New England Patriots Links 10/22/09 - Brandon Tate Ready and Willing

by Marima on Oct 22, 2009 9:44 AM EDT in News Comment 46 comments

Rookie WR Brandon Tate finally ready, and more than willing to play.

I mean, obviously, every team has its strengths and weaknesses, and every team is dangerous in its own way. This team has a lot of youth, but it has some playmakers on defense, especially in the secondary. We went through a lot of the stuff this morning and they can make a lot of plays. Similar to us, it's just the consistency of it. We're expecting them to play their best game - there's no reason why they wouldn't - so we're going to have to go out and do the same.

Bill Belichick talks up the undrafteds, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Gary Guyton.

[BenJarvus Green-Ellis] has been very impressive since the first time we had him here in rookie minicamp and then in the spring minicamps, kind of like how Gary Guyton was on defense. I'm not saying you don't expect anything… I mean, this guy was a good back, in a good conference, at a good school just like Gary Guyton was a good linebacker, in a good conference, at a good school, but they come in and start competing with your veteran players and even some of your younger veterans – second and third year guys – and they're right there with them or maybe even moving a little bit ahead of them and it catches your eye pretty quickly.

From no experience and no big hype coming in, they show up here and start making plays and start doing a lot of things that guys who supposedly are more talent or supposedly have more experience, they're doing them better [and] it kind of catches your eye. I would say Gary and BenJarvus both fell into that category last year and have continued to improve and progress through the entire time they've been here. It wasn't just a one hit wonder, quick shot at it. They started fast and they built on it and built it to a very high level.

Shalise Manza Young notes rookie WR Brandon Tate is itching to play and knows he must show both the Pats' coaching staff and Tom Brady that he can be counted on.

"I just (have to) try to get the coaches' trust so they can put me in the game," he said, adding that Brady was just as important to impress. "It is, because if Tom doesn't trust you he's not going to throw you the ball, so I'm just going to go out there and practice and just try to do everything right."

"I'm real happy. I feel comfortable, I have the trust back in the knee, I'm ready to go," he said. "I feel real confident in myself…If they give me the call, I'll be ready. It is the perfect situation; I'm just going to go out there, get the coaches' trust, get Tom's trust, and we'll see."

TEAM SHOTS

Erik Scalavino LB Adalius Thomas opens up about his deactivation from last week's game and what lies ahead for him and the Patriots. Pus, news and notes from the New England locker room and Wednesday's practice.
Patriots and Buccaneers announce the following player injuries and practice participation.
Wednesday Pressers: Tom Brady (9.32 min video) plus Transcript, and Bill Belichick (20 min. video) plus Transcript.
Patriots Today - Prepping for London (9:34 min. video)
Locker Room Uncut - Thomas, Mankins and WR intrigue. (3.31 min. video)
PFW TV Watch this edition as we discuss the Patriots 59-0 win over the Titans. Plus, we'll preview this Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium in London. (22.41 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

Karen Guregian looks at the benching of Adalius Thomas gamble by Belichick, and says it probably won't serve to propel him into playing like the guy the Patriots thought they had signed.
Monique Walker reports Adalius Thomas took the benching as a professional, "It’s not about me and Bill. We’re fine. It seems like y’all have a bigger problem with it than I do."
Ron Borges says being inactive is nothing new to Adalius Thomas, 'the most expensive free agent signee of the Bill Belichick era, which is a large part of the reason he was sitting at home while less well compensated players were playing football in the snow."
Kerry J. Byrne reviews the Patriots snow games and concludes Brady is the best QB in winter weather.
Mike Reiss notes Patriots third-string QB Isaiah Stanback is an offbeat option at WR and has experience at that position.
Robert Lee has a terrific piece on LB Gary Guyton - a humble, unlikely leader of the Patriots defense.
Tony Massarotti focuses on the steady ship that has been the New England Patriots since Bill Belichick's second year coaching the team.
Mike Reiss offers a Patriots penalty breakdown through week 6.
Boston Herald Patriots Notebook: Darius Butler joined the walking wounded with an ankle injury; Bucs head coach Raheem Morris is still looking for his first win; Jonathan Wilhite became a first-time father Tuesday with the birth of baby girl Kamryn; Tom Brady has never played football in England, but his cartoon self has. In a "Family Guy" episode titled "Patriots Games," Brady and the Pats play a team called the Silly Nannies in London.

