WEEI.com: Young WRs Nunn and Tate await the call

[Christopher_Price]

Christopher Price | Young WRs Tate And Nunn Await The Call

 

[Betterthanmost]

Just the idea that he is spending some time with Moss gives me confidence. All the receivers and CB's who Moss has taken interest in have come out very good.

“I’ve been here since the summer, so I’ve just been sitting in there, learning from [Randy] Moss, from [Wes] Welker. Even from the younger guys. I’ve just been getting mentally ready. I feel like I know the plays, so we’ll see how today goes.”

Good read Chris. Nice to read a long one from you. Lately they have been short, I know you have been busy, but I just want to take a pop. lol

 

[BPF]

Both players are intriguing as 4/5 WR's and for their ST's ability. I like Nunn. If Tate is not ready this week I could see Isaiah Stanback getting the call. Stanback has value in 3 roles: KR, WR and QB. He returned kicks and played a little WR while w/Dallas and of course was a college QB.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

Give Nunn a chance!

ESPECIALLY if Edelman's out!

Nunn looked to be developing maybe a step or two behind Edelman on the possession receiver type sort person.

 

[JSn]

Give Nunn a chance!

ESPECIALLY if Edelman's out!

Nunn looked to be developing maybe a step or two behind Edelman on the possession receiver type sort person.

The thing that stood out to me about Nunn was him making difficult catches, some we would have forgiven him for dropping.

Edelman, Nunn and Tate are all great prospects. Imagine if they all panned out... it would add some real fire to ST's, as well.

 

[willdeespats]

Both players are intriguing as 4/5 WR's and for their ST's ability. I like Nunn. If Tate is not ready this week I could see Isaiah Stanback getting the call. Stanback has value in 3 roles: KR, WR and QB. He returned kicks and played a little WR while w/Dallas and of course was a college QB.

There's only two open spots on the 53 man roster. One will go to Levoir. I really doubt that they would take Stanback off the PS to fill the other. Looking ahead, the schedule really gets tougher after the bye week and those opponents will be game planning to stop Moss and Welker. Thus, I see we really need both Nunn and Tate to be up to game speed by then so there are really viable alternatives for Brady. Since at this point Nunn has more game experience (from the PreSeason), I would think BB would use the Bucs game as Tate's preseason and activate Nunn later at the end of the bye week when there's another roster spot.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

Opportunity may be knocking for Brandon Tate and Terrence Nunn.

Thats because we went from having a stacked wr corp, to well, nothing. We're in serious trouble if Wes, or Randy go down. I like both Tate, and Nunn, but if either gets thrust into a starting role, i'll be nervous. Its too bad Galloway didnt work out. As for Aiken, he's just not impressing me much.

What do you guys think? If either starter goes down, can Aiken do enough to keep a drive going? Maybe someone has seen something i havent. Anyone seen how long Edelman will be out?

 

[mgteich]

I would trust Aiken as part of the unit to keep a drive alive long before I would trust Tate or Nunn. I expect that if there were a further injury, Watson and Faulk would be used much more as receivers. They both have been two of our top five receivers in terms of receptions for several years. Both are having solid years and can be counted on to step up as needed. Also, Baker could have a greater role in the passing game if needed.

The bottom line is that Brady has lots of targets without counting on two players who do not even have one NFL reception.

I do think that Tate will be activated as a returner. The activation could happen this week or after the bye.

Thats because we went from having a stacked wr corp, to well, nothing. We're in serious trouble if Wes, or Randy go down. I like both Tate, and Nunn, but if either gets thrust into a starting role, i'll be nervous. Its too bad Galloway didnt work out. As for Aiken, he's just not impressing me much.

What do you guys think? If either starter goes down, can Aiken do enough to keep a drive going? Maybe someone has seen something i havent. Anyone seen how long Edelman will be out?

 

[Kontradiction]

Great article, Chris. However, all it's going to do is start another thread kind of like this:

Group 1: "Tate is ready!"

Group 2: "No he's not!"

Rinse and repeat...

 

[mgteich]

We have one of the top five passing offenses in the league and you think we have "nothing" at wide receiver because Edelman is injured. I strongly disagree.

We have four of our five top receivers from past years. All are playing well:
Moss, Welker, Watson, and Faulk.

In addition, we also have two additional very solid receiving threats in Baker and Maroney.

Finally, we have Aiken as our #7 receiving threat (and our #3 WR). Aiken has the confidence of Belichick and Brady in this role. Aiken was our #4 WR last year and is well able to be the #3 while Edelman is out.
==============================

Thats because we went from having a stacked wr corp, to well, nothing.

 

[BionicPatriot]

Great article, Chris. However, all it's going to do is start another thread kind of like this:

Group 1: "Tate is ready!"

Group 2: "No he's not!"

Rinse and repeat...

This is my problem with those who think he is ready.

They're going to set up huge expectations like we have a knack to do. If Tate goes 3 games without a catch, we'll already be calling him another 3rd round bust, etc,. He'll be buried early. I think we need to give him more time getting in game shape, actually running the plays, etc.

I would be amazed if Tate was not only activated, but if he played. With the injury to Edelman and Aiken looking like he runs with one leg, it wouldn't surprise me to see both activated. However I think nunn has "earned" his time more. We have seen him in game speed, he has practiced more, etc. I'm sure he's better prepared. We'll just see.

 

[BPF]

We have one of the top five passing offenses in the league and you think we have "nothing" at wide receiver because Edelman is injured. I strongly disagree.

