• Please be aware we've switched the forums to their own URL. (again) You'll find the new website address to be www.steelernationforum.com Thanks
  • Please clear your private messages. Your inbox is close to being full.

Holy ****, we got our TE!!! Eric Ebron signs with Steelers

Some of those stats are just ridiculous. Why are people comparing him to Miller the past 6 years? Miller retired in 2015. It's stupid. Of course he isn't going to have a lot of stats SINCE HE RETIRED.

Oh my since 2017 he has the 6th most red zone TDs by a TE. Ok so what? The reason they used 2017? Yup, because he had one good year in 2018. Before 2017 he had 7 TDs in 3 years.

I wasn't really paying attention to the Miller stat anyways when I posted it. So many different scenarios come into play teaching,scheme,QB under center, health,etc. I just like the guys receiving potential all I got from it.............
 
Some of those stats are just ridiculous. Why are people comparing him to Miller
I think the chart showing side-by-side stats of Miller & Ebron's first six years in the league is relevant, and pretty eye-opening how close those numbers are. No guarantees of course that Ebron will continue on the same trajectory as Heath, but the fact their numbers are comparable is a good baseline for where Ebron is right now, six years in. Of course Miller was 10x the blocker Ebron is, and a much more complete TE, but as far as pure pass catching stats, Ebron's career thus far is nothing to sneeze at.
 
Last edited:
im ok with people showing stats that are contrary..

Im not ok with acting like a douche about it all. Vader did not do this.
 
TE could still be a need. Ebron is not a blocker. He’s pretty much a big WR. Steelers still need a blocking TE. Good news is that blocking TEs can usually be had late in the draft.
Macdonald is quite good at blocking IIRC, check some tape when you get some free time. My internet sucks or I would look for a video and post it here

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
Honestly, I'd think Vance will still start. He is the better blocker. We also have to remember that Vance had some of the worst drop rates I've ever seen on a player when he played in SF. That disappeared when he came here. I can only hope the same happens for Ebron.
 
Honestly, I'd think Vance will still start. He is the better blocker. We also have to remember that Vance had some of the worst drop rates I've ever seen on a player when he played in SF. That disappeared when he came here. I can only hope the same happens for Ebron.

Yes, I think Vance will be the in-line blocker, with Ebron lining up at H-back, in the slot and basically moved around a lot. Adding Ebron may do wonders for Vance's game as well, as I imagine defenses will be more focused on Ebron on passing downs, turning Vance into a nifty dump-off option for Ben. And we know he's pretty good after the catch, the stiff-arms, fighting for 1st downs, et al.
 
It will all come down to....Big Ben. Will Ben use ALL of his weapons? Hopefully, it all works out. :)
 
And then there is a possibility that you could put both TE's on the field at the same time.
 
I think the chart showing side-by-side stats of Miller & Ebron's first six years in the league is relevant, and pretty eye-opening how close those numbers are. No guarantees of course that Ebron will continue on the same trajectory as Heath, but the fact their numbers are comparable is a good baseline for where Ebron is right now, six years in. Of course Miller was 10x the blocker Ebron is, and a much more complete TE, but as far as pure pass catching stats, Ebron's career thus far is nothing to sneeze at.

One was about the "last" 6 years. Not Miller's first 6 years. The one you posted was about Miller's first 6 years. But again you can't compare them just by stats. Even in the passing game Miller caught 72% of his targets. Ebron caught 63%. That's nothing to sneeze at either. He's known for dropping the ball. He makes some great catches but he can put a lot on the turf. Also Miller started with Ben. Another strange stat with Ebron. He has only started 47 out of 83 games he played in. I'd have to check but it appears he didn't even start most of the time. Even in his 1 good year he started half (8) of the teams games.

I understand Colbert needs to fill needs right now. But to make this guy seem like the 2nd coming of Miller is a bit off to me.
 
One was about the "last" 6 years. Not Miller's first 6 years. The one you posted was about Miller's first 6 years. But again you can't compare them just by stats. Even in the passing game Miller caught 72% of his targets. Ebron caught 63%. That's nothing to sneeze at either. He's known for dropping the ball. He makes some great catches but he can put a lot on the turf. Also Miller started with Ben. Another strange stat with Ebron. He has only started 47 out of 83 games he played in. I'd have to check but it appears he didn't even start most of the time. Even in his 1 good year he started half (8) of the teams games.

I understand Colbert needs to fill needs right now. But to make this guy seem like the 2nd coming of Miller is a bit off to me.

I don't think there is one fan that thinks he is the second coming of Miller.

I look at him as a Jesse James upgrade. Robin to McDonald's Batman.

Miller was a special breed. Those types come around once a decade if that.
 
He's nothing special and last season caught 31 balls for 375 yards. ( 12.1 a catch ) and 3 TD's. Are these numbers worth 6 million a year??? He's not much of a blocker either..

Look who was throwing to him last season and compare that to Luck at QB. And McDonald does the blocking, Ebron stretches the field.
 
I don't think there is one fan that thinks he is the second coming of Miller.

I look at him as a Jesse James upgrade. Robin to McDonald's Batman.

Miller was a special breed. Those types come around once a decade if that.

Whomever wrote the meme that compared him to Miller obviously was trying to make the point. I understand people are excited but I remember the same excitement last year when a certain WR was signed. He was going to be great. Imagine him with JuJu. Same with a certain LB that is no longer with us.

Ebron may turn into a good TE and have a great year. But just looking at what he did or didn't do when he was in Detroit and Indy says a lot to me. He has one good year. The other years he was below average. He has 2 years with just 1 TD. Last year he had 3 but I guess when you only start 2 games and only play in 11 you aren't going to get many TDs.

