The Detroit Lions open training camp on August 3 and with it, the 2015 season will commence. In a change from most seasons, the Lions are coming off a playoff berth and one of the best seasons in franchise history.
Can the Lions repeat that? Each day from now until training camp, we will look at one position group to prepare for the 2015 season.
Position: Tight end
Starter: Brandon Pettigrew
Backups: Eric Ebron, Joseph Fauria, David Ausberry, Jordan Thompson, Casey Pierce
Position status: Somewhat set, but not without questions.
Position thoughts: Despite the roster likely being set here, this is an intriguing position because of all the questions around the three main players. Pettigrew has become less of a receiving threat each year and is almost considered a blocking tight end at this point. Ebron had an inconsistent rookie season and while he showed flashes of progress in the spring, drops continued to show up. Fauria has barely been healthy over the past 12 months, including missing almost all of the spring recovering from an ankle injury.
Those three players are likely making up the team's roster at tight end this fall, and Detroit will need at least one of the trio to break out. The Lions had hoped Ebron would be the team’s No. 3 target last season as a rookie and it really needs to happen in his second season considering all the questions at the receiver spot after Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate. Pettigrew could be playing for his Detroit future since his guaranteed money runs out after 2015. Fauria is entering a semi-contract year, as he'll be a restricted free agent following the season. So this is a critical season for all three players and could end up making a large difference on the success or failure of Detroit's 2015 season.
What the Lions need to see in camp: Detroit knows what it will get out of Pettigrew at this point, so the Lions just need him to remain healthy and potentially progress incrementally as a blocker. Ebron needs to show consistency throughout camp -- both in his mastery of the playbook and running routes and his ability to catch passes confidently and with his hands instead of bringing it into his body. Quarterback Matthew Stafford needs to be able to trust Ebron in games. While the two couldn't work much on their rapport last season, they have had an entire offseason to make sure it is there. Now, Ebron has to show he'll be a consistent contributor. Fauria needs to just get back on the field -- and stay there. He had a strong rookie season but ankle injuries and a change in coordinators kept him off the field for most of 2014. The first thing Detroit needs to see is Fauria making it through a week of practice healthy. Then, the Lions need to see improvement in his route running and blocking -- something he showed when he was healthy last season. The hands are there and have never been an issue.
Of the three, Fauria is the player in the most trouble of the three -- but it would take a massive camp from David Ausberry or Casey Pierce to push Fauria out of a potential role. Pierce has a good shot to land a practice squad spot, especially if the Lions decide they can find another long-snapper to keep on the practice squad instead of Jordan Thompson.
Who ends up on the roster: Pettigrew, Ebron, Fauria.
