Will silence be Golden for the Detroit Lions and Tate?
By Robert Jones
The Detroit Lions and Golden Tate have expressed interest in the same goal, to keep the popular receiver in Detroit. Will they be able to accomplish it?
The Detroit Lions have worked hard this offseason to complete their offense by adding the components they feel are necessary to unleash the ground game and allow themselves the opportunity to more explosive on offense.
The theory of course is a solid rushing attack that defenses will have pay attention to and stop will make an already dangerous passing game that much better.
Led by their franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford and an outstanding group of receivers, their passing attack was one of the best in the NFL last year. They connected on deep passes with regularity to stretch the field and often turned short, routine passes into big plays.
The player that did the most damage after the catch was Golden Tate, who has proven to be the most elusive pass receiver in the NFL.
With Tate the play doesn’t end when he catches the ball. It ends when the defense finds a way to catch him. He is like a jitterbug or greased lightning. Just when he gets his hands on the ball he finds a way to disappear right before the eyes of stunned defensive backs.
Now while Tate may not be quite on par with the dazzling elusiveness of former all universe running back Barry Sanders, he isn’t exactly chopped liver.
Tate’s game is built on extremely reliable hands, great vision and quickness and more heart than we can all measure.
His ability to make plays anywhere on the field, especially underneath coverage, helps opens things up for Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay to stretch opposing defenses.
What Tate has done since joining the Lions four years ago has been outstanding. The $31 million contract he signed as a free agent will go down in NFL history as one of the best signings ever.
Now with one year left on that deal, Lions general manage Bob Quinn and Tate’s agent are in discussions about a contract extension.
The question is; will they be able to come to an agreement?