Golden Tate is joining a Lions offense that's expected to feature a much more wide-open scheme than the one he played in Seattle. He's expecting more opportunities to make plays in the passing game.
New offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi has brought over a lot of concepts from New Orleans’ offense after spending the last seven years there as both an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach.
“I watched some tape on the Saints over the last few years and just looking at that – I haven’t talked to coach Lombardi that much – I see myself being a Lance Moore type of player, but just more explosive and able to do a few more things,” Tate said.
“That’s exciting, because Lance Moore caught a lot of balls and he’s a terrific player that did a lot for the Saints. That’s kind of how I see myself having the best receiver in the league (Calvin Johnson), and one of the best to ever to play the game, opposite of me or sometimes on the same side.”
Tate has top 20 potential if he gets enough work in the offense, though that may be a bit of a stretch. The top 30 seems likely given his per target production and the role he'll have in the offense, provided the Lions don't draft a starter-caliber wideout this summer. Click here for an in-depth look at Tate by Senior Editor John Paulsen.
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