Detroit Lions lose bet on success following Golden Tate trade

SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 5: wide receiver Golden Tate #15 of the Detroit Lions sits on the bench late in the second half of a football game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 5, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won the game 13-10. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 5: wide receiver Golden Tate #15 of the Detroit Lions sits on the bench late in the second half of a football game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 5, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won the game 13-10. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Lions, one game back in the muddled NFC North, made a bet that they could succeed after trading away receiver Golden Tate.

The one constant in life is change. After the Detroit Lions flopped on Thanksgiving, the winds of change are blowing hard through the Motor City. Some of this is the control of the front office, some of it is not, but the team certainly looks different on the offensive side of the ball heading into Week 13.

One could say it all started with the unexpected trade of standout receiver Golden Tate to the Philadelphia Eagles for a third-round draft pick. While in the middle of the pack in the NFC North, the trade was a gamble that hasn’t paid off for either side, so far. The Lions have missed their talented receiver and Tate has barely seen any action in the weeks he’s been wearing green.

As a team, the Lions have won a single game since Tate’s departure but mightily struggled to move the ball in situations where he was so successful. The other receivers on the team have started to step up. Kenny Golladay is looking like a solid starter with star potential, but his running mate, Marvin Jones, is now on the shelf for the season with a knee injury.

Nobody can predict injuries. But the depth the Lions had at receiver has flipped to look like they never had any depth at all. Talent is seen as being let go instead of nurtured and used. Tight end Eric Ebron sure looks like a talented player for the Indianapolis Colts. Detroit could sure use that production right now.

Many pieces that were thought to be part of the puzzle for success in Detroit are disappearing. Running back Ameer Abdullah was let go, and now running back Kerryon Johnson is sidelined with a knee injury. Every move this team makes seems to come back to bite them with a lack of depth.

The latest that to come up, via Peter King in Football Morning In America, is the possibility of the Lions trading franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford.

"7. I think if I were Jacksonville GM David Caldwell, come March and the new league year, I’d offer Detroit first and fourth-round picks for Matthew Stafford.8. I think if I were Lions GM Bob Quinn, I’d probably take it."

Yes, Stafford made a play on Thursday that hurt the team’s chances of winning. Okay, it directly led to the loss. But how many other teams have we seen have quarterback issues over the years? A quick google search could show you the lengthy list of quarterback names on the back of jerseys – all looking for a serviceable QB. (Sorry Cleveland Browns fans…)

The Lions offense is almost unrecognizable right now. Stafford and running back Theo Riddick are the only healthy skill position players that fans are used to seeing line up for the Honolulu Blue on a regular basis. Trading Stafford means a full-blown rebuild is taking place, rather than the somewhat quiet, slow-moving rebuild that has been set in motion by general manager Bob Quinn and the arrival of new head coach Matt Patricia.

As so many seasons for Detroit Lions faithful end up, we’re looking at hope for the future before the start of December. Here’s what the team has going for them on the offensive side of the ball: a rebuilt offensive line (that might still need some work), a young and talented bell-cow running back (once he’s back from injury), and a very talented young receiver with star potential.

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The receiving corp could use some more depth and the tight end position could use a new star – or someone willing to fight for his route in the end zone. (Too soon?) Yes, change is inevitable. With another year lost from the goal of breaking the drought of years without a playoff win, the Lions are making a lot of changes. Let’s all hope they are positive and yield success in the future.