Eric Ebron Says Scout Who Critiqued His Blocking 'Must Be Great at His Job'

NFL scouts beware: Players are more likely than ever to see your anonymous comments about them. 

As the coronavirus pandemic keeps players home this offseason, it's only a matter of time before more and more come across bulletin-board material on social media. That was certainly the case on Tuesday for tight end Eric Ebron.   

After reportedly agreeing to terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a two-year, $12 million deal, the veteran caught a local sports radio personality quoting a long-time scout who said he can't block. 

That didn't sit well with the tight end—not only that he was called out, but also that he was judged by someone who didn't attach their name to the statement. 

"He must be great at his job," Ebron quote-tweeted, "'long time NFL scout' congrats to him." 

 Being compared to one of your new team's all-time fan favorites is never going to be easy.

For 11 years, Heath Miller was a constant for the Steelers offense. He racked up 6,569 receiving yards and 45 touchdowns over 168 games, was named to the Pro Bowl twice and helped deliver two Super Bowl titles to Pittsburgh. 

Ebron, on the other hand, is joining his third franchise in his seven-year pro career, and despite a Pro Bowl appearance in 2018, he has certainly developed a reputation. The thing is, it has nothing to do with blocking. It's that during his time with the Detroit Lions, he was known to have an issue holding onto passes. 

To be called out for blocking rather than drops is peculiar, to say the least. 

But most importantly, this is a Pittsburgh team coming off an 8-8 season in an AFC North that boasts arguably the best quarterback in the league in the Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson. If not for the Cincinnati Bengals' and Cleveland Browns' woes over the past few years, the Steelers' struggles would look a lot worse. 

It'd be one thing if Pittsburgh were in a position to win now. Instead, it's just hoping quarterback Ben Roethlisberger can stay healthy for a full season. 

If Ebron's blocking becomes the team's biggest issue, something has gone very right for head coach Mike Tomlin and Co.