Was it a mistake for Patriots to let Brandon Tate go?
Tate’s stats with the Bengals are below (courtesy ESPN Boston). Given the Pats struggles on kick off returns and lack of a young receiver it’s fair to look at what Tate has done and think he could’ve helped a bit, at least in the kicking game. It’s a safe bet he’d have contributed more than Tyquan Underwood, Taylor Price and Chad Ochocinco combined.
WR Brandon Tate (Bengals)
- Week 16: Two kickoff returns for 40 yards, and one punt return for 2 yards in a 23-16 home win over Cardinals
- Week 15: Four kickoff returns for 101 yards and 2 punt returns for 71 yards in 20-13 road win over Rams
- Week 14: Two kickoff returns for 33 yards and 1 fair catch on a punt in a 20-19 home loss to the Texans
- Week 13: Four kickoff returns for 103 yards and 5 punt returns for 54 yards in a 35-7 road loss to Steelers; loses a fumble on one kickoff return
- Week 12: Four kickoff returns for 90 yards and 2 punt returns for minus-5 yards in 23-20 home win over Browns
- Week 11: Four punt returns for 24 yards in 31-24 road loss to Ravens
- Week 10: Two kickoff returns for 56 yards and four punt returns for 43 yards in 24-17 loss to the Steelers
- Week 9: Three kickoff returns for 51 yards and 5 punt returns for 9 yards in a 24-17 win at Tennessee
- Week 8: Scores on a 56-yard punt return in a 34-12 win at Seattle; adds four kickoff returns for 113 yards
- Week 7: Bye
- Week 6: Two punt returns for 35 yards (long of 33); 2 kickoff returns for 55 yards in a 27-17 home win over Colts
- Week 5: Three punt returns for 43 yards; 3 kickoff returns for 76 yards
- Week 4: Returns 7 punts for 69 yards in 23-20 home win over the Bills; adds 3 kickoff returns for 66 yards
- Week 3: Returns 3 punts for 31 yards with 3 fair catches; 2 kickoff returns for 50 yards
- Week 2: Returns five punts for 29 yards (5.8 avg.) in a 24-22 loss at Denver; no kickoff returns as all were touchbacks
- Week 1: Handles punt returns and kickoff returns in 27-17 win over Browns; finishes with 1 punt return for 15 yards and 3 fair catches, and has four kickoff returns for 92 yards, with a long of 35
