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Lions WR Golden Tate accuses Vikings of taking ‘several’ cheap shots in Week 2

Detroit Lions receiver Golden Tate claims his teammates endured some cheap shots in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Lions were abused on the scoreboard 26-16, Matthew Stafford was abused in the pocket, enduring a sack and eight other hits that landed him in the x-ray room, and apparently some of the other players were abused as well.

Tate and the Lions are particularly upset about a hit Stafford took by second-year linebacker Anthony Barr, which they believe was dirty, according to Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. Barr shoved Stafford after he was out of bounds.

That wasn’t the only hit they’re upset about, either. When asked specifically if he thought there were cheap shots by Minnesota, Tate didn’t sugar-coat his response.

“110 percent,” Tate said. “After watching the film, there were several holds, late hits that I thought should have been called, and a couple of them, I wouldn’t be surprised if we turned them in. …there were a few plays out there that were clear violations of this game. There were a couple,” Tate said. “Several. A bunch.”

One thing seems certain at this point: The refs need to be aware of this the next time these two teams meet up later this year, on Oct. 25 in Detroit, because a brawl could be on the menu if things get out of hand early.

Especially when you consider the team was called out on national television by former tough guy Rodney Harrison, who criticized the Lions because he didn’t think enough players rushed to Stafford’s defense.

Tate downplayed Harrison’s comments, which were factually incorrect to begin with. Harrison said only rookie lineman Laken Tomlinson came to Stafford’s defense, leaving out Brandon Pettigrew and DeAndre Levy.

“People are always going to try to stir up something — try to start something — but that’s not the case at all,” Tate said. “I think everyone in this building, and hopefully everyone in this state, supports Stafford and this team. And that’s exactly what we do.

“I wouldn’t pay too much attention to all that BS. That’s just someone trying to start something.”

Still, despite Tate’s comments, you have to believe the entire team would rally to Stafford’s side if such a thing were to occur again the next time it happens — against the Vikings or any other team.

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