ALLEN PARK — Jim Caldwell won’t address rumors about the possibility of trading tight end Eric Ebron. The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday.
“I do my very best not to comment on any rumors or innuendo,’’ Caldwell said on Monday.
Ebron was targeted six times and caught two passes for 58 yards in Sunday night’s 20-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The tight end had a 44-yard pass play late in the fourth quarter, getting the Lions to the Steelers’ 11-yard line. But they couldn’t punch it in. The Lions didn’t score a touchdown in the game.
“He’s a guy who can make plays for us, I think you saw the catch and run he made,’’ Caldwell said. “He’s got ability, we’ve got to get the best out of him.’’
Ebron was booed loudly when he didn’t make the catches, even though a few of them weren’t necessarily on him.
(Photo courtesy of Detroit Lions)
He missed a deep pass down the middle on a third-and-6 in the first quarter.
“In my mind I should’ve dove for it, it was a great ball. I just couldn’t catch up to it, I blame that on me,’’ Ebron said.
He heard the boos.
“There’s nothing I can do about it, like I said they don’t know my story,’’ Ebron said on Sunday night. “I want to always be positive, you can boo me all you want. I don’t think it’s the first time I’ve been booed.’’
He said 99.9 percent of the fans could not come out and make those catches.
“Yes, those were tough grabs, I get paid to make those grabs yes, but too damn tough. Cut a brother some slack, it’s rough. Whenever I get the opportunity and I can make a play I’m going to try to make the play and do what I can with the football in my hands.’’
Ebron has heard the trade rumors but does not seem upset by him.
“I mean it is what it is, they’ve got until Tuesday. This is a business if they want to cut ties with me, then they cut ties. Then if they can continue to use me my skills and abilities, it’s a long season,’’ Ebron said.
Well, not as long as it used to be.
Nine games remaining starting at Green Bay on Monday night.
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