Detroit Lions: Kerryon Johnson more essential than Barry Sanders right now

This leads us full circle back to this past weeks Golden Tate trade. There are a few things fans should think about in regards to how and why this move occurred. Let’s start with the strength of the Lions receiving corps.

The Lions passing game isn’t about to suddenly be destitute because of this move. Marvin Jones has developed into the player Bob Quinn envisioned when he signed him as a free agent and Kenny Golladay has gone from third-round pick to blossoming star.

Plus T.J. Jones is a very reliable player to plug in the slot, not to mention rookie free agent Brandon Powell who displayed Tate’s ability to gain extra yards after the catch during the exhibition season. The fact that the Lions have talent at receiver made the move easier.

The second factor would be how difficult it was going to be to re-sign Tate in the offseason. Bob Quinn was staring at a situation that the Lions weren’t going to win without paying Tate more than he was worth to the Lions. With the talent we mentioned already in the barn, it wouldn’t have made good financial sense to meet Tate’s demands.

Then there was an opportunity. I can’t say that Quinn was burning up the phone lines in an effort to deal Tate, but when a desperate Philadelphia Eagles squad called up and was willing to part with a third round pick, I’m sure Quinn didn’t have to think too much about making that trade.

Finally, there was the new direction the Detroit Lions are charting. When the Lions have won so far this season, it has been in games they have run the ball effectively and played relatively well on defense.

Which means that components to their ground game actually have to take precedence over the passing game.

The Lions spent almost the entire offseason building a rushing attack. While that ground game has not been as consistent as they would like when it has been productive the results have been very good.

Which means that Kerryon Johnson is a more valuable asset than Tate was and will be central to their immediate plans.