Now you have to look at injuries: 2019: Had both Ankles operated on. 2017: Hamstring, 2016: Ankle Sprain, 2016: Knee Strain, 2016: High Ankle Sprain, 2015: MCL pull, 2015: Knee Bruise, 2014: Hamstring Strain
 
Macdonald is quite good at blocking IIRC, check some tape when you get some free time. My internet sucks or I would look for a video and post it here

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Steeler Nation mobile app

Vance is good for now but he may not have a future. I don't think Gentry will ever be a good blocker because he's too damn tall and lanky. Maybe Vannett can develop. Ebron may be the answer as the receiving F-TE but they still can use a young traditional inline blocking Y-TE to replace Vance in a year or two.
 
Vance is good for now but he may not have a future. I don't think Gentry will ever be a good blocker because he's too damn tall and lanky. Maybe Vannett can develop. Ebron may be the answer as the receiving F-TE but they still can use a young traditional inline blocking Y-TE to replace Vance in a year or two.
Consider vannett gone

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
I'm not looking foe Ebron to have huge stats. I want quality not quantity from him. Meaning I want him to have a bunch of 3rd down conversions and some TDs. I don;t want him to have like 80 receptions.

Ben threw 675 passes for over 5000 yards in 2018. That year JuJu had 111 receptions and AB had 104, the next was Vance with 50 and Conner with 55. That is how the offense should run, with the WRs being the top 2 targets.

Nobody wants to see that many passes but it shows how big the dropoff should be from the top 2 targets to the #3 target. In a super high volume season, the steelers 3rd target, McDonald had 50 receptions.

I want JuJu and Dionte with about 180-200 receptions between them. Then the receptions after that get split up between Washington, Ebron, Vance, and the RBs. Ebron could have a great season and only have 40 catches in this offense, but his effect will be to loosen coverage on other guys, or to make the defense pay if they double the WRs.

Show me a TE with a huge # of receptions and I'll show you a team with either a ****** QB or a ****** #2 WR.
 
Honestly, I'd think Vance will still start. He is the better blocker. We also have to remember that Vance had some of the worst drop rates I've ever seen on a player when he played in SF. That disappeared when he came here. I can only hope the same happens for Ebron.

I guess it depends on position but the term starter can become irrelevant. So if its first and ten yeah I think you want Macdonald in. But they will do a ton of double TE. And Ebron will be the play action. They will probably flex him out and force declaring the defense as well.
 
Consider vannett gone

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Steeler Nation mobile app

I think he will compete with Gentry for the #3 TE spot unless they draft somebody. Ebron may push Gentry off the roster more than Vannett. Ebron has a lock on the receiving TE position. I feel that's why Gentry was drafted, so Ebron is a bigger threat to Gentry than Vannett. My guess is the #3 TE is whoever blocks the best.


Another thought on Ebron. I can see them using 22 personnel (2 back 2 TE) at the goal with JuJu the only WR, but Ebron split out at WR. You have Watt in at FB and Vance at the traditional TE spot. This is a heavy package that defense will respond to with their heavy package because the run threat is so strong. It will give Ebron a size advantage vs the CB

One would think that's a great play action opportunity but steelers have't done much play action in years. Steelers were 31st in play action last year. Signing Watt and Ebron is a signal that they intend to do more play action. But who the hell knows.
 
Whomever wrote the meme that compared him to Miller obviously was trying to make the point. I understand people are excited but I remember the same excitement last year when a certain WR was signed. He was going to be great. Imagine him with JuJu. Same with a certain LB that is no longer with us.

Ebron may turn into a good TE and have a great year. But just looking at what he did or didn't do when he was in Detroit and Indy says a lot to me. He has one good year. The other years he was below average. He has 2 years with just 1 TD. Last year he had 3 but I guess when you only start 2 games and only play in 11 you aren't going to get many TDs.

Now you have to look at injuries: 2019: Had both Ankles operated on. 2017: Hamstring, 2016: Ankle Sprain, 2016: Knee Strain, 2016: High Ankle Sprain, 2015: MCL pull, 2015: Knee Bruise, 2014: Hamstring Strain
Mongrief never had the type year Ebron a few seasons ago... plus DM had an odd circumstance that derailed his season. Ebron has worked with mostly scrubs under center and has his share of injuries sure. Of course he is a risk... a fairly inexpensive one with a possibility to really shine with a type talent that he hasn't had on the regular. Always going to be a question mark attached to a free agent.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
Last edited:
I think he will compete with Gentry for the #3 TE spot unless they draft somebody. Ebron may push Gentry off the roster more than Vannett. Ebron has a lock on the receiving TE position. I feel that's why Gentry was drafted, so Ebron is a bigger threat to Gentry than Vannett. My guess is the #3 TE is whoever blocks the best.


Another thought on Ebron. I can see them using 22 personnel (2 back 2 TE) at the goal with JuJu the only WR, but Ebron split out at WR. You have Watt in at FB and Vance at the traditional TE spot. This is a heavy package that defense will respond to with their heavy package because the run threat is so strong. It will give Ebron a size advantage vs the CB

One would think that's a great play action opportunity but steelers have't done much play action in years. Steelers were 31st in play action last year. Signing Watt and Ebron is a signal that they intend to do more play action. But who the hell knows.
I don't think they will resign him.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
I don't get any of the Vannett talk. He is a UFA. He is already gone. He was in a pool of TE's the would consider. They went Ebron. He will not be a Steeler next season.
Well you hate to just hand the third spot to a TE who has shown little to nothing. I prefer depth competition. Especially with option 1 and 2 injured enough to desire some strong depth. I guess the Steelers will have to judge if they are happy overall. The thinking is they did invest in Ebron so they could be done free agent wise. If so they could still dip into a pick day 3 of the draft.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
Top