauria and Tim Wright: What appeared to be a locked-in position last week is now the most intriguing spot on the Detroit roster this week. With the Lions trading for Wright on Monday, this opened up a competition for the No. 3 tight end spot behind Eric Ebron and Brandon Pettigrew. Even more interesting was that Lions coach Jim Caldwell said he wasn’t sure if Wright was even going to play in the preseason finale against the Bills. This potentially means Detroit already knows how it would like to use Wright, which could mean trouble for Fauria’s roster chances. How much Fauria and Wright play will be something to pay a lot of attention to against Buffalo.) (9-3-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18643/tim-wright-joseph-fauria-provide-interesting-lions-storyline-in-preseason-finale
Several jobs still up for grabs in Lions-Bills game (There's a bit of intrigue surrounding the tight end position, too, where there's probably only one spot for Joseph Fauria and the newly acquired Tim Wright.) (9-2-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/02/detroit-lions-position-battles/71569438/
How TE Timothy Wright ended up on Lions radar, and how he could fit in Detroit (9-2-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/how_te_timothy_wright_ended_up.html
With Trade For Tim Wright, Lions Keeping Options Open At Tight End (9-2-15): http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/09/01/with-trade-for-tim-wright-lions-keeping-options-open-at-tight-end/
NOTEBOOK: TE Tim Wright joins Lions (Tim Wright has been in this spot before. Wright's been traded twice over the last 12 months; first from Tampa Bay to New England a week before the regular season began in 2014, and now one year later he’s in the same spot after Tampa Bay traded him once again, this time to Detroit. The Lions traded for Wright Monday, sending backup kicker Kyle Brindza to Tampa Bay in return. Wright, a receiver turned tight end, has caught 80 passes for 830 yards and 11 touchdowns the last two seasons in Tampa Bay and New England. He had two touchdown catches in New England’s win over Detroit last year. He practiced for the first time with his new team Tuesday afternoon and has a short amount of time to make his mark before Saturday’s cuts to the 53-man roster. Despite those time constraints, head coach Jim Caldwell said there’s no guarantee Wright plays in the preseason finale vs. Buffalo on Thursday. If that ends up being the case, the Lions obviously have a good idea what kind of player Wright is and what he brings to the table. “He’s a quick study, quick learner, he has talent ability,” Caldwell said of his new tight end before practice Tuesday. “You can just look at him in our game (vs. New England) last year, you can see (Tom) Brady targeted him a number of times. “(He) can catch, he’s dependable and reliable. So we’ll see what he looks like in our system.” Wright says he’s hoping to fit in quickly and show coaches what he can bring to the table in this offense. “I’ve learned a lot of playbooks along my path,” he said. “It’s nothing new, X’s and O’s and a lot of similar terms that I’m used to. "Once I get my job description, (my role) will be a little clearer, but football is football. Lace up the cleats and go out and play. “I think I have a skillset, the pass catching and doing things on the edge and stretching the field. That’s what I feel I bring to the program.” What Wright's arrival in Detroit means for Joseph Fauria is unclear.) (9-1-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-TE-Tim-Wright-joins-Lions-/df1b55db-e66c-4ff9-8e82-4820390fecc6
New Lions TE Wright a quick study but may sit Thursday (9-1-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/01/tim-wright-detroit-lions/71521586/
Well-traveled Tim Wright poised to compete for Lions TE spot (In the Patriots' 34-9 win over the Lions last season, New England tight end Tim Wright had five catches for 36 yards and two touchdowns. He was safe in assuming the Lions knew who he was after that performance. "That's something that worked in my favor," he said Tuesday after his trade to Detroit from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers became official. Now, Wright will have to work hard in the next handful of days to prove he deserves a spot on the 53-man roster, and he might be in a direct competition with Joseph Fauria for just one job. Coaches on the Lions' staff had a good idea of what the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Wright could do. Assistant head coach Ron Prince, who coaches the tight ends, was the offensive coordinator at Rutgers in 2013, the year after Wright left for the NFL, but he still went back to visit the Scarlet Knights when Prince was there. "Real cool guy, real cool coach and I'm excited to play for him," Wright said, adding he thinks he'll latch on to a coach with "great personality" and "great character." Meanwhile, current Buccaneers tight ends coach Jon Embree played at Colorado when Lions coach Jim Caldwell was as assistant coach for the Buffaloes in the early 1980s. "Jon obviously has nothing but glowing terms, like everybody else, to say about the young man," Caldwell said. "He's a quick study, quick learner, he has talent and ability. You can just look at him in our game last year, you can see (Tom) Brady targeted him a number of times, so he's a guy that can catch, he's dependable and reliable. So, we'll see what he looks like in our system." Wright also had eight catches for 75 yards against the