Ben Tate Released - Vikings claim him on waivers

[Iceman]

I get a bunch of updates to my mailbox about every player because I am a fantasy football nut. Tate's unhappiness came out about 2 weeks ago and I believe it was on ESPN, Profootball Talk, and Football Guys.

The next week I don't think he had a carry, which is a pretty strong statement from the team.

Was he upset being behind Foster in Houston a few years back?

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Now I like this option far more than Blount.

I do too.

 

[Mulli]

Woot!

 

[kerouac9]

I'm so glad I traded for him in my keeper league.

Tate's an interesting player. Strong runner in a zone scheme; don't know if the Browns are moving away from that based on injuries to their OL (zone blockers need to play together quite a bit to work everything out).

We run a lot of zone plays right now, actually. Could be an interesting option.

 

[splitsecond]

If he clears waivers hell yea try him out. He kills in zone blocking schemes like we run. He'd be the number 2 quickly if he can learn the offense.


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[MadCardDisease]

Reports are that he was complaining about playing time and the Browns management are remaining mumm on the issue. Plus he was only averaging 1.7 yards a carry in his last 5 games and 3.1 for the season. That's not good especially seeing how much better the 2 Browns rookies are doing behind the same line.

I'm not sure he fits what the Cardinals are looking for. Are the Cards desparate enough at RB to mess with team chemistry? If the Browns are not willing to keep him that's a bad sign in my book. I'd rather stick with Stepfan Taylor.

 

[jbeecham]

If he clears waivers (which is a big IF), I'd be ok with Arians talking to him to see if he's open to a backup role getting 10-15 carries a game. Ellington is getting hammered trying to run up the middle and guys are piling on him at the end of plays trying to hurt/slow him down even more.

We've been going up against strong run defenses, but our rushing totals have been abysmal the last 2 games. Ellington doesn't have the strength to wear down teams with punishing runs... instead he's getting worn down taking punishing hits. It's time to scale him back to runs/tosses to the outside, screen passes & being a 4th or 5th wide receiver when we go with an empty backfield... kind of the LaRod Stevens-Howling role (just with a lot more snaps).

The other knock on Tate is that he either won't play special teams or isn't good at playing special teams.

 

[PJ1]

What we are doing to Ellington is ridiculous. I said before the season started Ellington deserved more touches this year but he is not your between the tackle back on first down. Many didn't like Mendenhall but we needed to replace him in some manner. Taylor isn't the answer and did Grice even get a carry Sunday?

 

[Jetstream Green]

This could be a gift from the football gods or a curse with the possibility of Tate's bitter attitude but Ellington is hurting, more than once I looked at his facial expressions and he looked frustrated and in pain. Ellington needs some rest because the whole freaking offense is running through him and our OL may pass protect well but they are horrid at run blocking... I do not think this team has a choice, get Tate and he will have enough time to learn the offense to be productive in the playoffs

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Tate would be a huge upgrade over Taylor and Grice. His issues in Cleveland were not prevalent in Houston. I wouldn't claim him without talking him but would rather bring him in once he clears waivers. In that case, he would come to AZ knowing his role and accepting of it.

 

[unseenaz]

Reports are that he was complaining about playing time and the Browns management are remaining mumm on the issue. Plus he was only averaging 1.7 yards a carry in his last 5 games and 3.1 for the season. That's not good especially seeing how much better the 2 Browns rookies are doing behind the same line.

I'm not sure he fits what the Cardinals are looking for. Are the Cards desparate enough at RB to mess with team chemistry? If the Browns are not willing to keep him that's a bad sign in my book. I'd rather stick with Stepfan Taylor.

Ellington is averaging 3.6 YPC this season and 2.9 YPC over the last 5 games. for what it's worth

 

[Snakester]

Bring him in for a talk and a tryout. We need another good RB badly. Maybe he can be that guy who knows.

 

[Russ Smith]

I always liked him backing up Foster but seems like when he got the Browns job handed to him, he didn't take it and run with it.

I think he's as good as either Crowell or West but they both are younger and cost less so there was no incentive to play him enough to get his bonus to kick in.

 

[Shaggy]

Why doesn't the Cards run Taylor more. He can get those chump yards and give Ellington a break here and there? Why hasn't that happened more?

 

[Cardiac]

Why doesn't the Cards run Taylor more. He can get those chump yards and give Ellington a break here and there? Why hasn't that happened more?

That was the question for most of the season, Russ had a thread about Taylor peeing in BA's cereal. Then Taylor had a very good game in which it was him running the ball exclusively on a TD drive (forget the game). Then Taylor gets hurt and hasn't gotten any reps.

Taylor seems not to have enough quicks or speed for an NFL back but he did get it done on that one series so who knows.

Tate is cut because of attitude and Blount is the poster child for idiot so let's look somewhere else.

 

[Iceman]

There has to be a few other teams that want Tate. Colts for instance. Bradshaw is done for season and Richardson has been bad. Not sure we would even get a shot at him, but sure hope so.

 

[Darkside]

Honestly, I'd take any RB, regardless of bad attitude. This team and lockeroom will shape him. He can play here a year and Excell or suck and get nothing. It's not that hard. This is a team of winners and I don't think one punk can change our whole lockeroom, no way.

 

[crisper57]

There has to be a few other teams that want Tate. Colts for instance. Bradshaw is done for season and Richardson has been bad. Not sure we would even get a shot at him, but sure hope so.

Per NFL Network, several teams put in claims on him. Since Cards are #32 in line, they lose.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Oakland it is then... Just my guess.

 

[Russ Smith]

Why doesn't the Cards run Taylor more. He can get those chump yards and give Ellington a break here and there? Why hasn't that happened more?

Right after his breakout game, he got hurt and missed 2 games.

Taylor is a perfect Cards player in that he does things that don't get in the boxscore like blitz pickup. In the last game there's a play where on his way out in a pattern he realizes Veldheer is in trouble so he adjusts slightly and chips the DE on his way out. The ball went somewhere else, I honestly don't remember the the result of the play, but that chip was the reason Veldheers man didn't get by him.

But he's not a breakaway guy and we're just not giving him enough carries to make an impact.

 

[Jetstream Green]

I have a question. If Tate is released from his team, I would think he would have the right to sign with who he wants because even though there is an order of who can approach him first, does he still not have the choice of who he wants to play with and it is just a matter of who gets an opportunity to place a offer first but not necessarily the team that gets him?

 

[kerouac9]

I have a question. If Tate is released from his team, I would think he would have the right to sign with who he wants because even though there is an order of who can approach him first, does he still not have the choice of who he wants to play with and it is just a matter of who gets an opportunity to place a offer first but not necessarily the team that gets him?

For this last year (5th year), a player has to clear waivers before picking an opportunity.

 

[Reddog]

For this last year (5th year), a player has to clear waivers before picking an opportunity.

When does he clear waivers?

 

[crisper57]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 17s17 seconds ago
Vikings have claimed former Browns RB Ben Tate, per @FieldYates.

 

[Iceman]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 17s17 seconds ago
Vikings have claimed former Browns RB Ben Tate, per @FieldYates.

Just saw that. So strange for the vikes to sign him. McKinnon and asaita have been good