It’s time for the Lions to take the next step, according to the team’s best player on offense last year, Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press reports.
“I think it’s time for us to consistently, year in and year out, win ballgames,” receiver Golden Tate said in a phone interview. “I think we have the personnel. I think we have the coach, the coaching staff. I think we have a heck of a fan base.
“It’s time. We’re trying to shake ‘the same old Lions.’ We’re trying to become — I thought we were good — I think we’re trying to become elite now. I think we’re trying to compete with the Packers and give them a run for their money and take over our division year in and year out.”
Quarterback Matthew Stafford said he wants to meet with some teammates in July for pre-training camp workouts in Atlanta. Tate didn’t hesitate when he was asked whether he would participate.
“Oh, 100%, 100%,” he said. “We need every moving part to be there if they can. We understand that people have things already on their schedule. But I know if my schedule’s free, I’m going to try my best to make it, because this is the most important thing in my life — that’s playing football and playing for the city of Detroit and trying to win ballgames.”