Golden Tate

[piyachi]

I did and they impressed the hell out of me. He has true-impact freshman literally written on that jersey somewhere. I'm just saying it takes a little time to really make someone a key part of the offense - Kamara has also looked great and still hasn't been given a true starting role... these things take time.

Look if I am the coach I make my real 3 wide receivers Kamara, Tate, and Parris in order to take advantage of their respective physicality/athleticism, speed/hands, and clutch catching (Robby seems to inately be there on 3rd/4th down situations). Fact is, the coaches aren't fans and don't make changes based on one game - albeit an effin' awesome one (averaging what, 34/35 yds per catch?!). I mean, Samardzija didn't make an impact until his junior year and he set all sorts of records, so given time Golden will have a bigger and bigger role.

That's almost a shame about the speed. Oh well, I'd rather have him be fast than me.

 

[Tennesseeirish]

ESPN - Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Purdue Boilermakers Photos, September 29 2007 - NCAA College Football

 

[piyachi]

In true espn fashion they screwed the names up - nice photo, crappy reporting.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

They need to send him deep more often, and get the ball to AA w/o getting 6 yard losses.

 

[goldenlid]

I saw CW say that Tate can run pass guys it is just knowing what to run. I have an ideal let him run go's, post, and outs this year and learn in the winter.

 

[GoshenGipper]

Apparently the Golden Tate Bandwagon is now at full speed. This shirt is being passed around facebook, and apparently it will be going for $15.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Sweet shirt.

 

[kmoose]

They need to send him deep more often, and get the ball to AA w/o getting 6 yard losses.

They need to prove they can protect the QB long enough for any of the receivers to get open downfield, before they worry about sending Tate (or anyone else) deep.

 

[Tennesseeirish]

They need to prove they can protect the QB long enough for any of the receivers to get open downfield, before they worry about sending Tate (or anyone else) deep.

He looked fine on Saturday

 

[Tennesseeirish]

Apparently the Golden Tate Bandwagon is now at full speed. This shirt is being passed around facebook, and apparently it will be going for $15.

Thats a SWEET shirt. How can you order one?

 

[GoshenGipper]

Thats a SWEET shirt. How can you order one?

I'll see if the guy that told me about it knows how to get one, then if I found out I'll PM you.

 

[Tennesseeirish]

I'll see if the guy that told me about it knows how to get one, then if I found out I'll PM you.

Thanks Goshen. I was in the Training Room at school when I first saw this t-shirt at 6:30 this morning. Then our AD came in to get treatment and I showed her and she was impressed. Then around 6:55 this morning kids started showing up for treatment (ones Golden played with the last couple of years) When I showed them the shirt they were like, "Man thats freaking awesome, our boy Golden is doing his thing!!!' They were really excited to see this shirt. And the thing about Golden is that I have seen him make catches like he did Saturday probably 25-30 times, and what makes it even more special to see him do these things is that he is a Team player, he has AWESOME Character, he never thinks of himself first. And thats what makes Golden, "GOLDEN"

 

[Newc]

Thanks for the story Tenn Irish. This is what makes me proud to be an Irish fan when we get kids like Golden that are obviously well-rounded people. I can't wait to see what this kid has in store for the college football scene in the years to come... I'm predicting big things.

 

[Tennesseeirish]

Thanks for the story Tenn Irish. This is what makes me proud to be an Irish fan when we get kids like Golden that are obviously well-rounded people. I can't wait to see what this kid has in store for the college football scene in the years to come... I'm predicting big things.

One of the kids this morning made the comment, "He might win the Heisman one day." Everyone looked at each other and was like, "yeah he could." I know its a little premature, but these kids wanna see Golden do well.

 

[kmoose]

He looked fine on Saturday

He did. But that was only one game. The offensive line finally gave the QBs time to throw the ball. But............was that because something is finally coming together for the O-line? Or was it just a favorable match-up with Purdue's front 7? UCLA and BC will probably answer those questions. I'm just to the point where they are going to have to do things well for more than one game, before I truly believe that they have figured it out. I think there is a lot of individual talent on the field. They just don't play with a lot of TEAM talent.

 

[johnnd05]

He did. But that was only one game. The offensive line finally gave the QBs time to throw the ball. But............was that because something is finally coming together for the O-line? Or was it just a favorable match-up with Purdue's front 7? UCLA and BC will probably answer those questions. I'm just to the point where they are going to have to do things well for more than one game, before I truly believe that they have figured it out. I think there is a lot of individual talent on the field. They just don't play with a lot of TEAM talent.

The o-line has looked a lot better both of the last two weeks. But the next three games are definitely the real test.

 

[Wham]

One of the kids this morning made the comment, "He might win the Heisman one day."

Easily the most incredible focused catches I have seen since Maurice Stoval. My first thought was that this is a Heisman capable athlete.

Kmoose
I think C W kept it simple with a 5 step drop and heave. Linemen look good, qb looks good, receiver looks good.

But simple is hard to do.

This team is loaded with talent. I hope CW knows how to use it.

 

[kmoose]

The o-line has looked a lot better both of the last two weeks. But the next three games are definitely the real test.

I missed the Michigan and Michigan State games, on TV. I was in Bulgaria, and had to catch the radio broadcast, online. I won't be happy until they can open up some of the gaping holes, for the tailbacks, that I am used to seeing from an ND offensive line. I could see the improvement on Saturday. But I still wonder if that was because they are getting better, or because they are playing less talented front 7s. One thing that Georgia Tech, Penn State, and Michigan are ALL known for, is having tough as nails front 7s. So it's quite possible that MSU's, and Purdue's, front 7s are in that tier just below top shelf.

