Quote:<a class="" href='https://twitter.com/RapSheet'><span>@RapSheet </span> </a>
<p class="">The <a class="" href='https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Lions'>#Lions</a> have announced a five-year deal for WR Golden Tate
No financials.
Nice WR2 to pair with Johnson
Fits right in with all the other dirty players in Detroitlet
Wouldn't be surprised if he ended up in the slot while Durham handles the outside.
Quote:Wouldn't be surprised if he ended up in the slot while Durham handles the outside.
replace Durham with Sammy Watkins and I agree.
If they still trade up for Watkins, dynamic offense
<a class="" href='https://twitter.com/JosinaAnderson'>
Josina Anderson <span style="color:rgb(177,187,195);">@JosinaAnderson</span> </a> <a class="" href='https://twitter.com/JosinaAnderson/status/443838124897345536'>4m</a>
<p class="" style="color:rgb(41,47,51);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Golden Tate to me just now: "Yes I am taking the deal (with the Lions). It is a 5-year deal for $31M and $13.25M guaranteed."
Quote:
<div style="color:rgb(41,47,51);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Josina Anderson <span style="color:rgb(177,187,195);">@JosinaAnderson</span> 4m
<p style="color:rgb(41,47,51);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Golden Tate to me just now: "Yes I am taking the deal (with the Lions). It is a 5-year deal for $31M and $13.25M guaranteed."
</div>
Wow, over 6 MIL per for that scrub. Decker will clearly get more. prob 8-9 MIL per.
According to what Lions beat writer Dave Birkett mentioned on Twitter, Golden Tate said that the Jaguars and Jets both expressed interest in him.
kenudo and TMD, what specifically don't you like about what Golden Tate brings to the table as a player?
Quote:Wouldn't be surprised if he ended up in the slot while Durham handles the outside.
I'll be surprised if Kris Durham remains a starter when all of the dust settles.
My guess is the Lions are going to either sign another WR FA and/ or draft at least one. Depending on who else is added to the team mix, that will likely determine how much playing time Golden Tate gets outside, compared to the slot.
Quote:If they still trade up for Watkins, dynamic offense
While so much can change before and during the draft, the most likely scenario for the Lions in the draft, if the team remains in the pick # 10 spot, would IMO be CB Justin Gilbert if he's available. Before today, I thought Mike Evans was a prime candidate for pick # 10, along with Gilbert. Trading up for Sammy Watkins, if the price wasn't prohibitive, was also a realistic possibility.
Now that Golden Tate is in the Lions fold, my guess is the Lions will wait until later on in the draft, maybe even the 2nd Round, to select a WR. Of course I'm going under the assumption that Sammy Watkins will be off the board by pick # 10.
Quote:kenudo and TMD, what specifically don't you like about what Golden Tate brings to the table as a player?
my take is I don't like short WR as outside WR. He was productive his last 2 years at Seattle, but I think his price tag is too much as well.
Now, I do think that if Detroit can play him in the slot, with a Sammy Watkins pick in the first, then I think that would be ideal. I don't like him as an outside WR. I don't like any short WR as outside WRs. Everyone mentions Steve Smith, but thats an outlier.
Quote:my take is I don't like short WR as outside WR. He was productive his last 2 years at Seattle, but I think his price tag is too much as well.
Now, I do think that if Detroit can play him in the slot, with a Sammy Watkins pick in the first, then I think that would be ideal. I don't like him as an outside WR. I don't like any short WR as outside WRs. Everyone mentions Steve Smith, but thats an outlier.
Thanks for your reply.
While I respect your opinion regarding size on the outside, in addition to Steve Smith, Desean Jackson has been a difference maker on many occasions on the outside. Jackson, like Golden Tate, is 5' 10" . Tate has much more weight on his frame than Jackson has on his. Though the price the Lions paid for Tate wasn't cheap, one major reason I'm comfortable with him on the outside is he's a terrific blocker.
Quote:Overrated.
He's not overrated, but they overpaid him slightly.
Quote:Thanks for your reply.
