Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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irish in the pros Kippy Brown has elevated his game and helped him realize succeeding at the position is about more than pure athleticism. "I feel like I really started to develop once I got to the league and Coach Kippy Brown worked hard with me from day one," Tate said. "Coach Kip showed me I need to study the playbook more and really understand my assignments, understand defenses more. "He worked long and hard with me for my development. I and the organization are reaping the benefits now." Tate, who says he has not kept up with the current Irish squad closely because of his own responsibilities, emphasized that the Seahawks' goal is to hold off the San Francisco 49ers and win the NFC West. Through nine games, they led their division rival by one and a half games. A year ago, Seattle barely finished second in the division and had to go on the road in both playoff games. In the divisional round, it lost a heartbreaker 30-28 at Atlanta to end the season. "What [winning the division] means is we'd have a chance to play at home [in the playoffs]," he said. "We're outstanding at home with the 12th man behind us and we want to be the last team standing by winning the Super Bowl. "Personally, I want to continue to get better, and eventually, whenever that time comes, go to the Pro Bowl with punt returns or as a receiver and continue to get better, really. Those are kind of the personal goals on the Seahawks or wherever I may end up in the future." NFL Notes Through Nov. 7 • The New England Patriots signed former Notre Dame running back Cierre Wood to their practice squad Nov. 5. Wood was released by the Houston Texans in October for violating team rules. • Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd caught three passes for 30 yards and a touchdown in a 27-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons Oct. 27. He had 34 catches for 433 yards and two touchdowns through eight games. • Kansas City Chiefs tight end Anthony Fasano caught one pass for 20 yards in a 23-13 win over the Buffalo Bills Nov. 3. After missing the first four games, he started five straight contests and had 11 receptions for 95 yards. • Cincinnati Bengals rookie tight end Tyler Eifert caught three passes for 14 yards in a 22-20 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins Oct. 31. He had 27 receptions for 307 yards and one score through nine contests. • Minnesota Vikings tight end John Carlson caught seven passes for 98 yards and his first touchdown of the season in a 34-27 win over the Washington Redskins Nov. 7. Carlson was a larger factor in the Vikings offense with former Irish tight end Kyle Rudolph sidelined because of a fractured foot. Rudolph is expected to miss around a month of action. • San Diego Chargers linebacker Manti Te'o recorded nine tackles against the Washington Redskins Nov. 3. In five games, he has notched 26 tackles in the middle of the San Diego defense. • New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck picked up two tackles in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles Oct. 27. Despite losing their first six games, the Giants won their next two and stood just two games back of the first-place Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East through week nine. • New York Jets cornerback Darrin Walls recorded one tackle against the New Orleans Saints Nov. 3. For the season, he has 17 tackles and four passes broken up for the surprising 5-4 Jets. ✦