Dallas News: Tate Worth the Wait - New England Patriots Forums

***JSn*** · 11-03-2009, 02:32 PM

Nice little write-up on the Tater-Tot. Count me excited to see what this kid can do. Seems like the more Brandon's we get, the better. Kinda like 80's movies and Corey's.

Tate worth the wait for the New England Patriots | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News

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When you build a roster as talented as the New England Patriots, you can afford to wait on a player or two.

And when you have an abundance of draft picks, as the Patriots did last April, you can swing for the fences on a few.

The Patriots did just that when they claimed North Carolina wide receiver Brandon Tate in the third round with the 83rd overall selection. He was on his way to becoming a first-round selection last fall until a severe knee injury ended his senior season in the sixth game against Notre Dame. He tore both the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee.

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The more Tate plays, the better he’ll play. He’s still in the process of knocking the rust off his skills. Patience will pay off in this case for New England. Tate likely will wind up as the draft-day steal of the third round.

***Rob0729*** · 11-03-2009, 02:34 PM

The infamous "they" say that Tate would have been a first round pick if he didn't tear his ACL. I don't know who "they" are, but in this case, I like their thinking.

***JSn*** · 11-03-2009, 02:36 PM

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Originally Posted by Rob0729

The infamous "they" say that Tate would have been a first round pick if he didn't tear his ACL. I don't know who "they" are, but in this case, I like their thinking.

I don't know how college stats play into draft status, but I do know I've heard postulation before that he would have been a first rounder if he weren't a dented can.

patriotscpfc · 11-03-2009, 02:53 PM

He's already in my Top 5 favourite Patriots.

The guy looks very good. Seeing him live in the flesh made me think a lot of him.

He seemed to be geeing up the rest of the team. Also seems to have a bit of a buddy group with the young secondary guys.

And unlike Edelman in his first few games, Tate was told twice in all of his snaps to get on the line properly. By Moss. His return skills are going to be vital as well.

***KontradictioN*** · 11-03-2009, 03:04 PM

Well he's had a good three weeks of practice now to translate what he learned from the playbook out on the field. We might see a few passes thrown his way this week in the action that he does see. I'm pulling big time for him, as I'm sure most of us are.

***ALP*** · 11-03-2009, 03:16 PM

lets see what he does in his first game w/ real practice time....

letekro · 11-03-2009, 03:24 PM

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Originally Posted by Rob0729

The infamous "they" say that Tate would have been a first round pick if he didn't tear his ACL. I don't know who "they" are, but in this case, I like their thinking.

Reiss posted the other day that Mc***, I mean McShay, had him at 36 overall before the injury.

BelizePats · 11-03-2009, 03:38 PM

How nice would it be to have a productive young wide out with good wheels on this team?
If this guy can develop it will be huge for us!

***patchick*** · 11-03-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob0729

The infamous "they" say that Tate would have been a first round pick if he didn't tear his ACL. I don't know who "they" are, but in this case, I like their thinking.

When I read it from Rick Gosselin like this, it definitely carries some weight.

The WR a lot of folks here coveted in that part of the draft, Mike Wallace, went to Pittsburgh with the very next pick (and is looking great). Here's hoping Tate blows him away.

***PATRIOTSFANINPA*** · 11-03-2009, 04:09 PM

Gosselin is a well respected and educated sports writer,so take it with some hope hes right.