cowboyjoe
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 28,433
- Reaction score
- 753
Tate shows skills at NFL combine
Former Snow Hill star tries out for the big time in Indy
By Aaron Kraut • March 4, 2010
Post a Comment RecommendPrint this pageE-mail this articleShare
Del.icio.usFacebookDiggRedditNewsvineBuzz up!TwitterSALISBURY -- Stan Griffin, the former football coach at Snow Hill High School, remembered back to Ben Tate's first game with the Eagles in 2005.
Tate, who went on to play running back at Auburn University, took a toss to the right and headed toward the sideline, stopped, scurried all the way to the other sideline, ran 20 yards upfield, crossed back again and scored. It was an approximately 50-yard touchdown run during which Tate "probably ran 100," Griffin joked.
On Feb. 28, Tate wasn't evading tacklers or reversing field like he did when he ran for 2,069 yards and 21 touchdowns in leading Snow Hill to the 2005 MPSSAA 1A state title game. He was at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, showing his skills in drills such as the 40-yard dash and 225-pound bench press.
But Tate's goal was the same as during his many long high school runs -- show that he's got the speed and agility to go along with his well-known bruising, physical style.
"I'm definitely looking at the combine to do that," Tate said before the events, in which he ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, good for third best among running backs. "I think my [NFL draft] range is anywhere from the second to fourth round. If I have a good outing at the combine, I can definitely better that."
Tate ran for 1,362 yards and 10 touchdowns last fall during his senior year with the Tigers in the talented and deep SEC. He had runs of 53 and 60 yards, showing the type of explosiveness many still feel the 5-foot-11, 218-pound back doesn't have.
"I think there's a misconception that he's just a power back," Griffin said. "I believe he is going to show his speed. People don't realize the type of speed that he has."
Tate trained in Miami leading up to the combine, and NFL.com draft analyst Gil Brandt said Maryland's high school career rushing record holder likely will be selected in the fourth round in April's draft.
"Besides being a pretty good running back, he's a pretty good-size guy," Brandt said. "He didn't have a very good team two years ago, but he played a lot better in his last year. He's a good receiver, and he runs well."
Tate hopes that aspect of his game shines through. In the meantime, he's started his own Facebook fan page in an effort to give his supporters a behind-the-scenes look at the draft process, which includes the type of strict workout routines Griffin came to expect when Tate transferred to Snow Hill from Stephen Decatur High School before his senior year.
"He's a really good person, and he's excellent at doing workouts," Griffin said. "He's a real hard worker."
Tate is also just trying to enjoy the experience, no matter how fast it -- or he -- goes.
"It's been a little hectic, but at the same time, it's been fun," Tate said. "It's like a dream coming true."
Former Snow Hill star tries out for the big time in Indy
By Aaron Kraut • March 4, 2010
Post a Comment RecommendPrint this pageE-mail this articleShare
Del.icio.usFacebookDiggRedditNewsvineBuzz up!TwitterSALISBURY -- Stan Griffin, the former football coach at Snow Hill High School, remembered back to Ben Tate's first game with the Eagles in 2005.
Tate, who went on to play running back at Auburn University, took a toss to the right and headed toward the sideline, stopped, scurried all the way to the other sideline, ran 20 yards upfield, crossed back again and scored. It was an approximately 50-yard touchdown run during which Tate "probably ran 100," Griffin joked.
On Feb. 28, Tate wasn't evading tacklers or reversing field like he did when he ran for 2,069 yards and 21 touchdowns in leading Snow Hill to the 2005 MPSSAA 1A state title game. He was at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, showing his skills in drills such as the 40-yard dash and 225-pound bench press.
But Tate's goal was the same as during his many long high school runs -- show that he's got the speed and agility to go along with his well-known bruising, physical style.
"I'm definitely looking at the combine to do that," Tate said before the events, in which he ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, good for third best among running backs. "I think my [NFL draft] range is anywhere from the second to fourth round. If I have a good outing at the combine, I can definitely better that."
Tate ran for 1,362 yards and 10 touchdowns last fall during his senior year with the Tigers in the talented and deep SEC. He had runs of 53 and 60 yards, showing the type of explosiveness many still feel the 5-foot-11, 218-pound back doesn't have.
"I think there's a misconception that he's just a power back," Griffin said. "I believe he is going to show his speed. People don't realize the type of speed that he has."
Tate trained in Miami leading up to the combine, and NFL.com draft analyst Gil Brandt said Maryland's high school career rushing record holder likely will be selected in the fourth round in April's draft.
"Besides being a pretty good running back, he's a pretty good-size guy," Brandt said. "He didn't have a very good team two years ago, but he played a lot better in his last year. He's a good receiver, and he runs well."
Tate hopes that aspect of his game shines through. In the meantime, he's started his own Facebook fan page in an effort to give his supporters a behind-the-scenes look at the draft process, which includes the type of strict workout routines Griffin came to expect when Tate transferred to Snow Hill from Stephen Decatur High School before his senior year.
"He's a really good person, and he's excellent at doing workouts," Griffin said. "He's a real hard worker."
Tate is also just trying to enjoy the experience, no matter how fast it -- or he -- goes.
"It's been a little hectic, but at the same time, it's been fun," Tate said. "It's like a dream coming true."