In our NFC North Roster Reset, Gregg Rosenthal pointed out that Golden Tate was the Detroit Lions' sole big addition this offseason. Coming off a disappointing season, Detroit expects a lot out of that one splash signing.
"I think this offense is going to fit better for me as a player than Seattle's did," Tate told the team's official website.
What pass-catching player wouldn't trade a run-heavy offense for one that loves to chuck it around?
Matthew Stafford has averaged 675 pass attempts the past three seasons. During new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi's seven years with the New Orleans Saints -- whose offense he plans to emulate -- Drew Brees threw fewer than 600 passes in a season just once.
Tate already has an idea of who he could imitate in that type of offense.
"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.
Moore had some very good seasons for the Saints, including a 1,041-yard season in 2012 and a 928-yard, 10-touchdown year with 79 catches in 2008. His ability to play second fiddle to Marques Colston and Jimmy Graham made him a valuable asset in Brees' offense.
The offense Tate ran in Seattle attempted just north of 400 passes last season (420), which is more than 200 fewer attempts than the Lions will likely throw in 2014 -- if past indicators remain in place.
Tate's ability to break tackles and not drop passes makes him an ideal fit next to Calvin Johnson. Now, Lombardi must transform his only big offseason upgrade into a souped-up version of Lance Moore.
The latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast" covers the Aldon Smith arrest and analyzes the offseason movers and shakers in the NFC East and NFC South.
