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Wide receiver Golden Tate signed a five-year deal with the Detroit Lions on Wednesday afternoon. Later, the team officially introduced him by holding a press conference, and you can check out a recap of what he had to say below.
Jim Caldwell on the Lions' plans for Tate:
Caldwell: Tate will play inside and outside at receiver
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) March 12, 2014
Caldwell said Lions were looking for No. 2 and "Golden Tate is going to be that individual."
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) March 12, 2014
Caldwell on Tate's character:
Lions coach Jim Caldwell praises Golden Tate's talent as well as leadership. "He's an outstanding player and an even better person."
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) March 12, 2014
Tate on his number (he wore 81 in Seattle):
Golden Tate said Calvin Johnson can keep No. 81, obviously. #Lions
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) March 12, 2014
Golden Tate said he doesn't know what number's available and doesn't care "just excited to be here and play some football."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 12, 2014
Tate on what drew him to the Lions:
Golden Tate: Any time I have an opportunity to play with one of the greatest receivers to ever play the game I’m going to jump on that.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) March 12, 2014
Golden Tate said he was impressed that Ford Jr. took the time to meet with him today. Made him feel wanted.
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) March 12, 2014
Tate said he's familiar with the Midwest and the weather, which was actually a selling point.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) March 12, 2014
Tate said he's a big golfer, and that was another selling point for him. Talked about that in his 15-20 minute conversation with Ford Jr.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 12, 2014
Golden Tate said there's a ton of good golf courses in Michigan -- another selling point.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) March 12, 2014
Tate puts a huge emphasis on going to a non run-heavy offense. Clearly one aspect he loves about coming to Detroit.
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) March 12, 2014
Tate on the Lions' pass-heavy offense:
Tate excited to join a team that "throws a bunch." Also excited that Calvin draws double teams.
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) March 12, 2014
Tate said he's excited to be in a pass-first offense "especially coming from a run heavy offense that all the notoriety went to the defense"
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 12, 2014
Tate on playing with Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson:
Tate said Matthew Stafford has an "incredible" arm.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) March 12, 2014
Tate commending Matt Stafford for being able to make all the throws. "I see this offense opening up a lot, and I want to play a huge role"
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) March 12, 2014
Tate said he excels at catching balls away from his body. "I strongly believe I’m going to help Stafford with his completions."
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) March 12, 2014
Tate: "I see myself being a great complement to Calvin, I see him being a great complement to myself."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 12, 2014
Tate: "There’s so many things you can do with a player like myself and Calvin that it’s going to be hard to stop us."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 12, 2014
Tate jokes about Calvin's quiet, calm demeanor. Tate said he might have to speak up for him a bit.
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) March 12, 2014
Tate on the interest he received from other teams:
Jaguars, Jets, and Seahawks also showed interest in Tate. Seattle had an offer.
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) March 12, 2014
Tate said the Jets and Jaguars weren't as tempting as the Lions or Seahawks.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) March 12, 2014
Tate: "I had a great 4 years in Seattle and I'm going to miss that place to death ... But to me it just made more sense to come here."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 12, 2014
Tate said he thought he was going to stay in Sea: "I kind of did. I did expect to be in Seattle. I knew there was a chance that I wouldn't."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 12, 2014
Tate on the future of Detroit and the Lions:
Tate on Detroit: "This is another city like Seattle that’s thriving for something great to happen."
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) March 12, 2014
Tate: "I see this team being good, being good for a long time, winning games."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 12, 2014
Tate: "I just feel like we’re close. After looking at all the pieces and the plan, I feel like this organization is close."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 12, 2014
Tate on his leadership and charity work:
Tate hopes to bring vocal to leadership, but said he has to prove himself on the field to his new teammates first.
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) March 12, 2014
Tate said one of his big ?s for Bill Ford Jr was about charity outreach of the team. "That's one of the things I'm looking forward to"
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 12, 2014
Golden Tate said he has a passion for working with autistic kids. That stems for being around Charlie Weis' kid
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) March 12, 2014
Tate on the last 24 hours or so and his travel plans:
Tate said he laid in bed last night watching Lions highlights
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) March 12, 2014
Golden Tate said he had a 5:30 a.m. wake-up call for his physical this morning. #Lions
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) March 12, 2014
Golden Tate said there weren't any flights outbound for him today. Also said there's a sleep room in the practice facility. Took a nap.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) March 12, 2014
Tate said he couldn't get a flight out, which was probably a good thing. Jim Caldwell: "Part of the plan." #Lions
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) March 12, 2014
Tate said he was set to fly back to L.A. on a 12:30/1 p.m. flight, couldn't get out. Said he thinks deal woulda got done even if he left
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 12, 2014
By the way, Golden Tate is heading back to Los Angeles tonight. His sisters, who go to Ole Miss, are there on spring break.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) March 12, 2014
Tate on potentially returning punts for the Lions:
Tate said he wants to return punts for the Lions, though that hasn't been figured out yet. Met with ST coordinator John Bonamego today.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 12, 2014
Tate on his attitude:
Golden Tate said he's going to show up every day and prepare like he's the No. 1 receiver.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) March 12, 2014