Kenny Tate - Linebacker?

[JohnD]

Saw on another site that Tate is moving to linebacker this year? Pluses, minuses as he's a senior? That's just a few of the position changes that have been indicated. Desmond Kearse (cousin of NFLer Javon) is also moving from safety to LB. Last year he was used primarily as a pass rusher anyway in Don Brown's system. As a true freshman he was pretty small even for safety though. But he showed the ability to hassle QBs before he got hurt.

[Tony-OH]

Saw on another site that Tate is moving to linebacker this year? Pluses, minuses as he's a senior? That's just a few of the position changes that have been indicated. Desmond Kearse (cousin of NFLer Javon) is also moving from safety to LB. Last year he was used primarily as a pass rusher anyway in Don Brown's system. As a true freshman he was pretty small even for safety though. But he showed the ability to hassle QBs before he got hurt.

That's pretty surprising. I thought he was a potential first rounder next year as a safety. I loved having that 6-foot-4 safety roaming around but perhaps he outgrow the position over the winter? I wonder if this is something he wanted to do or something the new coaching staff decided?

Interesting non the less but it sure doesn't give him much time to learn a new position.

[JohnD]

He was real effective doing linebacker like things. And he'll be faster than a lot of other linebackers. He's fairly strong too. I can see WHY it would be attempted. It's just a lot when you're a senior. High risk, but high reward.

[NewMarketSean]

I'd rather have Terry Tate (http://www2.fileplanet.com/images/110000/119394ss_sm2.jpg).

[Birds of B'more]

Did Tate play safety in HS? I know he was recruited to UM as a WR. I think Tate can physically handle LB at the college level, but I'm not sure about the NFL level, which makes the move a this stage all the more curious for his future prospects....especially since he was considering leaving early. As for making the switch in the final year, Chris Kelly switched from QB to safety his senior season a few years ago, but he wasn't a potential NFL draft pick like Tate.

[JDubs]

That's pretty surprising. I thought he was a potential first rounder next year as a safety. I loved having that 6-foot-4 safety roaming around but perhaps he outgrow the position over the winter? I wonder if this is something he wanted to do or something the new coaching staff decided?

Interesting non the less but it sure doesn't give him much time to learn a new position.

I guess it could be seen by Tate as 'building his resume.' This way he may be attractive to teams that need a safety (he could switch back) AND teams that need a linebacker (if he proves himself).

It also shows that he is a team player/coachable. He can still project into the first round.

[ccbird]

Just out of curiousity when did Urlacher make the switch from Safety to Linebacker?? Was he a safety his whole career at New Mexico??


Anyway, this is an interesting move considering Tate may have ben a 2nd rounder this year as a safety. I guess this is to showcase his athleticism and make him more of a terror near the LOS. If it doesn't work out well I'm sure he'll transition back to safety at some point.

[Pedro Cerrano]

They're clearly trying to get faster on D.

[balk]

From what I've heard, we're planning on using him in the new hybrid LB/S position that a lot of programs are starting to use.

Here's an article on the position: http://www.newsok.com/article/3544373#

[Danielos38]

I like this a lot. He did a lot of linebacker-ish things last year anyways. I always felt like his height and size were wasted a bit a safety. Plus, he's a pretty good tackler. Hopefully, this means that we'll replace him at safety with someone just as fast.

[Balmer Bomber]

I read the thread title and thought this is who you were talking about.

Terry Tate, Office Linebacker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzToNo7A-94)