NATIONAL NEWS

Tim Graham (ESPN) AFC East Underachiever: Terrell Owens. Rookie receiver Julian Edelman, a seventh-round draft choice the New England Patriots converted from QB, has six more catches than Owens in one fewer game.
Nolan Nawrocki (Pro Football Weekly) Examined all 32 NFL rosters and identified Ty Warren as one of 10 players who haven't received the recognition that they have earned.
Charles Robinson (Yahoo! Sports) NFL: Week 6 - Audi Eye Opening Performance- Robinson breaks down the historic performance by Tom Brady and if this is the beginning of another great season.
Mark Woods (Britball media for ESPNBoston) UKPats ready to cheer on New England.
Jeffrey Marcus (NY Times) For Glazers, winning in one football is not as easy as winning in the other.
Peter Schrager (Fox Sports) Week 7 Cheat Sheet: NFL picks and predictions. Pats over Bucs 37-14
Aaron Wilson (Nat'l Football Post) Seymour didn't like how trade to Raiders was handled.
Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) NFL facing an international crisis.
Ross Tucker (SI) Too many 'victory Mondays' lead to losing Sundays for mediocre teams.

VIEW FROM TAMPA

Buccaneers.com Digging deep: The Bucs went back to work on Wednesday, preparing to face New England's explosive offense.
Ira Kaufman (Tampa Tribune) Bucs will be strictly business for game in London.
Joe Smith (St. Petersburg Times) Bucs will use different travel plans than Patriots for London showdown.
Ira Kaufman (Tampa Tribune ) Pats' coach Belichick wary of improving Bucs team. "When Bill Belichick finished his conference call with the Tampa Bay media Wednesday, it was unclear whether he was preparing for the 2009 Buccaneers or the 1985 Chicago Bears."
Anwar Richardson (Tampa Tribune) Morris keeps confidence amid growing fan unrest.
John Romano (St. Petersburg Times) Do not underestimate the sheer helplessness of this year's Buccaneers. (2.08 min. video)

"Did you know former owner Hugh Culverhouse once interviewed Bill Belichick to be his head coach? Culverhouse gave the job to Richard Williamson instead. Williamson went on to win 3 games in his only full season as an NFL head coach. Bill Belichick went on to win 3 Super Bowls as the Patriots head coach."

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Comments

iS HE SUITIN UP THIS WEEKEND?

Jack of all trades-Master of None.....

by Peter Chung on Oct 22, 2009 3:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tate can't suit up for three weeks.

From what I understand. He can start practicing, then they have three weeks to activate him, release him, or IR him.
He’s started practicing, so the three week clock has started, and they can’t do anything else with him.

Feel free to jump in if I got it wrong.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 22, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he can suit up now

They have 3 weeks to decide what to do with him – whether he’ll participate this season or not.

As far as I know, they can activate him at any time from now until 3 weeks from now, then they have to cut or IR him as the other alternatives.

by Comedic.Sans on Oct 22, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't remember the quote font thing but...

from the first article listed on this section up there "Though New England has three weeks to evaluate Tate, he expressed confidence that he would be able to play this Sunday against Tampa Bay if called upon. "

So presumably he could actually be playing this week.

by Comedic.Sans on Oct 22, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Could be

I thought it was just the start of the countdown.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 22, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

From Tate's comments

It just seemed that he was so excited to maybe get the chance to play it made me smile. This is from Mike Reiss:

Talking before Wednesday’s practice, his first full-pad session with the New England Patriots since returning to the practice field, rookie wide receiver Brandon Tate spoke of needing to keep his emotions in check.

Packing his travel bags for London on Thursday afternoon, Tate admitted it was difficult to do once he received word he would be part of the team traveling to Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers.

“Man, I’m real excited. Real, real excited,” Tate said. “I’m trying to stay focused on football, not let myself get too excited. I’ve been doing pretty good, staying focused and knowing my assignments.”

“It’s good, getting back in the mix of football,” Tate said. “It’s taking some time, but I’m getting it. I’m going to watch the film, see what I did right and wrong, and just try to correct it. Keep getting better.”

