Detroit Lions WR Golden Tate compares offensive leap to high school classes

The Detroit Lions are entering their second season under offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, and wide receiver Golden Tate already sees a major leap in the unit's growth.

"I think we’re way more advanced where we are as a team (at this point last year), understanding the offense and the defense. Special teams has a new coach and things to do, but for the most part we’re not like a geometry class we’re like an AP (advanced placement) class," Tate said, via Paula Pasche of the Oakland Press. "We’re focusing on the on details on offense and defense, we’re dialing it in. I’m excited to see how far we can go."

Detroit relied upon its stingy defense en route to an 11-5 season last year. The Lions' offense ranked 19th in the NFL in terms of total yardage (5,452), 22nd in terms of average points per game (20.1).

The Lions feature a young offensive line, a pair of productive receivers in Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate and a quarterback entering his prime in Matthew Stafford. They also have a promising rookie running back in Ameer Abdullah, who was a second-round pick out of Nebraska in this year's draft.

Lombardi must now optimize his offensive personnel for his platoon to take off in 2015.

(h/t Oakland Press)