Lions when he was with Tampa Bay in 2013. Wright has just two days to learn the Lions' offensive scheme, and with such a short turnaround, there's no guarantee he'll play in the final exhibition Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field. Of course, with Wright effectively competing head to head against Fauria, the Lions will try to see what he's capable of Thursday. And making a quick adjustment won't be new for Wright. The Buccaneers traded him to the Patriots last August just two days before the final preseason games, and he played 42 of New England's 69 offensive snaps, finishing with four catches for 43 yards. So, he's not concerned with making some adjustments. "I'm used to it," he said. "I'm a professional. Come in the doors, they lay a playbook out in front of me, I just try to digest it and go out and play ball." Wright said he met Fauria after arriving in Detroit and had a "great" interaction with the fellow third-year, undrafted tight end. After the trade, Fauria wrote a cryptic tweet saying, "It's just business." Wright, who was traded last year then waived by the Patriots in June this year then traded by the Buccaneers for a second time, echoed that sentiment. According to NFL Network, Wright is the first player since at least 1995 to be traded multiple times by the same team. "It's a business," he said. "It's the NFL. Guys go here and there. ... Who am I to say where I'm supposed to be? It's not in my hands, but I know that I'm here right now and I've got to do what I've got to do." On the football side, Wright has been more productive than Fauria with 80 catches, 830 yards and 11 touchdowns the last two years compared to Fauria's 24 catches, 281 yards and eight touchdowns. Fauria's numbers would be better had he not missed nine games due to an ankle injury last year, but lack of availability is typically a red flag for bubble players. Wright said he didn't know what the trade means with regards to his roster standing in Detroit, and before leaving Tampa Bay, he was unsure of his outlook, too. "I guess the trade was the best thing for them, best thing for me and that's what it was," he said.) (9-1-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/09/01/well-traveled-tim-wright-poised-compete-lions-te-spot/71536262/
Detroit Lions — Five things to know about newest TE Tim Wright (9-1-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150901/detroit-lions-x2014-five-things-to-know-about-newest-te-tim-wright
Previous performances might have attracted Detroit to Tim Wright (9-1-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18632/previous-performances-might-have-attracted-detroit-to-tim-wright
Video Wright on joining the Lions (9-1-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Wright-on-joining-the-Lions/c65eb179-06c6-4b40-b564-7185491157d9
Video - Watch Detroit Lions reporters break down what the Timothy Wright trade means for Joseph Fauria (9-1-15): http://videos.mlive.com/mlive/2015/09/watch_detroit_lions_reporters_26.html
TWENTYMAN: Lions trade for TE Tim Wright (Last year in New England, then Patriots tight end Tim Wright caught two touchdown passes in a 34-9 win over the Lions. Wright, who signed with Tampa Bay in the offseason, is now going to join the Lions via trade, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Citing sources, Rapoport reports that the Lions have traded for Wright. The Buccaneers announced they're getting Lions backup kicker Kyle Brindza in return for Wright. Brindza has been terrific for the Lions in camp, but had little chance of making the roster with veteran kicker Matt Prater ahead of him. Brindza, who also punts, was 3-for-3 kicking field goals, including a 51-yard make Friday in Jacksonville, and had a 49.3 punting average in three preseason games. The Lions don't announce trades until the player(s) involved pass a physical and the trade becomes official with the league. The trade, when it becomes official, will make for a crowded tight end room in Detroit with Eric Ebron, Brandon Pettigrew and Joe Fauria currently with the team. The Lions typically keep only three tight ends on the 53-man roster. Fauria struggled with injuries last season and his numbers took a hit from his rookie year, when he was second on the team with seven touchdown receptions. He ended up playing in only seven games last year because of a bad ankle, catching six passes for 74 yards and one touchdown. He also missed some of the offseason training program and the beginning of training camp because of the ankle. Wright played in 11 games for the Patriots last season, catching 26 passes for 259 yards and six touchdowns. The Patriots traded for Wright before the start of last season after he caught 54 passes for 571 yards and five touchdowns in 2013 as a rookie with Tampa Bay. Wright, 25, is a pass-catching tight end who should fit in nicely in Joe Lombardi’s scheme. Wright came into the league as receiver and was converted to tight end.) (8-31-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/TWENTYMAN-Lions-trade-for-TE-Tim-Wright/9c069e4d-9ac3-4cbc-814a-971279119986
Lions trade Brindza, get TE Wright from Buccaneers (Mayhew, the Lions' general manager, sent backup kicker Kyle Brindza to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today, in exchange for tight end Tim Wright. Wright, a pass-catching tight end out of Rutgers, was in his second stint with the Buccaneers, after Tampa traded him to the New England Patriots during the preseason last year. He caught 26 passes for 259 yards last year for the Patriots, and had a big game (five catches, 36 yards, 2 TDs) in New England's win over the Lions. With Wright in the fold, it's unclear what the Lions' plans are for the tight end position, specifically Joseph Fauria.) (8-31-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/31/tim-wright-trade-detroit-lions/71452352/
