ORLANDO, Fla. -- Why did the Detroit Lions cut Eric Ebron an hour before the start of free agency?
As Bill Clinton might say: It was the economy, stupid.
GM Bob Quinn didn't want to cut his third-leading receiver. But he also didn't want to pay $8.25 million for him. Quinn tried to trade the former first-round pick, but couldn't find anyone who wanted to take on the contract either.
Quinn still deliberated over what to do, until finally deciding to cut ties with his No. 1 tight end about an hour before the fifth-year option became guaranteed.