Will Brandon Tate see the field in 2009?

[JFK]

why draft him wit a 3rd pick if he can't play? Isn't it better to trade the pick and draft higher the following year? Or is his talent that rare?

 

[Pats726]

I would think they would start him at PUP and take it from there..MANY options..if there are injuries and he is ready would they not add him to the 53?? I think so....on the other hand IR may be the place he will end up..With PUP all options open.
As for why draft a player like Tate that can not play...the draft is NOT about one season..and many times a player that would be drafted higher has his stock tumble because of a short term injury..sometimes bargains and value can be found in drafting a player that is recovering...Curtis Martin was injured the year before and he turned out to be a great player!!

 

[A.C Vegas]

He will see the field before watson or maroney....book it

He just means that he'll walk out there before them. He'll Physically see the field before them this year.

 

[JFK]

I would think they would start him at PUP and take it from there..MANY options..if there are injuries and he is ready would they not add him to the 53?? I think so....on the other hand IR may be the place he will end up..With PUP all options open.
As for why draft a player like Tate that can not play...the draft is NOT about one season..and many times a player that would be drafted higher has his stock tumble because of a short term injury..sometimes bargains and value can be found in drafting a player that is recovering...Curtis Martin was injured the year before and he turned out to be a great player!!

I get what you are saying..

 

[Deus Irae]

why draft him wit a 3rd pick if he can't play? Isn't it better to trade the pick and draft higher the following year? Or is his talent that rare?

The Patriots had a surfeit of picks and could afford to use one on a project player. Also, they did trade other picks into next year, so they can be very active again in the upcoming draft.

 

[patchick]

Most rookies could benefit from a red shirt year...

If it were a college redshirt year where you practice and learn with the team, I'd agree. An NFL IR year away from the field is generally a hindrance to development.

One nice thing about the PUP list is that the player gets up to 3 weeks practicing with the team before the roster/IR decision. Even if Tate ends up on IR afterwards, those 3 weeks could be a big plus in preparing for 2010.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Deion Branch had his ACL fixed on February 7. He played on November 16. 9 months later.

Brandon Tate had his ACL fixed on October 15. Nine months later is July 15. Two days from now.

Braylon Edwards had his surgery on January 3, 2006 and played on opening day, 9/10. 8 months later.

I'm not trying to beat a dead horse but it's a misnomer that Tate can't be healthy for training camp and certainly for the season. Maybe he has had some setbacks. But if not it's fully realistic he could make the team returning kicks on opening day and absolutely after being PUPed.

 

[APatrioticVirginian]

He just means that he'll walk out there before them. He'll Physically see the field before them this year.

Ive wavered not one bit in my belief

 

[Bartmac36]

I want to see him on the field because of his ability, both on special teams and as a deep ball receiver...I say put him on PUP at first, and base your decision to put him on IR on how healthy/effective our WR's not named Moss and Welker play...

If Lewis, Galloway, and Aiken are studs, put him on IR, if they do next to nothing, try to get him some playing time later in the season...

 

[patsox23]

why draft him wit a 3rd pick if he can't play? Isn't it better to trade the pick and draft higher the following year? Or is his talent that rare?

Because according to several draft "experts," Brandon Tate at full health is a potential 1st round talent. He slipped b/c of the injury, it was a crappy draft class and he was worth the risk, even if he doesn't set foot on the field until next year.

 

[Spiral]

Even if he could be an effective returner, back-up receivers need to play on other STs. With as many capable punt and kick returners on this roster, there is no way BB would give this kid a jersey on game days if that's all he could do. PUP. If Edelman shows something, then Tate goes on ice until next year. If there are a lot of injuries, then he may be an option after week six. There is absolutely no need to rush this kid back. The Patriots are all about the long-term, and this pick is a prime example.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I'm guessing he will start out on PUP unless he has some kind of miraculous recovery. After that, who knows? He could make an impact in the return game if he's healthy around midseason.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

It can be. But.

Deion Branch had his ACL fixed on February 7. He played on November 16. 9 months later.

Brandon Tate had his ACL fixed on October 15. Nine months later is July 15. Two days from now.

This doesn't mean Tate will be ready for camp, or the season, or the second half of the season. But he absolutely CAN be based on a similar WR's rehab.

The Seahawks had a lot invested (and sunk) in Branch and needed him back. And he was a veteran. FWIW he had surgery again this off season on the same knee, a scope that has sidelined him throughout the off season and limited him to hopefully being available for TC this season...

No need to do that here with Tate. Different set of circumstances but they rolled the dice here with Jackson and paid the price. Brought him in late as a ST and WR depth off a nagging hammy (and other concerns) and he blew his ACL. I think they will be very careful with this kid based on their need for him is more long term than short term.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

The Seahawks had a lot invested (and sunk) in Branch and needed him back. And he was a veteran. FWIW he had surgery again this off season on the same knee, a scope that has sidelined him throughout the off season and limited him to hopefully being available for TC this season...

No need to do that here with Tate. Different set of circumstances but they rolled the dice here with Jackson and paid the price. Brought him in late as a ST and WR depth off a nagging hammy (and other concerns) and he blew his ACL. I think they will be very careful with this kid based on their need for him is more long term than short term.

That may all be true but this notion that a WR can't return in this time frame is simply wrong. Not just proved by Branch but also Braylon Edwards who had no setbacks. I'm not pushing for Tate to return, whatever is best for him to play a role in 2010 is what I want; that could be not pushing himself or it could be being activated so he can practice (unlike if he's IRed). But it won't take a "miraculous recovery" for him to be active either in September or after being PUPed.