Golden Tate was missing from practice Wednesday following multiple rants about his role in the New York Giants offense.
During Monday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the veteran receiver yelled “throw me the damn ball” toward the Giants sideline following his first target and catch of the game in the fourth quarter.
When he caught a touchdown later in the game, he reiterated that stance directly into an ESPN camera.
WR Golden Tate is a player the Giants are trying to move. The money (still owed almost $4.5M this year) could be prohibitive.
But Tate’s role with Giants has been shrinking (54% of snaps on Monday night). Only 5 targets past two weeks. Frustration growing?
“Throw me the ball!” pic.twitter.com/pZ85vmiyue
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) November 3, 2020
Tate’s wife weighs in
After the game, a 25-23 Tampa Bay win, Tate’s wife Elise Tate joined the fray, posting a 330-word rant on Instagram declaring “I’m lit” over her husband’s lack of targets.
“It’s excruciating to watch and killing his stats this year but you can’t have yards on a few to no targets,” Elise wrote. “He’s CRAZY Making the most of what comes his way that’s for sure tho. Every time.”
She followed that post up with another demanding that the Giants “FEED HIM THE BALL.”
Both posts were eventually taken down but the damage was apparently done.
Joe Judge addresses Tate’s absence
Tate was not at practice Wednesday following a conversation with head coach Joe Judge. He’s slated to return to the team Thursday.
“I spoke to Golden at length today and we’re dealing internally with a lot of things,” Judge told reporters. “We have a walk-through today. He is not going to be at the walk-through today but he will be back in the building and practicing with us the remainder of the week. It will be business as usual.”
Golden Tate is not happy with his usage in the Giants offense. (Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Tate’s absence from practice arrives a day after the NFL trade deadline. If the Giants had any intention of trading their disgruntled receiver, they’ll have to wait until the offseason.
Tate, 32, has 22 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns through seven games, putting him on pace for his lowest output for a full season in nine years. He signed a four-year $37.5 million deal with the Giants in March of 2019.
Judge won’t ‘tolerate … selfish behavior’
A lot has changed in New York since then, including the drafting of quarterback Daniel Jones, who has struggled in his 20 games as a Giants starter. The Giants also have new sideline leadership this season in rookie head coach Judge.
It’s clear that not everybody’s on the same page.
“It has to be team-first for everyone in this building, every coach and every player,” Judge continued on Wednesday. “There are no exceptions for that. I’m not going to tolerate and put up with any kind of selfish behavior from anybody.”
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