Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Golden Tate lit up the stat sheets for the Detroit Lions in 2014, en route to his most productive season in his five-year career. Tate caught 99 balls for 1,331 yards and four touchdowns. Now entering his sixth season and second season in Detroit, Tate has his eyes set on something much bigger than individual statistics – a Super Bowl ring.
Reports stated that Tate was recently quoted as saying he would much rather sacrifice his personal triumphs for a Super Bowl win. Surely, most players would agree with that sentiment. Tate knows what it takes to win a championship, as he was part of the Seattle Seahawk’s Super Bowl-winning team in 2013-2014.
Tate has taken somewhat of a leadership role with the Lions. After a disappointing playoff loss to the Dallas Cowboys last season, Tate issued a challenge in the locker room to his teammates (or at least those that would be returning) to use the offseason to get better than they have ever been. He has reportedly been impressed with his teammates’ improvements, physiques and focus.
Tate has the luxury of playing with one of the greatest wide receivers in the NFL, starting opposite of the beast that is Calvin Johnson. Together the two make up one of the best wide receiver tandems in the league. Johnson was injured for a good part of 2014, missing three games and playing at less than 100 percent in several other contests. Tate may have been the beneficiary of an unhealthy Megatron, but he certainly proved what he can do.
Tate can line up all over the field. In 2015, he will likely be used on the outside, in the slot, on end-around plays and potentially more. With Johnson, Eric Ebron (who is expected by many to break out this season) and the recently signed Lance Moore in Detroit’s arsenal, strong-armed quarterback Matthew Stafford has a lot of weapons – and Tate may be his versatile.
The running game is also supposed to be improved this year. The Lions used the offseason to build up the offensive line and added rookie Ameer Abdullah and guard Laken Tomlinson through the draft. If Detroit’s rushing attack does improve, it will only do wonders for Tate, Johnson and the other receivers. Defenses will have to respect it and bring more players into the box if the Lions prove they can ground and pound.
Tate pretty much has a starting receiver role set in stone, but that doesn’t mean he will not work hard in training camp. Tate knows his dream of Detroit making its first Super Bowl ever hinders on the hard work of every player, especially the key players. He should be more familiar with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s offense, which only translates into nightmares for opposing defensive coordinators.
It will be interesting to see exactly how Tate is used, but expect him to be all over the field and to snag close to 100 balls again. Look for Tate to be a leader this season as well, as he has already shown that ability.
