The Sports Xchange

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Thus far in training camp, tight end Eric Ebron looks like a mismatch for opponents, just what the Detroit Lions expected when they drafted him 10th overall in 2014.

During an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday, Ebron was quarterback Matthew Stafford’s favorite target.

“Ebron is getting a little better, and we’re still working with him and seeing if he can gain that consistency that we need,” coach Jim Caldwell said. “But he’s certainly making progress, and I think Matthew feels that comfort level with him.”

Caldwell and general manager Martin Mayhew are among the people praising Ebron for being more mature entering his second season.

“I see a lot more disciplined, professional, motivated and realistic guy than what I saw last year,” Mayhew said. “He knows what’s at stake, he knows what he has to do to be a great pro, and I see him doing everything that he has to do to be a great pro. He has been working his butt off to be better than what he was last year.”

Even so, it appears that part of Ebron’s growth will include limited media access as he focuses on proving his naysayers wrong after a pedestrian rookie season.

Ebron has yet to answer questions from reporters during training camp, though he answered two from a team-employed writer Monday.

Fortunately for the Lions, Ebron is talking to Stafford, and during the minute-long interview, he said their improved communication is helping him showcase his talents more in 2015.

“We both understand now the same thing,” Ebron said. “We both speak the same language, so that’s how it works for us. Nowadays, it’s just like what coach said: ‘Be the quarterback’s best friend.’

“So, just let him know I’m here for him, continue making plays for him and that’s it.”

Among the reasons Mayhew said Ebron is more realistic is that the player didn’t think he would hit the rookie wall last year.

It is hard to say when Ebron hit it, as he was minimally involved for much of the season with only 25 catches for 248 yards, although it could have been a hamstring injury in Week 7, when the coaches said he was starting to improve in practice.

The Lions could use another weapon in the passing game behind wide receivers Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate.

Running back Ameer Abdullah, a second-round pick this year, looks as if he could be dangerous in the passing game, and running back Theo Riddick was that last year. But at 6-foot-4, 265 pounds, Ebron could be a downfield playmaker against linebackers and safeties.

Ebron has shown improved route-running thus far in 2015, and he should be a threat on all levels of the field. He still looks a bit uncomfortable with some catches, but he is reducing his drops in practice significantly compared to his rookie season.

Ebron thinks he can be the safety valve many quarterbacks seek in a tight end.

“I can be whatever he needs me to be,” Ebron said. “As long as he’s throwing the ball and I’m catching it, we’ll always be happy.”