GMEN HQ
FanSided

NY Giants expect Golden Tate back, but his role is anyone’s guess post benching

By Matt Lombardo

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 23: Golden Tate #15 of the New York Giants runs drill at NY Giants Quest Diagnostics Training Center on August 23, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 23: Golden Tate #15 of the New York Giants runs drill at NY Giants Quest Diagnostics Training Center on August 23, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The NY Giants expect to have Golden Tate back in the lineup, after he was benched last week

The NY Giants expect wide receiver Golden Tate to be back on the field this week and in action for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the veteran’s role is uncertain after he was benched last week.

Tate was left behind when the team traveled to Washington last Sunday after he screamed “throw me the ball” into the ESPN cameras after he caught a touchdown pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and his wife posted an inflammatory post on Instagram criticizing his usage.

However, if Tate expects to return to the starting lineup or immediately become a focal point of the offense again, he might have another thing coming.

“We don’t feel the pressure to get anyone involved early,” Giants WR coach Tyke Tolbert said Tuesday. “Coach Garrett calls the game as he sees fit, and will help the team the best. There’s no individual over the team. We always stress that. Whatever works for our offense is what we’re going to go with.”

It sure sounds like offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and Tolbert won’t be playing favorites with Daniel Jones’ targets early in the game to help assuage some of the veteran receiver’s frustrations.

Tate has caught 22 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns in seven games this season. But, undrafted rookie free agent Austin Mack stepped up in Tate’s absence, and there might be more value for the Giants to give the Ohio State alum more valuable snaps over the second half of the season to determine whether he can be a meaningful contributor in 2021 and beyond.

“What he’s been doing since Day 1, he’s a hard worker, a smart guy, he’s really tough in the running game,” Tolbert said of Mack. “And it was nice to see him make some plays in the passing game. That’s good for him and good for us to have some success with him.”

Giants head coach Joe Judge has stressed a team-first mentality from every member of the organization, and Tate’s showboating and publicly airing of grievences was the first real test. Judge clearly made an example of Tate last week, and we just might learn just how far Judge is willing to extend Tate’s penance this Sunday.

Next. Giants stay or go: Who's worth keeping in 2021?. dark

Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.

Home/NY Giants News