Jermaine Kearse looking forward to Golden Tate’s return

The Seahawks didn’t play the Lions in 2014, meaning there was no reunion with beloved/controversial former teammate Golden Tate. That changes Monday night, when winless Detroit meets Seattle at CenturyLink Field. And fellow wide receiver Jermaine Kearse hopes for a chance to literally meet him on the field.

“Golden is one of my really good friends,” Kearse said Tuesday on 710 ESPN’s “Danny, Dave and Moore.” “So I’m excited to play against him. Well, not really against him. I hope he gets to do punt return and I get to be a gunner.”

Tate spent four years with the Seahawks, earned a Super Bowl ring, and collected 165 catches and 15 touchdowns over that span. After an acrimonious departure that included rumors of an extramarital affair with Russell Wilson’s then-wife, which Tate denied, Tate signed a $31 million deal with Detroit. He responded with a career season, hauling in 99 receptions for 1,331 yards.
When asked whether he’d add a little “extra pepper” while tackling Tate on Monday, Kearse said he “would try.”

“That’s my dog, though,” he said. “He’s a good player. He’s a really good player.”

Tate recently told the media that opponents have told him that they know what plays are coming from the Lions’ offense. Nonetheless, Kearse said his former teammate seems to be enjoying Detroit and isn’t surprised by last season’s lofty stats.

“I knew the type of talent that he had when he was here,” Kearse said. “And that goes for a lot of receivers in our group. We have a lot of talent in our group and we’ve always had a lot of talent.”

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