Golden Tate

Former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate says his motive for coming to Detroit was "to catch more balls and make Pro Bowls." (AP File Photo/Paul Sancya)

(Paul Sancya)

In the immediate aftermath following Golden Tate's decision to leave the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and head for Detroit, the explanation was all about money.

"I'm going to earn in one year at Detroit what Seattle was going to pay me for two years," Tate said back in March when taken aback by the fans' reaction. "Seattle offered numbers that were laughable. I thought, 'I've given you everything and this is what you give me?'"

Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) runs a route while sitting out of practice during the Lions' organized team activities at the Detroit Lions headquarters in Allen Park Tuesday, June 3, 2014. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

Detroit signed Tate to a five-year, $31 million deal.

"If you have an opportunity to earn way more money in another city, you'll leave in a second. Every single person in the world would have done what I did," Tate said in March.

But as time has passed and emotions have subsided, the nuances of Tate's decision are coming to light.

"I hated being tackled (last year) because I didn't know when my next ball was going to come," Tate joked in an interview Monday with ESPN's First Take. "I have a chance to catch more balls and make Pro Bowls (in Detroit)."

Tate had more receptions than any other Seahawk last season with 64. His 64 receptions and 898 yards were both career highs for Tate, but he was still left wanting in a run first, heavy on the defense franchise.

Ironically, he felt his catch thirst could be quenched by becoming another team's No. 2 guy.

"I think if I can stay healthy, God forbid, it's going to be fun. I have a chance to catch a ton more balls," Tate said. "I'm going to see a lot of single coverage. I'm probably going to see a lot of No. 2 and No. 3 cornerbacks because everyone's going to be on No. 81 (Calvin Johnson). I'm excited.

"I think the sky's the limit. I think it's going to get back to the old Golden."

The Lions ranked No. 3 in the NFL last season in passing, averaging 280.1 yards receiving per game. They threw the ball 214 times more last season (634 attempts), than the Seahawks (420 attempts), who ranked No. 26 out of 32 overall in passing.

That statistical category is obviously not congruous with a franchise's postseason success, but it is certainly appealing to a wide receiver in the prime of his career.

Tate -- whose receptions and yards have consistently risen over his four NFL seasons -- also feels he will benefit from assets of his new quarterback, Matthew Stafford. In fact, Tate was asked bluntly Monday to compare Stafford with his old quarterback Russell Wilson.

"They both throw pretty balls," Tate said. "I would definitely say Matt Stafford's balls get there way quicker. I like Stafford's touch. He can place a ball wherever he wants. I've been in practice, running a seam route where I thought I was covered. But he put a ball up and over my left shoulder and all of the sudden I was open. There's going to be small windows and guys there ready to hit you.

"But if you can place a ball (like he does), that's going to help my chances of making a play and probably saving me from a headache."

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