[Chronicle] John McClain: Ben Tate Likely Done For Season With Broken Ankle

Tate missed all of OTAs with a hamstring injury so I'm not all that surpised that vets like Slaton/Henry had better camps than him. I'm not making excuses for the guy but rookies struggling during training camp and then having a good regular season is not unheard of. Unfortunately we'll have to wait another year (at least) to find out.

Sharpton and Dickerson were impressive though, I can see both guys making early contributions to the team.

 

A DD in hand is worth 2 Reekos in the bush.

 

Not every rookie is going to blow the doors off the barn in their first NFL training camp. Most of these guys are just trying to keep their head from spinning the whole time. During the season, the NFL is a full time job and much more complicated than college. They're literally there for 12 hours a day practicing, working out, and in meetings -- and even longer during two-a-days.

Chris Henry is in his 4th or 5th camp now. He's been dubbed a 'practice warrior' all of his career, so it's no surprise he's turning heads now. The question is whether he can translate that to Sunday's.

You obviously don't have much faith, and unfortunately there isn't a lot to point at to say you're wrong based on history. But the consensus on the Ben Tate pick is that it was a good one, and that's all we'll have to go on until next year it appears. You can't bash the front office for passing on Gerhart just because Tate got hurt and didn't look good in two weeks of training camp practice.

 

very disappointing.....but injuries happen....which RBs are out there on the market?

 

Not sure we'll pick up another RB since we have Foster, Slaton, Henry, and Johnson on the roster. But there are some noteworthy RBs available if Kubiak and Co want to take a look:

Brian Westbrook (Expected to sign with Rams though)
Justin Fargas
Ladell Betts
LaMont Jordan

 

Fargas signed with the Broncos last week. Betts may be close to signing with the Saints from what I read. Whoever they pickup in all likely will be here for only 2 weeks. I am interested in seeing who gets waived/cut during the final cutdown day before the season starts.

 

I think at most, we'll pick up another camp body to get us through the preseason. Betts is coming off an ACL surgery and Westbrook or any other vet isn't going to want to sign here where they'll be 3rd string at best.

 

I think Westbrook would come here. Better than playing 2nd string to a carry dominating back like Stephen Jackson.

He would also get a chance to make the playoffs and even seen the Eagles during the season.

 

John McClain on Twitter.

This is ridiculous. The ONLY reason to bother reading anything this guy writes is because he has access that fan blogs don't. If he can't find out and report what the ankle injury specifically is, then what's the point of paying any attention to him at all?

What could it be?

What could it be?

What could it be?

How about picking up the phone and doing your job!

 

Yeah, thats why he's a complete idiot.

Heck, after Ben Tate wrote on his facebook that it wasnt broken, McClain wrote that the surgery will repair the broken ankle.

So basically, McClain just makes up that diagnosis himself? I dont understand why you'd report a certain injury when you have no clue what it is.

 

We've had arguably the best drafts in the NFL since Smith took over as GM...and you dont trust him? Good thing we arent 25 of the other franchises that continually miss out on their draft choices.

 

We have had some stinkers since 2006. (which he was not a part of)

 

In this case, he doesn't even have that. First I heard about Tate's Facebook comment was from a fan email on last night's Texan wrap-up show.

Hell, that's probably where McClain got this info from.

 

Ben Tate will go to IR, according to Kubiak just now. Not big news, just confirming it.

Didn't say whether it was broken or not, just that he will need surgery.

 

The 'what could it be' comment just irritated the hell out of me. As if he's just another fan wondering what's going on.

 

That sucks. I was for selecting a O-Linemen and drafting Tate instead of trading up for Mathews. Glad we traded up. :grin:

 

It's hard to argue that he is a top 5 drafter when this team has yet to make the playoffs during his tenure. Reektown doesn't give Smith nearly enough credit, but you give him far too much credit.

 

I'm expecting a lot out of Arian Foster. Personally, I thought he did extremely well at the end of last season and looked pretty good in the first preseason game. Slaton appears to still have butterfingers.

 

Look at our draft choices...Im giving Rick his due.

We have definitely had the talent to make the playoffs...when you have players that fail to do their job or a coach that is learning how to manage a clock, that'll hold you back. In the NFL, the smallest of mistakes can change the outcome of a game.

Rick has done his part...and he has drafted as well or better than the majority of the GMs in the NFL.

If you disagree...point out how we have drafted poorly...and then site more than 5 teams that have had more successful drafts.

 

2009 Draft:
Brian Cushing
Connor Barwin
Antoine Caldwell
Glover Quin
Anthony Hill
James Casey
Brice McCain
Troy Nolan

Foster and Johnson as FA runningbacks.

The only player that wont hasnt or wont have much impact is Anthony Hill. Casey has the talent and will get his time. All other players have significant roles on the team. You really cant have a much better draft.

2008 Draft:
Duane Brown
Antwuan Molden
Steve Slaton
Xavier Adibi
Frank Okam
Dominique Barber

Not as big as the 2009 draft, but still...these guys all contribute. Keep in mind, we didnt have a 2nd round pick...but we still came away with 6 contributing players.

2007 Draft:
Amobi Okoye
Jacoby Jones
Kasey Studdard
Zach Diles
No 2nd round pick

And this season, all indications are that we had another successful draft...the Tate injury hurts, but that isnt due to poor scouting.

If that is not successful drafting, then I'd be hard pressed to find many teams that have had success with the draft.