Friday, April 23, 2010

SEAHAWKS: Seahawks take WR Golden Tate no. 60



Golden Tate, making a leaping catch.

What! A wide receiver in the second round? Yes, this is the new Seahawks, run by head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider.

Seattle drafted Notre Dame Biletnikoff winner Golden Tate no. 60 overall, a position Seattle had not drafted this high in nine years. The last time Seattle picked a wide out in the first two rounds was Koren Robinson in the first round of the 2001 draft.

So, yeah, things are shaping up quite differently in this year's draft than in the past.

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Tate won't wow you with superb routes, nor will he dazzle with his ability to create separation (although he may have the tools to do that with a 4.42 40 time.)

Seattle fans will likely get to know Tate as someone who turns nothing into something. Think Anquan Boldin.

Imagine a screen pass turning into 30 yards or a check-down gaining the first down. Tate has the ability to make defenders miss with his quickness and strength. He has been known to bowl over a cornerback or two in his days at Notre Dame.

Doesn't that sound like a good fit for the West Coast offense?

On his way to the 2009 Belitnikoff, an award dealt to the best WR in college football, Tate racked up 15 touchdowns, nearly 1,500 yards on 93 catches.

Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com