 

[Z-Bo]

Man, if Wesley Tate is "supposedly" better than Golden... I just can't even fathom that. Just can't. Doesn't seem possible. Golden is a natural.

 

[johnnd05]

Here's a little bit that I just wrote for the Roundup on Golden Tate Mania:

Talk of the Town

A bit more than a month ago, just before Notre Dame's season opener against Georgia Tech, NBC's John Walters posed the following question:

Will freshman wide receiver Golden Tate emerge as a cult favorite, inspiring a freshman cheering section who dub themselves "Golden Taters" and toss Ore-Ida crispers after each score?​

From what I've heard this hasn't happened quite yet, though a recent opinion piece in the Observer - written last week, while Tate was merely "our best young kick returner," and not college football's hottest young commodity - does include in its byline the suggestion that "Golden Taters" should become a staple at ND's dining halls. (No word on that one either.)

In any case, there's no doubt that Golden's been on our minds: based on a quick glance over the transcripts from Charlie Weis's Sunday and Tuesday press conferences, I see at least six questions dealing specifically with Tate, and a quick spin on Google reveals 99 news articles and 20 blog posts that talk about the superstar frosh - all of these since Monday.

That Tate has become a hit should hardly come as a surprise to any of the nearly 20,000 people who have watched Tate's high school highlight video:
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<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8MXoUt61Qzk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></object>
Put all of this together and there's reason to think that Tate, and not George West, is the diminutive Irish receiver soon to be a household name.

While we're on the subject of names, though, let me just go on the record as saying that while "Golden Boy" is definitely okay, it's been done - more than once, in fact - and so I'd prefer something more along the lines of "Jumpman23" or "His Airness," though if it turns out that Adidas won't allow it, I could definitely live with busting out a classic once again.


But all of this hype pales in comparison to what the kids at Keough Hall are up to:



I mean, you can't be an Irish legend until you've been immortalized on a bestselling t-shirt, right? At present they're available for 15 bucks via Facebook, though don't be surprised to see them in the parking lot a week from Saturday. Nearly 80 have been bought already, and it's hard to imagine that there's a ceiling on how many of these could be sold when all is said and done.

In any case, freshmen of Notre Dame, I think it's time to make Walters's prediction come true.

Available at a Meyer near you, while supplies last.
Just make sure to defrost them first - we don't want anyone to lose an eye.
​

 

[WeisWeisBaby]

Great post John! I might start buying those golden taters and eat them pre-game for a little Irish Boost!!

 

[goldandblue]

Thanks Goshen. I was in the Training Room at school when I first saw this t-shirt at 6:30 this morning. Then our AD came in to get treatment and I showed her and she was impressed. Then around 6:55 this morning kids started showing up for treatment (ones Golden played with the last couple of years) When I showed them the shirt they were like, "Man thats freaking awesome, our boy Golden is doing his thing!!!' They were really excited to see this shirt. And the thing about Golden is that I have seen him make catches like he did Saturday probably 25-30 times, and what makes it even more special to see him do these things is that he is a Team player, he has AWESOME Character, he never thinks of himself first. And thats what makes Golden, "GOLDEN"

I'm assuming you are faculty at PJPII? Just passed there today going to rivergate. I think I'm going to try and come to one of your home games to see Wesley play. What would be a good game on your up coming schedule to attend?

 

[goldandblue]

After we get done eating our golden taters, we can pour some of this on our pancackes for breakfast!

 

[johnnd05]

I'm assuming you are faculty at PJPII? Just passed there today going to rivergate. I think I'm going to try and come to one of your home games to see Wesley play. What would be a good game on your up coming schedule to attend?

He's the athletic trainer.

 

[Tennesseeirish]

I'm assuming you are faculty at PJPII? Just passed there today going to rivergate. I think I'm going to try and come to one of your home games to see Wesley play. What would be a good game on your up coming schedule to attend?

Yes. 10/12 7:00 Home against Ensworth. 10/19/07 7:00 Homecoming against Memphis-Hillcrest

 

[irish4ever]

Easily the most incredible focused catches I have seen since Maurice Stoval. My first thought was that this is a Heisman capable athlete.

His one catch when he laid out reminded me of Shark's catch near the goal line against Purdue 2 year's ago on the bomb by Quinn. Unbelieveable concentration and focus!!!

 

[Newc]

Damn...is facebook the only place to get that shirt? I really want one but cancelled my facebook once I graduated at the recommendation of a co-worker.

 

[johnnd05]

Damn...is facebook the only place to get that shirt? I really want one but cancelled my facebook once I graduated at the recommendation of a co-worker.

Yeah, right now they're only available via Facebook. I'm not sure why they don't create a site - they'd be millionaires. I think that pretty much anyone can create a Facebook account now, though.

 

[Tennesseeirish]

Yeah, right now they're only available via Facebook. I'm not sure why they don't create a site - they'd be millionaires. I think that pretty much anyone can create a Facebook account now, though.

90,000 shirts multiplied by $15 = 1.35 million

 

[Irishtat]

Here's what UCLA is saying about Tate:
Sports: Speedy Notre Dame freshman gives UCLA pause | tate, irish, week, pass, notre - OCRegister.com

He's Golden... Go Irish!