New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate has long been one of the top dogs in the NFL when it comes to forcing missed tackles and yards after the catch, but during his first season in East Rutherford, those numbers took a hit due to a four-game suspension.
Tate ultimately finished the 2019 season with 49 receptions for 676 yards, 289 of which came after the catch. That was good for just 64th overall in the NFL and 32nd among wide receivers.
Entering the 2020 season, Tate has his sights set on returning to form and taking his YAC crown back.
“I’m hoping I can continue to be the YAC King again this year,” Tate said during a Wednesday interview with FOX Sports.
In order to get that crown back, Tate has to put in a substantial amount of work this offseason, which has been especially difficult given the coronavirus pandemic and the stay-at-home orders that have been handed down as a result.
“It is tough for me because I like to be competitive with my peers,” Tate said of his solo offseason workout routine. “I also like an instructor to tell me what I need to do, but the Giants have given us a fantastic program that alters to guys that don’t have weights. It alters to guys that do have weights. They’ve sent us bands. They’ve sent us different little items to workout. I’m very, very thankful I live in San Diego with a lot of space on a mountain. What I’ve been doing is running hills and getting my lifts in with the power blocks I have.
In order to keep his cardio up and his legs in shape, Tate has picked up mountain biking as a hobby.
“It’s low-impact on my legs. Easy on my joints,” Tate said. “I can open my garage, ride my bike 300 yards up a hill and I’m on a trail that takes me to a bunch of trails.”
When the Giants do eventually return to East Rutherford, Tate will likely resume his role as WR1 with his eyes set on reclaiming the aforementioned YAC crown.
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