zayden185 wrote:CANHawk wrote:^Amen. Tate is super important to the offense. I'm a huge fan of what he brings. I wouldn't even think about parting ways with him at this point (unless he demands a totally stupid contract extension that is.)
What you have to ask is...could a cheaper rookie do his job? That's it...it's a bidness, and I waod say that any number of 4-7 draft picks can do what he does...and get separation as well on a consistent basis.
Had a great year..but replaceable
In fact I could argue that a faster taller version I him could do more!
And cheaper mid round pick with a chip on his shoulder fighting for veteran contract
Well that may be true but... look at the year Tate was drafted. 22 wide recievers were drafted after Tate in 2010 and maybe only 2 or 3 have contributed more than Golden Tate has; Mike Williams TB 3rd round, Eric Decker DEN 3rd and Antonio Brown PIT 6th. That means every one of those
4-7 round picks that you claim "can do what he does" and be cut out to be our #2 WR all flopped save for one (Antonio Brown - and the one that did hit was a total fluke pick that played Div 1 for Central Michigan that nobody saw coming).
Might we be able to draft a WR who can do what Tate does? More than likely. If we did draft a replacement #2 WR and let Tate walk, would that guy come from the 4-7th round?
Maaaaaaaybe (but probably not). And if we did draft "some guy" from the 4-7th round to replace Tate, would he be as productive as Tate is
now right away? Very likely no.
A bird in the hand, yadda yadda yadda...
Tate has admittedly taken a long time to prove he was worth that 2nd round pick (that was almost a 3rd round pick), but he's now proven that at the very
least his floor is that of a #2 WR in this league. The guy is young (24) and still very much improving. I still can see the potential of Steve Smith or Percey Harvin level production out of this guy. To just let him go because "some guy" might be able to do kinda what he does but only cheaper would be a mistake.
I seriously don't get the Tate hate around here sometimes. Kid is a baller and we're lucky to have him.