Tate looking to play by Week 7

[LasVegasPatsFan]

Dont know if this was a thread before but I just found this on rotoworld.

Patriots WR/KR Brandon Tate, on the PUP list while recovering from last year's ACL surgery, is holding out hope of playing this season.
Tate said he has the playbook "down pat" and will be ready to go as soon as he's eligible in Week 7. The NCAA record holder for combined kick return yardage, he'd be an asset on special teams if he can return at 100 percent by mid-season.

Brandon Tate

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Our kick return teams haven't looked great, so it'd be a bonus if he could come in and contribute. I don't remember all the rules relating to PUP, but I believe there's a 3-week window to evaluate before we have to add him to the active roster or else IR him, so if he's healthy, he'll probably get a shot to contribute.

 

[TheBeers]

It would be nice to see.. I was just talking to someone about this subject at work today. The Pats do not have anyone on the roster it seems that can break big plays and blow by everyone. I know they have made mistakes on guys before (Bethel and Jackson) but at least Bethel was a threat to break a kick return at any time. They really lack big play makers on special teams especially.

 

[SVN]

iam sure BB appreciates the update from tate

 

[aeg]

It would be nice to see.. I was just talking to someone about this subject at work today. The Pats do not have anyone on the roster it seems that can break big plays and blow by everyone. I know they have made mistakes on guys before (Bethel and Jackson) but at least Bethel was a threat to break a kick return at any time. They really lack big play makers on special teams especially.

Edelman looked pretty good on PR in pre-season ...

 

[BradyBranch39]

I'm excited to see what this guy can do.

SN rated him ahead of Nicks, Maclin and DHB –*as a WR.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Hmmm ... Maroney has a few weeks left before he's left without a role.

Oh well ... it is what it is ... Tate and BJGE on ... Maroney and Galloway out.

 

[TheBeers]

Edelman looked pretty good on PR in pre-season ...

True he did.. He has good speed and above average quickness but i'm talking about Cribbs/Hester/Knox/Washington/Sproles type of speed. I know those guys are among the fastest out there... i just want to have one of those guys for us too! I do think Edelman can be a good return guy though.. Tate could be a very nice addition.

 

[WhiZa]

If Tate does anything positive this season it would be helpful, but I'm not expecting much of anything with all the time off he's had. The sooner BB puts him into the return game the better you know he is.

 

[Patspsycho]

If you read the WEEI mailbag that's on a thread in this forum, Price talks about how Tate is available to the media whereas IR players such as Mckenzie are not. This could be taken as an indication that he is being considered for play in week 7.

 

[Kontradiction]

Tate expects to be ready to play this season, but I'd be shocked if the Pats activated him for any games. They might just let him ride out the rest of the season, absorb the playbook anymore, and let him do what he does next year. I watched Tate in college and he's got very good potential. If he's every fully healthy again, I think he could be better than Nicks, his running partner at UNC.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Would be nice to get him some experience. Of course anything he adds other than KR duty would be a bonus. But it'd be a huge plus in his development to get him out there as early as this season..

 

[pats1]

Our kick return teams haven't looked great, so it'd be a bonus if he could come in and contribute. I don't remember all the rules relating to PUP, but I believe there's a 3-week window to evaluate before we have to add him to the active roster or else IR him, so if he's healthy, he'll probably get a shot to contribute.

They have a three week window starting after Week 6 to start him practicing, then once they start him practicing, they have another three-week window to activate him. If either of those periods expire, he remains on PUP for the balance of the season.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I ws very pleased when we drafted him and more pleased that he so earnestly wants to play for this team. I have a really good feeling about this kid.

 

[Reckedtrek]

If he gets on the field, let's hope he doesn't.... hesi-Tate.

:nosmile:

 

[BillBelichickFan79]

Tate expects to be ready to play this season, but I'd be shocked if the Pats activated him for any games. They might just let him ride out the rest of the season, absorb the playbook anymore, and let him do what he does next year. I watched Tate in college and he's got very good potential. If he's every fully healthy again, I think he could be better than Nicks, his running partner at UNC.

I agree with you 100%. Everytime I watched Tate in college I felt he had more potential than Nicks. Tate would have probably gone first round if he didn't tear his knee. Hopefully he regains most of if not all of the explosiveness and elusiveness he once possessed. The kid could not be stopped on special teams and was developing into a damn good WR.

 

[signbabybrady]

Tate expects to be ready to play this season, but I'd be shocked if the Pats activated him for any games. They might just let him ride out the rest of the season, absorb the playbook anymore, and let him do what he does next year. I watched Tate in college and he's got very good potential. If he's every fully healthy again, I think he could be better than Nicks, his running partner at UNC.

I wouldn't be that shocked you don't pay a guy not to play...if he is healthy than I don't see what is to be gained from not giving him an opportunity. I am shocked to hear him say he thinks he will be ready I was kind of under the impression he wasn't going to be and got a little hopeful maybe he would when he was puped but still wasn't expecting it. If he is healthy than PT even if it is just practice reps will make him better sitting wont (see some of the guys we had hopes for who precieved as being IRed to save for future most if not all are gone guys like Lua)

 

[jeffbiologist]

I think its way too much to expect from that position, WR is supposed to be the hardest position(besides QB)for a rookie to learn. That said, if we want someone to get reps there ....Edleman obviously. Unless we have a rash of injuries at the position I cant see bringing a guy up from training camp speed to a playoff chase in the 3 weeks we are allowed to make decision. At that time of year we wont be able to afford the luxury of not dressing healthy guys I'm sure, we would have to cut someone to make room for him even if he never dressed. Thats something we wouldnt have to do if we dont activate him. Its a nice thought, I just dont think its very realistic.

 

[sbpatfan]

I doubt he'll crack the WR lineup but if he's a monster at ST I'm sure he'll find a spot on the team.

 

[Mack Herron]

He has a lot of potential, but we need to be realistic. At UNC he had 46 career receptions. His senior year was cut short at 16 because of a knee injury, but his productivity was largely as a returner, not a receiver. Sam Aiken, by comparison, had 46 catches his junior year and hauled in 68 his senior year. Aiken has been relegated to STs in the NFL. I am not saying Tate cannot make it, but he has never been as productive as Nicks and has a very long way to go before he becomes a productive receiver in the NFL.