Brandon Tate checks in
Here's a transcript of receiver Brandon Tate's conference call with the New England media -- transcribed by the Patriots' media relations department -- after being selected by the Patriots in the third round (83rd overall) in the NFL Draft.
Q: Were you surprised at all when the Patriots called your name?
Brandon Tate: Yeah, I was really surprised. It seemed like a long, long wait, but I'm glad I went to the Patriots.
Q: Did they contact you or did you come up here for a visit?
BT: Yeah, I came for a visit. And it was right before they called my name that Bill Belichick called me and I was really excited.
Q: How's your injured knee and do you anticipate being able to participate in training camp?
BT: I'm just really into rehab and we'll see what happens after that.
Q: Which knee was that?
BT: The right knee.
Q: And how did you injure it?
BT: Somebody hit me from the side on a punt return.
Q: In which game?
BT: The Notre Dame game.
Q: Did the Patriots express any interest in using you as a punt and kickoff returner? Obviously you had a lot of success doing that at North Carolina.
BT: Like I said, we'll see what the Patriots want. Whatever they want me to do, I'm going to do it. You all already know what I can do, so whatever they want me to do, I'm willing to do it.
Q: There was a report that you tested positive for marijuana at the combine. Is that true?
BT: I know I had made a mistake, and now that's behind me. I'm just moving forward, getting ready to go to the NFL and play for the Patriots.
Q: Was that something that came up during this draft process—that teams wanted you to explain that?
BT: Like I said, all of that is behind me. Whatever happened with that, it already happened, so I'm moving forward.
Q: Were you concerned that it might affect your draft status?
BT: I knew it probably would, but I was still waiting on that call because I knew somebody would give me a chance. I thank the Patriots for that, so I'm going to come in and I'm willing to work for them.
Q: How happy were you that the call did come eventually?
BT: I was really excited. My family, everybody in the whole house, was just jumping around the whole house like it was rocking.
Q: Where were you when you got the call?
BT: In my mother's house.
Q: Where is that?
BT: Burlington, North Carolina.
Q: Are you looking forward to learning from someone like Randy Moss or Wes Welker?
BT: Yeah. Like I said, I'm [excited] to come here. I know one of them is going to take me under their wing, and whatever they tell me, it's got to be the right thing because they're [each] one of the best. Like I said, I'm glad I'm on a team like this, and I just want to learn to get better.
Q: How familiar are you with the Patriots and Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and Randy Moss?
BT: I was already really familiar with the Patriots—the caliber of their team; they're a championship team. Like I said, Bill Belichick, he gave me a chance, so I'm going to come in and work extra hard for him.
Q: So do you think you'll be ready for mini camp in June and training camp in July?
BT: When I go up there, I'm just going to rehab and whatever happens, happens.
Q: Have you had any setbacks at this point?
BT: I'm still going. I'm still moving forward. Something good came out of it, so I'm still going to keep continuing to work harder and harder.
Q: Are you concerned at all about the injury having an impact on your speed and agility?
BT: No. I'm not really concerned at all because I know what I can do, personally, as a player, so I'm rehabbing and just trying to get back to that state.
Q: Is this the first time you've suffered an injury of this type?
BT: Yes.
You have a typo at the top of your post, Mike. Tate is a WR, not a CB.
I don't know....sounds a little too confident. Don't get me wrong, confidence isn't a bad thing, but it seems like most guys coming in who want to project themselves as "Patriot type players" take the "super, overly humble" approach. His word choice doesn't say that to me. That could be fine, it's just a break from the recent history.
Does this guy talk like a Patriot or what? Are you sure this was Tate and not BB on the other end of the line. Here's wishing Brandon all the best! Looking forward to seeing him on the field.
I looked it up....the game he hurt his knee on was Oct 11 versus Notre Dame.
This kid is an explosive athlete. Probably the best kick returner in college....a Devin Hester type talent. BB took a flyer on this kid because of the injury and the positive pot test. However, he took the risk because the upside is so huge. Prior to the injury the kid was probably headed for the first round.
Because of the tremendous job BB and his staff do in moving around the board and getting extra picks.......they can afford to take a risk pick occasionally.
Considering the Patriots worked him out earlier this month, that means he must be healthy/or close to it. And if this guy comes back to full health and plays like he did pre-injury, then it will definitely pay off for the patriots.
The least he can do is give Brady some company in the rehab process. Might turn out to be the beginning friendship of the next great receiver, catching passes from TB.
For all you folks who are up north and don't watch a lot of ACC Football, beside the occasional BC game, Brandon Tate is a stud! And i know most of you will say he has questionable character because he poped for weed at the combine. ATTENTION: College kids smoke weed. i know its crazy, but they do. I promice you that Tate will make you soon forget about that 1st round bust Chad Jackson.
I wonder if he will bring his bong to training camp....
Chad was a second round bust
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