We have four of our five top receivers from past years. All are playing well:
Moss, Welker, Watson, and Faulk.

In addition, we also have two additional very solid receiving threats in Baker and Maroney.

Finally, we have Aiken as our #7 receiving threat (and our #3 WR). Aiken has the confidence of Belichick and Brady in this role. Aiken was our #4 WR last year and is well able to be the #3 while Edelman is out.
==============================

Lots of what you say is true but in terms of numbers another WR needs to be on the roster in case of further injury. Tate and Nunn can contribute on ST's so that is an added benefit.

 

[Kontradiction]

This is my problem with those who think he is ready.

They're going to set up huge expectations like we have a knack to do. If Tate goes 3 games without a catch, we'll already be calling him another 3rd round bust, etc,. He'll be buried early. I think we need to give him more time getting in game shape, actually running the plays, etc.

I would be amazed if Tate was not only activated, but if he played. With the injury to Edelman and Aiken looking like he runs with one leg, it wouldn't surprise me to see both activated. However I think nunn has "earned" his time more. We have seen him in game speed, he has practiced more, etc. I'm sure he's better prepared. We'll just see.

For a rookie like Tate that hasn't practiced, 20-30 catches for the rest of the year (should he be inserted into the starting line-up) would very much please me. It would by far exceed my expectations of him. People's problem is that if Tate is inserted, they will be expecting 80 catches, 850-60 yards, and 4 TD's. Anything less than that would compel those people to label him as the dreaded "third round bust" (even though third rounders are not busts).

 

[BPF]

There's only two open spots on the 53 man roster. One will go to Levoir. I really doubt that they would take Stanback off the PS to fill the other. Looking ahead, the schedule really gets tougher after the bye week and those opponents will be game planning to stop Moss and Welker. Thus, I see we really need both Nunn and Tate to be up to game speed by then so there are really viable alternatives for Brady. Since at this point Nunn has more game experience (from the PreSeason), I would think BB would use the Bucs game as Tate's preseason and activate Nunn later at the end of the bye week when there's another roster spot.

New England Patriots Blog - Butler, Morris, Edelman, Light missing at practice - ESPN Boston

One interesting note from the session was practice squad quarterback Isaiah Stanback catching passes with the wide receivers during position drills. Colleague Mike Reiss noted Wednesday night that Stanback could be an offbeat option to fill a void at wide receiver.

 

[BPF]

From the same piece, encouraging info on Tate: New England Patriots Blog - Butler, Morris, Edelman, Light missing at practice - ESPN Boston

It was also interesting to note that rookie Brandon Tate, eligible to come off the non-football injury list this week after starting the season there while recovering from an ACL and MCL injuries, was not wearing a brace during Thursday's session.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

We have one of the top five passing offenses in the league and you think we have "nothing" at wide receiver because Edelman is injured. I strongly disagree.

We have four of our five top receivers from past years. All are playing well:
Moss, Welker, Watson, and Faulk.

In addition, we also have two additional very solid receiving threats in Baker and Maroney
==============================

Try to read what i typed next time. I didnt say we have nothing because Edelman went down. Im talking about depth at WR. Sure we have TEs, and RBs that can catch the ball. Im saying if one of the starters goes down, we have problems. What, are we gonna pass to RBs all game? We need someone to stretch the field, and if Randy goes down, we'll be in trouble. Aiken hasnt done much when hes had the chance, so im not to confident in the depth at WR.

 

[JSn]

I just wanted to add this:

Brandon Tate at practice...

Those eyes look like End-Zone seeking laser guns.

 

[mgteich]

Yes, another receiver needs to be available in case of further injuries, but not necessarily for this game. IMHO, there are plenty of offensive options better than Tate or Nunn, even if there is a further injury.

To me, this situation is similar to that of RB. When Taylor went down, folk were sure Green-Ellis would get lots and lots of reps. And then Morris went down, and everyone was sure Green-Ellis would be a major part of the offense. It didn't happen, although Green-Ellis did play quite a bit in garbage time.

With so few healthy bodies available, I could see us activating Tate or Nunn. I just don't they'd play much, if at all, at wide receiver. IMHO, there is no fr...king way that Belichick and Brady would trust either of them over Aiken at this point, and certainly not over Watson or Baker.

I would like to see Tate return kicks. Belichick can assess his readiness at practices. He should be a significant upgrade from Edelman and certainly from others who might be available, except for Maroney who Belichick chooses not to risk. The question is whether to wait a couple of more weeks or activate Tate now.

I could see Nunn being activated for this one game, and Tate replacing him on the roster after the bye.

Lots of what you say is true but in terms of numbers another WR needs to be on the roster in case of further injury. Tate and Nunn can contribute on ST's so that is an added benefit.

 

[Patspsycho]

I could see Nunn being activated for this one game.

If that happens, he must stay on the roster and occupy a roster spot for the rest of the season. Tate, on the other hand, has a window. I wonder what BB will do, with this in mind.

 

[Metaphors]

However I think nunn has "earned" his time more.

Have you seen Nunn catch a pass thrown by Brady? In any context or setting? It likely happened in training camp at some point, but I think any "earnings" players accumulated by catching passes from Walter, O'Connell and Hoyer need to be taken with a serious grain of salt.

Having a rapport with Brady seems to trump just about all other criteria. From that perspective, Tate, Nunn and Stanback were likely all at the starting line this week.