While I respect your opinion regarding size on the outside, in addition to Steve Smith, Desean Jackson has been a difference maker on many occasions on the outside. Jackson, like Golden Tate, is 5' 10" . Tate has much more weight on his frame than Jackson has on his. Though the price the Lions paid for Tate wasn't cheap, one major reason I'm comfortable with him on the outside is he's a terrific blocker.
and also a good punt returner.
I'm sad to see Golden go, but I expected someone will pay him more than what we were prepared (I think 4 to 4,5M per year was our maximum). He's paid like a #2 WR and I believe he'll play outside and get a good production in a pass-first offense alongside Megatron.
Quote:my take is I don't like short WR as outside WR. He was productive his last 2 years at Seattle, but I think his price tag is too much as well.
Now, I do think that if Detroit can play him in the slot, with a Sammy Watkins pick in the first, then I think that would be ideal. I don't like him as an outside WR. I don't like any short WR as outside WRs. Everyone mentions Steve Smith, but thats an outlier.
Watkins won't be there at #10 and I also think they have enough weapons on offense and should improve their secondary with first pick.
Quote:He's not overrated, but they overpaid him slightly.
and also a good punt returner.
I'm sad to see Golden go, but I expected someone will pay him more than what we were prepared (I think 4 to 4,5M per year was our maximum). He's paid like a #2 WR and I believe he'll play outside and get a good production in a pass-first offense alongside Megatron.
Watkins won't be there at #10 and I also think they have enough weapons on offense and should improve their secondary with first pick.
Thanks for your input.
Golden Tate mentioned that he would like to return Punts for the Lions. Below I'll post a link that has some quotes from him about this.
While I agree with you that Tate is good in that role, if given the choice I rather Jeremy Ross remain the Lions return specialist. Ross was a tremendous find by GM Martin Mayhew. Ross was cut by the Packers early in the season, signed to the Lions Practice Squad, then a few weeks later was signed to the 53 man roster. Ross had a Kickoff and Punt Return for a TD in the snow at Philadelphia back in December. With Tate invaluable to the Lions at WR, I prefer that he's only used on Punt Returns if a game is on the line and the coaches believe he's a better option than Ross.
http://www.freep.com/article/20140313/SP...roit-lions
Regarding weapons on Offense, if the Lions lose Brandon Pettigrew in Free Agency, which could happen in minutes, hours, or days, TE is going to have to be addressed either in FA and/ or the draft. Probably not with pick # 10 though, based on likely draft value. Another WR is needed but I agree with you that the Secondary is now a higher priority.
Quote:Regarding weapons on Offense, if the Lions lose Brandon Pettigrew in Free Agency, which could happen in minutes, hours, or days, TE is going to have to be addressed either in FA and/ or the draft. Probably not with pick # 10 though, based on likely draft value. Another WR is needed but I agree with you that the Secondary is now a higher priority.
I thought the the lions were high on Joseph Fauria?
Quote:I thought the the lions were high on Joseph Fauria?
He's probably going to have an increased role in 2014. In 2013, except when Brandon Pettigrew was injured, Joseph Fauria was primarily used in the red zone. He excelled as a red zone receiver.
While Fauria has a very good work ethic, for him to emerge as a starting TE, he needs to substantially improve his in-line blocking. Right now, Fauria is a liability as an in-line blocker, though he did show some improvement as the season went on. Fauria certainly needs to improve his overall strength.
I think it is a good signing for Detroit. He fits well there and if they use him outside the majority of the time I'd be surprised. Gopd speedy compliment WR.
Quote:I think it is a good signing for Detroit. He fits well there and if they use him outside the majority of the time I'd be surprised. Gopd speedy compliment WR.
Unless Ryan Broyles comes back from a torn Achilles tendon, this after 2 separate ACL injuries around a year apart, the Lions still have a missing piece at WR.
A major benefit with Golden Tate is his versatilty at WR. That gives the Lions the flexibility to add different types of WR's. Based on what the Lions add at the position and Broyles' latest comeback attempt, that IMO will go along way in determining how much Tate plays outside vs. the Slot.