Golden Tate gives new Lions DT Damon Harrison a natural gift — snacks
Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate wanted to welcome new teammate Damon Harrison with a gift befitting of a nickname: Snacks.
Golden Tate gives new Lions DT Damon Harrison a natural gift — snacks Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate wanted to welcome new teammate Damon Harrison with a gift befitting of a nickname: Snacks. Check out this story on Freep.com: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/10/26/detroit-lions-golden-tate-damon-harrison-snacks/1766591002/
Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press Published 10:13 a.m. ET Oct. 26, 2018 | Updated 5:45 p.m. ET Oct. 26, 2018
Free Press sports writers Dave Birkett and Carlos Monarrez preview the Detroit Lions game against the Seattle Seahawks. Detroit Free Press
Lions defensive tackle Damon Harrison (98) practices with guard Joe Dahl at the Lions practice facility in Allen Park on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018.(Photo: Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
When Golden Tate saw his new Detroit Lions teammate, Damon "Snacks" Harrison, on Thursday, he greeted him with the most natural gift he could think of — snacks.
"I had to be a man of my word," said Tate, who tweeted Harrison on Wednesday asking what type of snacks he wanted after his trade to Detroit. "The guy told me what he wants and what he likes and I made it happen. It's the least I can do."
Tate hand-delivered Harrison a box of assorted goodies between meetings Thursday, and the box, which included bags of Butterfingers, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Sour Patch Kids, Honey Buns, Chili Cheese Fritos and Cool Ranch Doritos, sat in Harrison's locker as he played catch-up on this week's gameplan a couple hours after practice ended.
The Lions made official their trade with the New York Giants on Thursday that brought Harrison to town for the low cost of a 2019 fifth-round draft pick.
Harrison went through a full practice with his teammates, and with another workout on tap Friday and a walk-through Saturday, he should be ready to play in Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks.
"He's a tremendous player," defensive end Kerry Hyder said. "I know he's going to get out there and give it his all, his heart. He's that type of guy, so just looking forward to his energy and him being out there."
Lions coach Matt Patricia did not speak with reporters Thursday, and the team's media relations department said Harrison preferred to wait a day to meet with the media.
My brother, welcome to the squad is there any snacks I can have waiting for you tmrw? @snacks
— Golden Tate (@ShowtimeTate) October 24, 2018
Hyder, who played one season with Harrison with the New York Jets in 2014, said he doesn't foresee any trouble for Harrison picking up his new defense, and Tate said he's excited to have the 355-pound run-stuffer and junk-food connoisseur on board.
"We're in the business of just getting better and he's a piece that I think's going to help us and hopefully right away," Tate said. "I remember playing against him a few years ago and he clogs that hole up and for a big guy he can move really well. So hoping that he fits in well to our scheme and he helps us, and I've heard he's a great person so I don't doubt that he's going to fit in just fine with our team. But I'm expecting him to come in, work hard, help us win ball games."
To make room for Harrison, the Lions released veteran nose tackle Sylvester Williams, who they signed to a one-year, $3.5 million free-agent deal in March.
Harrison is expected to take over as the Lions' primary nose tackle.
Theo Riddick missed his fifth straight practiced with a knee injury Thursday and is not expected to play Sunday against the Seahawks. Ziggy Ansah (shoulder) and Jarrad Davis (calf) both were limited, while Darius Slay (toe) returned to full practice. Ansah has not played since Week 1, while Riddick sat out last week's win over the Miami Dolphins.
Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Download our Lions Xtra app for free on Apple and Android!
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