Edelman has broken arm

[Cman]

This is some bad news.  No word yet on how long he will be out, but he was receiver number 3/4 and punt returner.
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extra_points/2009/10/report_edelman.html

[Rondo2287]

Hopefully Brandon Tate is ready to step in.  He is was supposedly going to be our kick returner this year.  He was pretty nasty in college and I hope he can fill Edelmans shoes.

Definitly a blow though.  Tough to see a guy like that who comes in as 7th rounder and a rookie and makes an impact right away.  You wanna see a guy like that succeed.

[Rondo2287]

So I knew tate returned kicks, but I didnt know this

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NFL&id=5140&line=155959&spln=1

"rookie WR/KR Brandon Tate (knee), eligible to come off the PUP list this week, returned kicks in Tuesday's walkthrough practice.
The Pats have 21 days to decide whether to activate Tate, but this is a positive sign. If he's back to full health, the NCAA record holder for combined kick return yardage will be a weapon on special teams. Oct. 20 - 5:32 pm et "

[Donoghus]

They're certainly thin at the WR position right now. 

[Evantime34]

I expect Tate to assume return duties for both punt and kickoff by the end of the season. I expect Tate and Nunn to battle to be the 3rd wideout (starting after the bye) until Edelman is back. Next week I think we will see a lot of Baker and Watson at TE with Moss and Welker. I also see us using both Faulk and Maroney out of the backfield at the same time to catch passes.

[Rondo2287]

I think Aiken is gonna be the go to guy at the 3rd receiver for the time being. 

[yall hate]

I read 6-8 weeks for Edelman over on Sosh (by a guy who broke the news from an 'unnamed source' yesterday at 4pm, well before any news source even mentioend there may be an issue)


I doubt Tate is ready to do much in the way of WR, having not practiced at all (and we see the importance of being on the same page as Brady).  I would assume that will be either Aiken or Nunn (although I doubt Nunn).

I wouldnt be surprised if they had Faulk return punts...it seems like you really need to earn BB's trust back there, and while Tate is probably more explosive and a greater threat to bring it to the endzone, I would assume BB will give it to the guy who he has faith wont turn it over or make bad decisions on when to let one go and when to try a return.

[Rondo2287]

I read 6-8 weeks for Edelman over on Sosh (by a guy who broke the news from an 'unnamed source' yesterday at 4pm, well before any news source even mentioend there may be an issue)


I doubt Tate is ready to do much in the way of WR, having not practiced at all (and we see the importance of being on the same page as Brady).  I would assume that will be either Aiken or Nunn (although I doubt Nunn).

I wouldnt be surprised if they had Faulk return punts...it seems like you really need to earn BB's trust back there, and while Tate is probably more explosive and a greater threat to bring it to the endzone, I would assume BB will give it to the guy who he has faith wont turn it over or make bad decisions on when to let one go and when to try a return.

I dunno, I think faulk was pretty lousy returning punts.  Might as well just put somebody back their to fair catch it.  But I think Kick off returns is where we need the most help.  With Hobbs out of the picture I think we have struggled big time in getting good field position. 

When you look at the Jets game, I think one of the big differences was that is seemed like we were starting at our 20 everytime and with kick and punt returns by Leon they were starting at their 35-40.  If Tate can be that threat I definitly welcome it. 

[Cman]

I read 6-8 weeks for Edelman over on Sosh (by a guy who broke the news from an 'unnamed source' yesterday at 4pm, well before any news source even mentioend there may be an issue)


I doubt Tate is ready to do much in the way of WR, having not practiced at all (and we see the importance of being on the same page as Brady).  I would assume that will be either Aiken or Nunn (although I doubt Nunn).

I wouldnt be surprised if they had Faulk return punts...it seems like you really need to earn BB's trust back there, and while Tate is probably more explosive and a greater threat to bring it to the endzone, I would assume BB will give it to the guy who he has faith wont turn it over or make bad decisions on when to let one go and when to try a return.

I dunno, I think faulk was pretty lousy returning punts.  Might as well just put somebody back their to fair catch it.  But I think Kick off returns is where we need the most help.  With Hobbs out of the picture I think we have struggled big time in getting good field position. 

When you look at the Jets game, I think one of the big differences was that is seemed like we were starting at our 20 everytime and with kick and punt returns by Leon they were starting at their 35-40.  If Tate can be that threat I definitly welcome it. 

But do they just bring in Tate to return punts/kicks?  He needs to also do something else in order to earn a roster spot -- so he would need to be receiver #4.  i guess it will depend on how quickly he can get on the same page with Brady...

[Rondo2287]

I read 6-8 weeks for Edelman over on Sosh (by a guy who broke the news from an 'unnamed source' yesterday at 4pm, well before any news source even mentioend there may be an issue)


I doubt Tate is ready to do much in the way of WR, having not practiced at all (and we see the importance of being on the same page as Brady).  I would assume that will be either Aiken or Nunn (although I doubt Nunn).

I wouldnt be surprised if they had Faulk return punts...it seems like you really need to earn BB's trust back there, and while Tate is probably more explosive and a greater threat to bring it to the endzone, I would assume BB will give it to the guy who he has faith wont turn it over or make bad decisions on when to let one go and when to try a return.

