Morning Lions Links for Wednesday 10-31-18

Articles:

Yes, the Detroit Lions trading Golden Tate made sense. Here's why:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/10/31/detroit-lions-golden-tate-trade/1821285002/

Detroit Lions just threw this season in trash by trading Golden Tate:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/10/30/detroit-lions-trade-golden-tate/1823705002/

Seidel: Trading Tate a win for Lions' future:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/jeff-seidel/2018/10/30/detroit-lions-make-smart-move-trading-golden-tate/1824170002/

Wojo: Golden Tate trade painful for Lions, but necessary:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/2018/10/30/golden-tate-trade-painful-lions-but-necessary/1817695002/

Lions film review: 5 observations vs. Seahawks:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/10/30/detroit-lions-film-review-5-observations-vs-seattle-seahawks/1825189002/

Lions need more Golladay after Tate trade:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/10/30/detroit-lions-need-more-kenny-golladay-after-golden-tate-trade/1824221002/

Lions' Crosby 'was ready to go' in NFL debut:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/10/30/detroit-lions-tyrell-crosby-has-solid-debut-left-tackle-fill/1824676002/

How the Detroit Lions will replace Golden Tate in the offense:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/10/how_the_detroit_lions_will_rep.html

Golden Tate bids Detroit a fond farewell: 'We are forever thankful':  https://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/10/golden_tate_bids_detroit_a_fon.html

After trading Golden Tate, it's clear the Lions don't think they can compete in 2018:   https://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/10/after_trading_golden_tate_its.html

Lions loss is Eagles gain: Philadelphia fans ecstatic at Golden Tate trade:   https://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/10/many_eagles_fans_ecstatic_at_t.html

Lions players seem none too thrilled by Golden Tate trade:   https://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/10/lions_players_seem_none_too_th.html

Pat Caputo - Golden Tate trade sign Lions' GM Bob Quinn gets it:  https://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/pat-caputo---golden-tate-trade-sign-lions-gm/article_80975f14-dccb-11e8-b10b-8befce8c9eab.html

How Golden Tate trade may improve Lions offense:  https://247sports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/Article/Golden-Tate-trade-may-improve-Lions-offense-124022259/

Did Packers and Lions just wave white flag in the NFC North?:   https://www.profootballweekly.com/2018/10/30/did-packers-and-lions-just-wave-white-flag-in-the-nfc-north/a30pa3e/

Eagles strike Gold(en), trade third-round pick for Lions WR Tate:  https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-eagles-strike-golden-trade-third-round-pick-for-lions-wr-tate

15 stats to know from Week 8 in the NFL (DAMON HARRISON SHINED IN HIS LIONS DEBUT - Big Snacks didn’t disappoint in his Detroit Lions debut. Damon Harrison recorded five run stops against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8, which tied for the most among all interior defensive linemen this past week.):   https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-15-stats-to-know-after-week-8

NFL trade deadline: All the winners and losers (Losers - Matthew Stafford:  The Lions should be fine on offense, relatively speaking, because they still have Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay. Detroit is starting to establish the run for the first time in forever, utilizing Kerryon Johnson in an effective manner and creating a balanced offense. It hasn't resulted in Stafford having a ton of passing attempts or fantasy points, but the Lions are better off for it as a team. Unfortunately for Stafford, he just lost his top receiving option in Tate, so the team could land a third-round pick. Not only does that take away a guy he's developed a serious rapport with over the last several years, but it might signal the Lions don't see themselves as a team ready to make any sort of deep run in the NFC just yet. That's fair; there are much better teams right now. But it isn't the move you want to see if you're the starting quarterback of any team. You want to be the guy getting the weapon.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2018-nfl-trade-deadline-winners-losers-jon-gruden-carson-wentz-are-biggest-winners/