Tate did divulge that he’s worked on both kick and punt returns in practice, something that would seem to add value to activating the third-round draft pick (83rd overall) if the coaching staff deems him healthy enough to come off the non-football injury list this week.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Oct 22, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you, maam.

I always go through your links, but I never have time to read them all. I sit corrected.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 22, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What?!? You don't read ALL of them?!?

I don’t have time to either, lol.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Oct 22, 2009 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

PUP means you sit for at least six weeks

After that, you’re eligible to return. The three weeks you keep hearing about refer to the amount of time the team has to decide whether or not to activate the player in question. If they don’t activate him within three weeks, they have to put him on IR.

That means that Tate can play this week if the Pats put him on the active roster, but they don’t have to put him on the active roster until November 9 or 10.

by RSNexile on Oct 22, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Got it.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 22, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hey you got yourself a mention in my newest post

Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman

by dolphinsinbuffalo on Oct 22, 2009 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm famous? or infamous?

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 22, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the mention

You’re my favorite Dolphin fan.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 22, 2009 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

your famous and no offense to anyone on here because I like you all

but you’ve been rewarded as my favorite Pats fan, and I think everyone on the Phinsider would say the same thing

Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman

by dolphinsinbuffalo on Oct 23, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's the Welker picture isn't it?

C’mon, be honest…. ;-)

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 23, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol no I don't think it is that

Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman

by dolphinsinbuffalo on Oct 23, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's got that puppy dog face that softens up secondaries.

and little Phins hearts. (I expect Comedic.Sans any time now).

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 23, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol well he does have that but I think you need Comedic.Sans' help to push that one over.

Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman

by dolphinsinbuffalo on Oct 23, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aww, he doesn't need my help

He just likes it. Makes me feel all warm and gooey inside. It’s the Welker magic.

by Comedic.Sans on Oct 23, 2009 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've got nothing to say.

I’d hate to be predictable.

by Comedic.Sans on Oct 23, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like clockwork

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 23, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like Santa Claus

Dependable. And bringing good things. See Welker and Wilfork are officially off the injured list? I did that. Mhmm.

by Comedic.Sans on Oct 23, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does that mean Robert Kraft will appoint me as the embassador to the Phins Nation?

I’ll take it, because it means I wouldn’t be eligible for the Gang Green Nation job. Score!

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 23, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol ambassador? and yes you can have that positon

but I don’t think any one but an ignorant Jets fan could get a job over there, (not saying they are all ignorant, but some are) not any of us.

Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman

by dolphinsinbuffalo on Oct 23, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Neither Tate nor Nunn are burners

By comparison:
Moss ran a 4.29.
T.O. ran 4.36.
Wheatley is 4.37. (fastest CB his year)
Galloway and Wilihite were 4.38 at the combine.
Guyton is 4.40. (very fast for an LB)
Butler is 4.41.
Ochocinco is 4.45.
Meriweather is 4.47 (McGowan is around here, too).
Chung is 4.49.
Brandon Tate is 4.52
Larry Fitzgerald is 4.53.
Mayo is 4.54.
Plaxico Burress is 4.55.
Brandon Marshall is 4.57.
Terrence Nunn is 4.59.
Wes Welker is 4.60 (straight OR turning), BTW so was Jerry Rice.
Vince Wilfork is 5.13. (Just so someone is slower than Wes)

So far we don’t have a burner like Moss.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 22, 2009 4:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I guess...

…but neither was Jerry Rice. Hard to make a comparison now, but who knows how that translates to the field, how they separate and once they catch the ball.

by The Hill on Oct 22, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't see your line about Jerry Rice

So yeah. Oops on my part.

by The Hill on Oct 22, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

heh - and don't forget Steve Largent ...

Famously traded for an 8th rd pick ..famously so slow he probably clocked in at 5 minutes and a sticky peanut butter sandwich for the 40 … so small he could not be seen beyond 10 feet ….

Hall of Fame.

IMHO, the best hands on receiver I’ve ever seen and the best overall receiver that I’ve personally watched who wasn’t named Rice or Moss (whom I consider 1-2 all-time).

