Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Irish In The Pros Golden Tate Primed For Breakout Season By Wes Morgan Golden Tate has always done things in a big way. Whether it was the acrobatic catches at Notre Dame that made him an instant Fighting Irish legend, or his debut in the National Football League in 2010, which included his first reception that went for 52 yards and a 63-yarder on his first career punt return, the athletic wideout is no stranger to a highlight reel. Now, in his third season as a professional, he wants to kick it into another gear. “I feel like the organization trusts me a whole lot more than it did the last two years,” said Tate, who added a 92-yard punt return for a touchdown against Kansas City on Aug. 25 to his portfolio. “They’re depending on me to come through and make plays and put the team in a better position to win. It gives me an opportunity to go out there and show what I can do. “They say year three for receivers is the year it kind of clicks. I’m going into this season knowing the position well.” A number of quarterback changes, new coaches, a lockout last season, a new offensive coordinator and a failed experiment at the slot position to start 2011 are some of the reasons Tate feels like he hasn’t soared to the same heights he experienced at Notre Dame, where he still ranks second all-time in receptions in a season (93 in 2009), first in receptions per game in a season (7.75 in 2009), second in single-game yardage (244 versus Washington in 2009) and first in single-season yardage (1,496 in 2009). Tate played in 11 games for Seattle in 2010, catching 21 passes for 227 yards and no touchdowns. Last year he started five of 16 games played and finished with 35 receptions for 382 yards and three touchdowns. During the preseason this year, Tate started all four of Seattle’s games and recorded three receptions for 27 yards to go along with the punt return touchdown. “My rookie year I had to learn the playbook and figuring out the game within the game in the NFL,” the 5-10, 202-pounder said. “The second year we come back and we’re locked out, so I didn’t get a chance to hook up with the coaches all offseason. On top of that we got a new offensive coordinator. I had to learn a different offense and then I had to learn the slot position. It didn’t work too well. Finally this year we decided I’m going to play on the outside and just focus on that. “I feel comfortable with the offseason. I finally had somewhat of a normal offseason so I could take advantage of the time with my coaches and learn the offense.” Preseason Notes • Chicago Bears running back Armando Allen started in the final preseason game against Cleveland, rushing for a game-high 83 yards on 26 carries. He finished the preseason with 97 yards and no touchdowns, and was cut on Aug. 31. • Rookie defensive back Robert Blanton made an appearance in Minnesota’s last preseason game against Houston, and recorded seven total tackles (five solo). • Patriots defensive back Sergio Brown picked up his first four stops of the preseason against the New York Giants in the team’s exhibition finale. • In his battle with Derek Anderson for the backup role to Cam Newton in Carolina, Jimmy Clausen completed 19 of 37 passes for 252 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in four preseason contests. • Veteran center Jeff Faine finally found a new home for his 10th NFL season, inking a free-agent deal with Cincinnati in late August after an injury opened up a starting position. • Miami tight end Anthony Fasano finished the preseason with six receptions for 55 yards and no touchdowns in three games. • Cardinals first-round draft pick Michael Floyd hauled in five passes for 56 yards in the preseason, including his first and only touchdown (22 yards) against Denver on Aug. 30. • Running back Jonas Gray was placed on the Dolphins’ reserve/non-football injury list on Aug. 25, making him ineligible for the team’s first six games. • Defensive tackle Derek Landri saw action in three preseason games with the Eagles, and notched seven tackles and one sack. • St. Louis Rams defensive lineman Trevor Laws was placed on injured reserve on Aug. 27 with a patellar tendon injury. • Brady Quinn edged out Ricky Stanzi and earned Kansas City’s No. 2 quarterback job by completing 23 of 41 passes for 278 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in the preseason. • Minnesota tight end Kyle Rudolph played in three exhibition games and caught six passes for 65 yards. Fellow Golden Domer Harrison Smith appeared in three preseason games for the Vikings, starting two, and broke up two passes and recorded four tackles. • Linebacker Brian Smith was released by Tampa Bay on Aug. 27. • Detroit wide receiver Maurice Stovall had three receptions for 48 yards in four exhibition games. • Atlanta cornerback Darrin Walls made six stops and broke up a pass in three preseason contests. • 49ers defensive tackle Ian Williams started his team’s final preseason tilt and registered nine tackles in four games. • Tom Zbikowski started all four preseason games for the Colts and had five tackles. • Heading into the NFL’s final roster cuts Labor Day weekend, free agents Victor Abiamiri, Arnaz Battle, Taylor Dever, Ryan Grant and Mark LeVoir had yet to hook on with new teams. Irish In The NFL As of Aug. 31 Name (Years At Notre Dame)Pos.Current Team Robert Blanton (2008-11)DBMinnesota Vikings Sergio Brown (2006-09)SNew England Patriots David Bruton (2005-08)SDenver Broncos John Carlson (2003-07)TEMinnesota Vikings Jimmy Clausen (2007-09)QBCarolina Panthers Jeff Faine (1999-2002)CCincinnati Bengals Anthony Fasano (2002-05)TEMiami Dolphins Darius Fleming* (2008-11)LBSan Francisco 49ers Michael Floyd (2008-11)WRArizona Cardinals Jonas Gray (2008-11)RBMiami Dolphins Ryan Harris (2003-06)OTDenver Broncos J.J. Jansen (2004-07)LSCarolina Panthers Ethan Johnson (2008-11)DEKansas City Chiefs Terrail Lambert (2004-08)CBOakland Raiders Derek Landri (2002-06)DTPhiladelphia Eagles Trevor Laws* (2003-07)DTSt. Louis Rams Name (Years At Notre Dame)Pos.Current Team Kyle McCarthy* (2005-09)SKansas City Chiefs Eric Olsen (2006-09)OLNew Orleans Saints Brady Quinn (2003-06)QBKansas City Chiefs Trevor Robinson (2008-11)OGCincinnati Bengals Kyle Rudolph (2008-10)TEMinnesota Vikings Harrison Smith (2007-11)SMinnesota Vikings Maurice Stovall (2002-05)WRDetroit Lions John Sullivan (2003-07)CMinnesota Vikings Golden Tate (2007-09)WRSeattle Seahawks Justin Tuck (2001-04)DENew York Giants Darrin Walls (2006-10)CBAtlanta Falcons Ian Williams (2007-10)DTSan Francisco 49ers Sam Young (2006-09)OTBuffalo Bills Tom Zbikowski (2003-07)SIndianapolis Colts * Suffered a season-ending injury