I dunno, I think faulk was pretty lousy returning punts.  Might as well just put somebody back their to fair catch it.  But I think Kick off returns is where we need the most help.  With Hobbs out of the picture I think we have struggled big time in getting good field position. 

When you look at the Jets game, I think one of the big differences was that is seemed like we were starting at our 20 everytime and with kick and punt returns by Leon they were starting at their 35-40.  If Tate can be that threat I definitly welcome it. 

But do they just bring in Tate to return punts/kicks?  He needs to also do something else in order to earn a roster spot -- so he would need to be receiver #4.  i guess it will depend on how quickly he can get on the same page with Brady...

Agreed, Hopefully the time he spent not practicing he did his studying to learn the system. 

but in the end, BB knew this about Edelman before he let Galloway go, so I think you gotta assume BB thinks they got the guys on the roster they need. 

[Chris]

but in the end, BB knew this about Edelman before he let Galloway go, so I think you gotta assume BB thinks they got the guys on the roster they need. 

Well, I think it was more along the lines of BB rather putting a punter at wide reciever, than putting someone out there (Galloway) who simply does not have a clue what they are doing.  I really don't think Belichick ever keeps a guy on the team, who he thinks does not deserve a roster spot, just because they need someone at a particular position. 

I think we will be seeing a lot of double tight end sets over the next few weeks.  You also may see guys like Faulk, and certainly Watson, playing in the slot.

[Donoghus]

I don't think they're gonna take a guy coming off the PUP list and immediately plug him into the punt/kick returner spot.  

You'll probably see Welker or Faulk taking punts.  I wouldn't be surprised see maybe a DB taking back kicks although Tate might have a better shot to be plugged in right away on kickoff returns than punts.

[Evantime34]

I read 6-8 weeks for Edelman over on Sosh (by a guy who broke the news from an 'unnamed source' yesterday at 4pm, well before any news source even mentioend there may be an issue)


I doubt Tate is ready to do much in the way of WR, having not practiced at all (and we see the importance of being on the same page as Brady).  I would assume that will be either Aiken or Nunn (although I doubt Nunn).

I wouldnt be surprised if they had Faulk return punts...it seems like you really need to earn BB's trust back there, and while Tate is probably more explosive and a greater threat to bring it to the endzone, I would assume BB will give it to the guy who he has faith wont turn it over or make bad decisions on when to let one go and when to try a return.

I dunno, I think faulk was pretty lousy returning punts.  Might as well just put somebody back their to fair catch it.  But I think Kick off returns is where we need the most help.  With Hobbs out of the picture I think we have struggled big time in getting good field position. 

When you look at the Jets game, I think one of the big differences was that is seemed like we were starting at our 20 everytime and with kick and punt returns by Leon they were starting at their 35-40.  If Tate can be that threat I definitly welcome it. 

But do they just bring in Tate to return punts/kicks?  He needs to also do something else in order to earn a roster spot -- so he would need to be receiver #4.  i guess it will depend on how quickly he can get on the same page with Brady...

Agreed, Hopefully the time he spent not practicing he did his studying to learn the system. 

but in the end, BB knew this about Edelman before he let Galloway go, so I think you gotta assume BB thinks they got the guys on the roster they need. 

Tate is going to return kicks and punts for now (which is certainly enough to get a roster spot Slater is a special teams only player, so is alexander) then when he is ready he should be our 3rd WR. This kid is good, especially as a returner. He's shifty and fast or at least was in college.

[Cman]

Tate is going to return kicks and punts for now (which is certainly enough to get a roster spot Slater is a special teams only player, so is alexander) then when he is ready he should be our 3rd WR. This kid is good, I watched him man handle the BC DBs like no one has since Larry Fitzgerald. Not saying he's as good as Fitz but he torched BC in a similar fashion.

I hope you're right.  And TP for getting me excited.

[yall hate]

I read 6-8 weeks for Edelman over on Sosh (by a guy who broke the news from an 'unnamed source' yesterday at 4pm, well before any news source even mentioend there may be an issue)


I doubt Tate is ready to do much in the way of WR, having not practiced at all (and we see the importance of being on the same page as Brady).  I would assume that will be either Aiken or Nunn (although I doubt Nunn).

I wouldnt be surprised if they had Faulk return punts...it seems like you really need to earn BB's trust back there, and while Tate is probably more explosive and a greater threat to bring it to the endzone, I would assume BB will give it to the guy who he has faith wont turn it over or make bad decisions on when to let one go and when to try a return.

I dunno, I think faulk was pretty lousy returning punts.  Might as well just put somebody back their to fair catch it.  But I think Kick off returns is where we need the most help.  With Hobbs out of the picture I think we have struggled big time in getting good field position. 

When you look at the Jets game, I think one of the big differences was that is seemed like we were starting at our 20 everytime and with kick and punt returns by Leon they were starting at their 35-40.  If Tate can be that threat I definitly welcome it. 

Faulk has always been reliable in not making bad decisions on punts or muffing them.  he is not flashy and is not going to take 30-40 yard returns.  but BB has stuck with him in the past because of his decision making.  For the most part, similar to Troy Brown when he was here. he wasnt a speedster and he wasnt going to have huge returns.  but he wasnt going to cost the team either.  I would not be surprised if Tate is a tsome point our punt returner, but I would be surprised if it was soon. 

as a kick returner, I could see him stepping right in.