Rookie Eric Ebron Struggles To Learn Lions Offense

May 31, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron interviews Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney during the 2014 NFLPA Rookie Premiere at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

As the Detroit Lions complete their first month of OTA’s in Allen Park, MI rookie tight end Eric Ebron has come to an abrupt realization. The spread attack that he ran at the University of North Carolina is very, very different from the offense that Joe Lombardi has instilled in Detroit.

Ebron is battling through the ups and downs of trying to learn the team’s complex offensive scheme and says that he has had both good days and bad.

"“It was rough,” Ebron said about his first month of practices with his new team. “I’ve had some terrible days. I’ve had some great days.”“It’s just remembering concepts, remembering where to be, remembering how deep to be,” Ebron said. “It’s all concepts. Just remembering is the hardest part.”"

Lions wide receiver Golden Tate remembers what is was like to come into the league as a rookie. The battles of learning a new playbook, learning new teammates and coaches as well as all the off the field stuff that comes along with it.

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"“I think as a rookie, you’ve got so much to worry about,” Tate said. “He’s trying to settle in. He’s got to learn the material. He’s got to play confident. He’s got to play faster.”“Right now, it’s a lot happening all at one time,” Tate continued. “He’s going from college straight to the NFL, you’ve got all these things outside football that are affecting him. He’s going to get it down. I’m confident in him. He’s a tremendous talent.”"

Ebron flew to Los Angeles last month as part of the NFLPA Rookie Premier — a weekend business seminar for a number of the league’s top draft picks.[

Another added pressure for Ebron is that he is the only rookie from this years draft class that has yet to sign with the organization.

The Lions hope to have Ebron’s deal done prior to training camp.

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