Golden Tate: I wasn’t criticizing Lions OC Joe Lombardi

Golden Tate criticized his team’s offensive approach earlier this week, noting that several opponents have called out plays before the Detroit Lions run them. But don’t worry, he wasn’t actually criticizing the team’s offensive approach.

On Wednesday, Tate insisted his comments were not meant to be shots at Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.

“I think Joe’s a heck of a coach,” Tate told Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press. “I can’t sit here and speak ill about a guy who helped take us to the playoffs and also a guy who helped me have a career year, who also put his tail on the line to get me here in this offense. He’s one of the first guys I met with when I came on my trip, so I have nothing but great things to say about him and I’m super, super appreciative for him.”

Denver Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby said after his team’s 24-12 win over Detroit that the Broncos defenders knew what the Lions were going to run on offense before they ran it. Tate said Roby was not the first person to say that this season, and he made it clear that he believes the Lions need to get better with play-calling and execution.

But on Wednesday, Tate wouldn’t elaborate or say what players had told him they knew Detroit’s plays.

“I don’t want to open this box up anymore,” he said. “I just wanted to clear it up.”

It’s pretty obvious that some things need to change for Detroit offensively, and they are not the only team that has been too predictable so far this season. That said, airing out your frustrations publicly is rarely a good idea. I’m sure Tate regrets creating tension in his own locker room.