New England Patriots: Should the Pats Cut Wide Receiver Brandon Tate?

NFL players only get a limited amount of chances to prove to coaching staffs that they're capable of being a valuable member of the team, and once they run out of chances, they simply lose their job and part ways with the team.

As we sit halfway through the preseason with roster cuts only weeks away, wide receiver Brandon Tate may be on New England's list of players to cut. 

Tate was one of New England's third-round selections in the 2009 draft and had a tremendous amount of potential. 

Coming out of North Carolina, the former Tar Heel left the college levels as the ACC's all-time leader in kickoff returns and kickoff return yardage—so their expectations were he'd be a major contributor to New England's special teams, as well as being a possible option for Tom Brady. 

Granted, Tate has been a contributor for New England as a kick returner, as he ran back two touchdowns in his 18 games as a Patriot (only played two games as a rookie) and has averaged a solid 25.8 yards per return. 

Tate's kick return numbers are definitely solid, but not good enough to hold a roster spot for those sole purposes.

Tate has struggled at receiver and is the biggest reason why he should be cut. 

Overall, Tate most definitely has the speed, ability and playmaking ability to be a solid No. 2 wide receiver, but he's just far too inconsistent. 

In 2010, Tate caught 24 passes for 432 yards—an impressive 27.0 yards per reception while reeling in three touchdowns. 

Tate's stat line may be a bit intriguing and impressive, but his numbers should have been far greater. 

On numerous occasions, Tate has almost seemed lost out there. It's unclear if he simply doesn't know the playbook or if it's a lack of focus, but bottom line—he is too inconsistent. 

Tate was shut down and held to zero receptions in four games last season for New England and was even held to one reception or less in nine of them. And to even go deeper, he was held to two receptions or less in 13 of the 16 games last season—that's simply awful. Just terrible.

If Tate was on a weak offensive team, he'd definitely be talented enough to stick around, however New England just has so much depth at wide receiver that they could get away with cutting the lost talent of Tate.

New England currently has Wes Welker, Chad Ochocinco, Deion Branch, Taylor Price, Julian Edelman and Buddy Farnham as the team's top wide receivers, along with Tate—who has been injured throughout preseason.

Price and Edelman both have shown signs of improvement. Both have the potential to be a quality receiver in the league and could easily take on the role that Tate held last season—New England's wide receiver coming off of the bench.

It's kind of fishy to see Tate not playing at all throughout the entire preseason, as ESPN Boston has reported that the injury is undisclosed.

It may be Tate's second year with a significant role, as he spent most of his rookie season hurt, but it's time to move on without him, as there are several other players more deserving of a roster spot.

Don't get me wrong—if there is room for Tate, then New England should consider holding on, but the Patriots will be carrying three quarterbacks this year, multiple running backs that will see major playing time and will need to add more defensive linemen due to their 4-3 defensive alignment; so finding a spot for Tate is somewhat of a struggle.

The time may have come for Tate, as the Patriots could come to the conclusion that he's simply not going to work out as a Patriot.

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