Lions get TE Wright from Bucs for K Brindza (The Lions tried to claim tight end Tim Wright after the Patriots waived him in June. Now, after swinging a trade, they have a chance to see him in Honolulu blue. The Lions and Buccaneers agreed to a trade Monday that will bring Wright to Detroit and send rookie kicker Kyle Brindza to Tampa Bay. The deal won’t be official until both players pass their physicals. Although Wright has significant upside, he’s not a lock to make the roster with less than a week before final cuts.Wright’s arrival could be an indication No. 3 tight end Joseph Fauria has not yet done enough to secure a spot on the 53-man roster. The 6-foot-4 Wright, who went undrafted in 2013, had 26 catches for 259 yards and six touchdowns for the Patriots last year. As a rookie with the Buccaneers, he had 54 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns. “He’s a great player,” Lions fullback Michael Burton said of his former Rutgers teammate.) (8-31-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/31/detroit-lions-tampa-bay-buccaneers-trade-tim-wright/71451744/
Detroit Lions trade for pass-catching TE Timothy Wright; Joseph Fauria's future unclear (8-31-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_trade_for_pass-c.html
Flurry of NFL trades go down; should Lions' Eric Ebron be concerned? (The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded tight end Tim Wright to the Detroit Lions to give them another pass-catching tight end. But isn't that what Eric Ebron, the 10th overall pick of the 2014 draft, was supposed to provide? Wright got off to a nice start early last season with the New England Patriots after coming over in the Logan Mankins deal but was an afterthought down the title stretch. He was waived and claimed by the Bucs, who originally signed Wright after he went undrafted in 2013. Ebron isn't in any trouble for a roster spot, but there is growing concern that he might never fulfill his massive potential — even a little more than a year into his tenure there. But Ebron seems rather unaffected by the news of the Wright deal or his status on the team.) (8-31-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/flurry-of-trades-go-down--should-lions--eric-ebron-be-concerned-152546373.html
Roster battles to watch as Bucs' cuts approach (Tim Wright, who hasn't blocked well and couldn't come up with the only pass thrown his way Monday. Wright has 11 touchdowns in his two NFL seasons, but he's not a sure thing to make this roster.) (8-25-15): http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/roster-battles-to-watch-as-bucs-cuts-approach/2242706
Analyzing the Bucs plays (Q1, 5:55, 3rd & 16, Bucs 25 yd line. Incomplete to Tim Wright. The Bucs were backed up here, but Winston almost got them out of it. From trips-right, TE Tim Wright faked to the outside before coming back to the middle. There’s a small window between two Bengal defenders and Winston threw right through them and the ball actually hit Wright’s hands as he was diving for the catch. Had he held on, it would have been enough for a first down. Even though it was incomplete, Winston was decisive on the play and threw a very catchable ball.) (8-25-15): http://thepewterplank.com/2015/08/25/jameis-winston-analyzing-every-monday-night-football-pass-attempt/
This preseason performance does count, sort of (Those numbers could have been even better had tight end Tim Wright held on to a perfect pass and had Winston had an extra breath of protection on a couple of other passes.) (8-24-15): http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/this-preseason-performance-does-count-sort-of/2242663
Bucs Make the Grade in Win Over Bengals (The Bucs got a quick first down on a 16-yard pass to Jackson but, after a deep shot to Evans that just missed the home team ended up in a second-and-30 hole after a pair of penalties. A 14-yard gain by RB Charles Sims on a screen led to a seam pass that TE Tim Wright just missed hauling in. The Bucs had to punt, and a penalty on the return team pushed the line of scrimmage back to the Bengals' 22.) (8-24-15): http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Bucs-Make-the-Grade-in-Win-Over-Bengals/78efc7b2-97c2-4966-8a7a-47ae00bc952e
Kwon Alexander's stock soaring for Buccaneers (Falling stock - Tim Wright: The tight end was claimed off waivers and that started a lot of hype. But Wright hasn't made many plays in training camp and he's going to have a tough time making the roster with Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Brandon Myers and Luke Stocker ahead of him on the depth chart.)(8-22-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/tampa-bay-buccaneers/post/_/id/10563/kwon-alexanders-stock-is-soaring-for-buccaneers
A source tells ESPN that 10 teams put in a waiver claim for Tim Wright (According to Field Yates of ESPN, 10 teams put in claims on Wright: The Bucs, Jets, Bears, Falcons, Browns, Saints, Dolphins, Chiefs, Steelers and Lions.) (6-15-15): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/15/bucs-beat-the-land-rush-as-10-teams-tried-to-claim-tim-wright/
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