Largent was proof that the keys to being a great reciever are precise route running and velcro hands. Welker (and Edelman) continues to prove that today.

by mmmmm on Oct 23, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I suspect that Tate is faster on the field than his 40 time would suggest

mainly because his YAC and catching average in college was so high, and his kick return average was also impressive. Either one could potentially be explained by a particular system, but not both. Being able to outrun coverage guys in both passing before and after the catch, and being able to outrun them on kick returns, means he must have an extra gear that wasn’t shown in the combine 40. If he’s a hundredth quicker than Larry Fitzgerald, and Fitzgerald can burn coverage guys on deep routes, maybe that’s a comparison Pats fans can hope for in future.

by Comedic.Sans on Oct 22, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Speed is great

but running clean, precise routes and finding the dead spots in a zone D can make a receiver as valuable as one who can stretch the field. I remember him at UNC and some of the catches he made, especially against Clemson. I think he will play well if he has the offense down pat.

"Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory...lasts forever."-Shane Falco, "The Replacements"

by Ironman63 on Oct 22, 2009 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That explains the YAC and reception average

but I was of the impression his kick return yardage was high, too, and that in 99% of cases means blistering speed – Devin Hester, etc. If you saw him in college, you’d know better than I. Any inside information?

by Comedic.Sans on Oct 22, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

heres your proof

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS6L070REw0

by MOSS81 on Oct 23, 2009 2:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep, that pretty much speaks for itself.

Get him in the O with Moss and Welker and WOW!!! LOOK OUT!!

"Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory...lasts forever."-Shane Falco, "The Replacements"

by Ironman63 on Oct 24, 2009 4:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We don't need them to be burners

We just need them to be reliable receivers who don’t drop the ball and do run good routes and make good reads.

Tate was considered a first round talent before he blew out his knee, and Nunn is a promising prospect for development. Neither got that way by having blazing speed.

by RSNexile on Oct 22, 2009 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'd rather have route running than speed any day of the week.

by patriotguy on Oct 22, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Except for special teams

Speed kills on kick and punt returns, and it’s always great to have a stud returner. Remember, it was having a couple of good kick returners and a great D that got Chicago to the Superbowl a couple of years ago. A great returner will keep the ball out of the hands of someone like Rex Grossman (where’d he go? Baha).

by Comedic.Sans on Oct 23, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

for that, speed is essential. but awareness, being smart, and holding on to the ball are also key factors.

by patriotguy2 on Oct 24, 2009 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

link for proof

i don doubt you i just want to be able to laugh in my friends face

by MOSS81 on Oct 23, 2009 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really what would be nice to see is speed per distance

Welker is faster in the first few steps than most guys he faces, but top end speed isn’t there. Moss is slower in the first few steps, but he’ll leave you in the dust. I think some of the cone drills measure that better, but those times are harder to find.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 22, 2009 4:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Word on the street

Is that Tate, Nunn, and Stanback are all making the trip to England. Wonder how the roster will shape out to accommodate that.

by Justin_Bobo on Oct 22, 2009 9:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

Stanback’s the emergency 3rd QB so he gets to go. I hear that they’re taking most people over seas just for the experience of being with the team- it’s a pretty big event.

by The Hill on Oct 22, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have the feeling that Stanback would have to be on the active roster

to be able to be designated the official emergency QB, in order to earn that (bonus) game-day active roster spot.

I think it’s most likely that last part – most of the team gets to go on a junket. Especially since the only reason they’re there is to promote the NFL in a foreign market – the more the merrier.

by Comedic.Sans on Oct 22, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought that...

…the emergency 3rd QB wasn’t part of the game-time roster? I thought they were the, in effect, 46th player?

by The Hill on Oct 23, 2009 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's the 'active roster' which is 53? players

which doesn’t include practice players (an extra 8), and then there’s the game-day which is 45. The emergency QB allows it to be 46, with rules about when the extra QB can be used. However, Stanback isn’t in the initial 53, since he’s practice squad. I’m pretty sure they’re only allowed to dip into the practice squad with league permission – otherwise they have to cut someone, promote the practice squad guy by offering him a contract, and making him an official team member. Stanback would basically have to sign a contract, take up a roster spot, etc to be included as emergency QB.

by Comedic.Sans on Oct 23, 2009 4:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs