Golden Tate, who will run the 40 and go through drills with the other wide receivers today at the Combine, is one of the top-ranked wideouts and played in a pro-style offense under Charlie Weis at Notre Dame. Tate talked about how that helped him, and about other topics with Sporting News’ Dennis Dillon and other reporters in Indianapolis.
Question: What was it like playing for Charlie Weis?
Golden Tate: That’s one of the reasons I accepted a scholarship to Notre Dame. I knew the situation I was going into was that coach Weis was a professional caliber coach, (so) the system’s got to be similar (to the NFL). He came from the Patriots and won championships. So I knew I was going to have a head start when I decided to pursue my dream and play professional football.
Golden Tate had 1,496 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns for Notre Dame in 2009.
Q: Why did you decide to come out early?
GT: I spoke with coach Weis before the season, and he told me, "Unless you have around 1,500 yards and around 16 or 17 touchdowns, I would not leave early." I had 1,500 yards (1,496 to be precise) and 15 touchdowns, so I was right there. After the season, before I made any decisions, we sat down and spoke. The pros were better than the cons, we thought. So I made the decision to enter the draft early.
Q: Which NFL receiver do you try to emulate?
GT: Steve Smith (of the Panthers). We have similar size, a similar build. I think I model my game after him. I’m not afraid to go over the middle and catch the ball or throw a block. Also, a newcomer to the game — Percy Harvin. I really liked what Minnesota did with him last year — moving him around in the backfield, reverses, in motion, the Wildcat. Hopefully, a team will see that in me and draft me.
Q: Why did your parents name you Golden?
GT: I don’t know where it came from. I don’t know what they were thinking. I’m actually the third, so there’s other Goldens running around here somewhere. It worked out. I guess you could say it fits me. A lot of people say, Golden Domer. Notre Dame. It was destined.
Q: What part of the on-field drills are you most looking forward to on Sunday?
GT: I’d say the 40. Running straight is my thing. I can do that. So I’m excited to see how my times come out. I think I’m going to run a sub 4.5, a decent time.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
Golden Tate, who will run the 40 and go through drills with the other wide receivers today at the Combine, is one of the top-ranked wideouts and played in a pro-style offense under Charlie Weis at Notre Dame. Tate talked about how that helped him, and about other topics with Sporting News’ Dennis Dillon and other reporters in Indianapolis.
Question: What was it like playing for Charlie Weis?
Golden Tate: That’s one of the reasons I accepted a scholarship to Notre Dame. I knew the situation I was going into was that coach Weis was a professional caliber coach, (so) the system’s got to be similar (to the NFL). He came from the Patriots and won championships. So I knew I was going to have a head start when I decided to pursue my dream and play professional football.
Golden Tate had 1,496 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns for Notre Dame in 2009.
Q: Why did you decide to come out early?
GT: I spoke with coach Weis before the season, and he told me, "Unless you have around 1,500 yards and around 16 or 17 touchdowns, I would not leave early." I had 1,500 yards (1,496 to be precise) and 15 touchdowns, so I was right there. After the season, before I made any decisions, we sat down and spoke. The pros were better than the cons, we thought. So I made the decision to enter the draft early.
Q: Which NFL receiver do you try to emulate?
GT: Steve Smith (of the Panthers). We have similar size, a similar build. I think I model my game after him. I’m not afraid to go over the middle and catch the ball or throw a block. Also, a newcomer to the game — Percy Harvin. I really liked what Minnesota did with him last year — moving him around in the backfield, reverses, in motion, the Wildcat. Hopefully, a team will see that in me and draft me.
Q: Why did your parents name you Golden?
GT: I don’t know where it came from. I don’t know what they were thinking. I’m actually the third, so there’s other Goldens running around here somewhere. It worked out. I guess you could say it fits me. A lot of people say, Golden Domer. Notre Dame. It was destined.
Q: What part of the on-field drills are you most looking forward to on Sunday?
GT: I’d say the 40. Running straight is my thing. I can do that. So I’m excited to see how my times come out. I think I’m going to run a sub 4.5, a decent time.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
