Lions tight end Eric Ebron isn’t expecting to be eased into the offense as Detroit’s first-round draft pick.
Ebron, who signed his contract on Friday, told Tim Twentyman of the team’s website that anything short of being a Pro Bowler and the recipient of the Offensive Rookie of the Year award would constitute falling short of expectations.
“My goals are set high. I’m going to try to go for rookie of the year. I believe I can do it,” Ebron said. “My coach right now, he’s saying, ‘Our goal right now is to make it to the Pro Bowl our rookie year.’ Well, your goal is my goal.”
Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi has compared Ebron’s role in Detroit to Jimmy Graham’s role in the offense in New Orleans, where Lombardi previously coached. It’s too much to ask for any rookie to have a Graham-like influence, but there are obviously very high expectations for Ebron in Detroit.
