Detroit Lions notes: Newlywed Golden Tate excited for fresh start; 2017 schedule Thursday

Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate speaks to the media at the Lions facility in Allen Park on Tuesday, April 18. (Oakland Press photo/Paula Pasche)

By Paula Pasche | The Oakland Press

PUBLISHED: April 18, 2017 at 4:12 p.m. | UPDATED: June 17, 2021 at 6:25 a.m.

ALLEN PARK >> Golden Tate returned to work with the Lions with hope, a big smile and a wedding band.

The wide receiver loves this time of the year because it means a fresh start.

The Lions started their offseason workout program on Monday.

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They’ve got some work to do after a late-season collapse in 2016 they saw them barely get into the playoffs.

One big issue with the offense was dropped passes.

“Drops, we had a problem with drops last year, that’s not in our DNA , that’s not who we are, it’s kind of embarrassing,” Tate said on Tuesday. “That’s one thing I personally want to work on is catching the ball since that is my job.”

Tate had a slow start in the 2016 season, with 14 catches for 95 yards and no touchdowns in the first four games. He finished for the third straight season with 90 or more receptions (91) and more than 1,000 receiving yards (1,077).

“I guess to some it might be impressive. Looking back at last year, I didn’t have the year I expected, the year I wanted. I kind of hold myself to a higher standard,” Tate said. “I wouldn’t say a terrible year but I want to do more for this organization. Be a little better in a lot of areas of my game and help this organization out a little bit more. If that’s two more win, four more wins, whatever that may be. … I’m looking for more, more wins first and foremost.”

His approach won’t radically change.

“I would just say to worry about the things I can control – how I show up to work every day, the effort I give, the leadership I provide and everything is going to work out. That’s probably the biggest thing,” Tate said.”It’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish and that’s real. I had an OK number, an OK season the way I see it, I want to be a lot better for this organization, for my teammates.”

Like Matthew Stafford a new dad of twin girls, Tate had a life-changing moment when he got married on March 11 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

“I feel like I’m a lot wiser after the big day. Today I noticed I was in a lot better shape. Usually I come into this time of year a little heavy from all the Chipotle, eating out. Now that I’m married, I’m getting some serious home-cooked meals, my body fat is down I feel like I’m in better shape,” Tate said. It’s not a huge amount but he’s down about three or four pounds.

Tate mentioned his wife and his wedding several times.

“We were there 10 days and had an absolute blast. Some of our closest friends there supporting us, family in Cabo, Mexico,” Tate said. “Not a cloud in the sky a lot of golf, we had a boat cruise with 210 people to start the weekend. Then Friday with the entire hotel rented out to our guests, we had a rehearsal brunch, then a pool party that lasted all day. We were on the beach playing games – volleyball, hitting golf balls into the ocean. We had a great time. The wedding was incredible. Elise did a phenomenal job of planning it, all the little details were incredible. So hats off to my wife, she’s the bomb.”

Roster moves

Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas was signed as a restricted free agent. The team made the announcement on Tuesday.

Lucas returns to Detroit after originally joining the team in 2014 as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Kansas State. In his first three seasons with the Lions (2014-16), he appeared in 35 games (six starts) and two postseason games.

The Lions also announced that the defensive end Brandon Copeland, defensive end Kerry Hyder and wide receiver TJ Jones signed their exclusive rights free agent tenders.