2018 NFL Trade Deadline Grades (For the Lions: This is a weird little move considering how well they've played in recent weeks. I kind of thought the Lions might try and make a move in the NFC North, but giving up Tate indicates they're less likely to consider themselves contenders? Maybe? They still have Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay as pass catchers, so it's not like Matthew Stafford is bereft of weapons. The Lions were likely going to lose Tate next year anyway if they weren't willing to pay him, so this means they bring in a third-round pick that will be better than any compensatory pick they would have received back and open up targets for other guys.
Grade: B):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2018-nfl-trade-deadline-grades-raiders-broncos-score-high-marks-for-dumping-amari-cooper-demaryius-thomas/

NFL trade winners, losers: Packers pull surprise (Winners - Lions: Yet I like Detroit's approach. This squad probably isn't reaching the playoffs, likely true even before Tate was exported. But let's parse what GM Bob Quinn has done. He added an accomplished run stuffer last week by picking up former Giant Damon Harrison, who could remain with the program beyond this year, for a fifth rounder. Detroit then lost to Seattle on Sunday, dropping to 3-4 and obviously shifting Quinn's perspective. Adding a third rounder for Tate, who's only under contract for eight more games, seems like a perfectly reasonable — dare I say savvy — maneuver given the presence of Marvin Jones and emergent Kenny Golladay in the passing game. Bravo, Bob.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/10/30/nfl-trade-deadline-winners-losers-packers-patriots-eagles/1823831002/

NFL Trade Deadline 2018: Winners, Losers and Everything in Between (WE’LL SEE - Philadelphia and Detroit:  I know I’m supposed to have a take here, and the take better be hot, but I just don’t know how to feel about the Golden Tate trade. I want to say both teams won here because the Lions got a third-rounder for a guy they likely wouldn’t re-sign in a year where they may not make the playoffs. And the Eagles landed a top-flight receiver just as they start to heat up to defend their Super Bowl crown.  On the other side, Jacksonville got more for Dante Fowler than Detroit did for Tate. And even if I don’t think the Lions are going to win the NFC North, they’re still just 3–4 in a division where no team has more than four-and-a-half wins. And for a third-round price, the Eagles better be able to sign Tate to an extension or else he’s just a half-season rental. Of course, if Philadelphia goes back-to-back, then the trade is a clear win.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/10/30/nfl-trade-deadline-2018-winners-losers

Grading the Big Moves of the 2018 NFL Trade Deadline (DAMON HARRISON TO THE LIONS: A great move on the cheap for Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia, who beef up their run support and give themselves a flexible, three down type Vince Wilfork presence. Harrison is coming from a drained Giants locker room but should have some good football left. He’s athletic enough to play in two or three spots along the line, which is especially helpful for a coordinator and head coach who need to change things up in order to be effective. GRADE: B):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/10/30/nfl-trade-deadline-2018-grades

Winners and losers at trade deadline (Moving Down - Matthew Stafford and Lions fans: Give Lions general manager Bob Quinn credit for getting a strong return for Golden Tate. Four years of a low-cost third-round pick is worth more than nine games from Tate for a 3-4 team that is not in a title window. With that said, Tate was the team's leader in receptions and yards. He was one of the better free-agent signings in Lions history, more than earning his keep on the five-year, $31 million contract he signed in 2014.  This trade makes the 2018 Lions team worse, and it makes Stafford's life more difficult down the stretch. The Lions' passing game had rounded into form over the last month, and Detroit played its top three wideouts (Tate, Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay) almost exclusively at the position. Fifth-year wideout T.J. Jones figures to be next in line, but that's a steep drop-off from Tate.):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000981598/article/winners-and-losers-from-the-2018-nfl-trade-deadline

Rookie rankings: James edges Barkley for top spot (7. Kerryon Johnson - Thanks to Johnson, the Lions finally have a legit running game. He is ultra-patient and his smooth running style is a joy to watch.):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000981619/article/2018-nfl-rookie-rankings-derwin-james-tops-list-at-midseason

Video:

Sights and Sounds: Week 8 vs Seattle:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/sights-and-sounds-week-8-vs-seattle

Watch: Addressing false narratives surrounding the Tate trade:   https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2018/10/30/watch-addressing-false-narratives-surrounding-the-tate-trade/