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PHILADELPHIA — While Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz and his teammates were quick to publicly welcome wide receiver Golden Tate to Philadelphia on Tuesday, the coaching staff contained its excitement behind-the-scenes.
Following weeks of struggles on offense, the Eagles were able to acquire a player who the staff thinks will make a major difference. Following the completion of the trade deadline deal with the Detroit Lions, Howie Roseman, the team’s executive vice president of football operations, acknowledged that Eagles coach Doug Pederson and his staff were pretty fond of the trade.
“When you talk to them and see the excitement on their faces for getting [Tate] in here and the way they can get him involved, and also the opportunities to open things up for our other players, it was really exciting just to hear that and that’s why we pulled the trigger,” Roseman said.
Breaking down Eagles’ deal for Lions’ Golden Tate
Coaching staff excitement was only part of the reason the Eagles traded a third-round pick for Tate. The Eagles’ front office was impressed with Tate’s production throughout his nine-year career. The 30-year-old playmaker has caught 581 passes for 6,936 receiving yards and 37 touchdowns since he was selected with a second-round pick in 2010.
“A tremendously productive player, and, at the end of the day, the price is what it is,” Roseman said. “When you look around the league and what the market is for these guys, there is no one more productive than Golden Tate. Since 2012, he’s in the top 10 in receiving yards, receptions. His run-after-the-catch numbers are phenomenal a they’re always at the top of the league. So, we’re really excited to get him.”
Along with his individual impact, Tate’s presence can open things up for his new teammates as well. The veteran wide receiver can free up tight end Zach Ertz and wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor to make bigger plays in the passing attack.
Tate’s versatility also allows the Eagles to spread the football around and give defenses different looks to overcome.
“For us, that’s another part of the excitement of bringing in this guy: his inside-out versatility,” Roseman said. “It’s the same with Nelly; he has inside-out versatility. Alshon lines up inside and out. Our coaches have a game plan for all of those guys and certainly [for] our tight ends in the middle of the field and the damage that they can do.”
While some may consider Tate’s third-round pick price tag to be hefty, especially considering his impending free agency, the Eagles feel like he will bring enough immediate impact to make the trade worthwhile.
“You’re always trying to get the best price,” Roseman said. “There is no doubt about it. But we’re not trying to win the trades. We’re trying to get really good players. The message to our fans, to our players, to our coaches, to everyone in this organization is our foot is always going to be on the gas. We’re always trying to win. We’re always going to try to put our best foot forward.”
Mike Kaye may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Mike_E_Kaye. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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