Golden Tate hasn’t taken step back, believes Detroit writer

Golden Tate spent four and a half seasons with the Detroit Lions. In each of his four full seasons, Tate caught more than 90 passes. He was on pace to do that again in 2018 with 44 catches in seven games when the Lions traded Tate to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he made only 30 receptions the rest of the season.

So, what are the Giants getting in the soon-to-be 31-year-old? Are they getting a guy who is still at the top of his game, can still catch gobs of passes, can still make big plays with the ball in his hands? Or, are they getting a past-his-prime veteran who complicates the offense because his skills duplicate those of Sterling Shepard?

Jeremy Reisman of SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit, which ably covers the Detroit Lions, watched Tate during his entire time with the Lions. On the ‘Valentine’s Views’ podcast, Reisman told me “I honestly haven’t seen Golden Tate take a step back yet.”

Tate has specialized in something that former Giant Odell Beckham Jr. was known for, and statistically has been even better at it. That, of course, is creating yards after catch.

Pro Football Focus credited Tate with forcing more missed tackles than any wide receiver from 2013-2017. Since 2013 Tate has consistently been among the top wide receivers in yards after catch, and led the league in that category in 2014 and 2017, and was No. 2 in 2016.

“He’s so shifty, he’s so smart with how to use his blocks, how to slip between defenders and his short distance speed is still there,” Reisman said.

“Anything that can get him the ball within the first five yards from scrimmage he’s capable of taking it much, much longer than that.”

Other topics:

• Ex-Giant Damon Harrison and his desire for a new contract.
• Thoughts on other ex-Giants Romeo Okwara and Devon Kennard.
• Assessing the pressure on Matt Patricia as he enters Year 2 as Detroit’s head coach.

Listen to the full episode below.

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