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During his conference call with the media Friday, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked who might handle kickoff returns when New England travels to Miami for opening night on Sept. 12. It was somewhat telling in his response that Belichick didn't mention Brandon Tate, the third-year wide receiver who almost exclusively owned kick return duties last season.

"Well, we have a number of guys that have done it on this team, so I’m sure it will be somebody from that group," said Belichick. "We just have to figure out how it all fits together in terms of our gameday roster and how we want to break those responsibilities up -- not only who can do it, but how to divide the responsibilities up for the game so that we give everybody, hopefully, a good role and try not to overload any one individual with too much stuff. So we try to find that balance and still get good people or get our best people out there, hopefully, doing what they do well."

Not only did Tate serve as New England's No. 3 receiver last season, he handled 41 of New England's 56 kickoff returns, averaging 25.8 yards per return (sixth best in the NFL), taking two back for touchdowns in the opening weeks of the season. The job was almost solely his, with wedge blockers Sammy Morris, Dan Connolly, and Alge Crumpler fielding 13 of New England's other 15 kickoff returns (Dane Fletcher and BenJarvus Green-Ellis falling on two others).

Now, with the Patriots preparing for a final cutdown, Tate faces the very real possibility of being the odd-man out at wide receiver, particularly given his lackluster special team efforts since a red hot start last year.

After returning 18 kicks for 601 yards (33.4 yards per return) and two touchdowns over the first four weeks of the 2010 season, Tate returned 28 kicks for 564 yards (20.1 yards per return) in 12 games after. This preseason, he brought back a team-high five kickoffs for 85 yards, merely 17 yards per kick (his long of 25 failing to even match his average from last season). Tate also returned four punts for just 10 yards.

Given the changes to kickoffs this season (teams now boot five yards closer), it makes you wonder if Tate's receiver skills (3 catches, 41 yards this preseason) is enough to help him stick.

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NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. -- Spent some time with Patriots receiver Brandon Tate today at the Devin McCourty/Lawyer Milloy Sports International football camp at Merrimack College. Tate, who enters his third NFL season and is coming off a 24-catch campaign, has spent the majority of the offseason working out in Massachusetts with about 10-15 teammates.

Some soundbites and quick hits from Tate's speech and Q&A with campers:

Being part of the camp: "It feels good to come out here and interact with the kids. This is my first camp, so it's all going to be fun for me. It's good to see [everyone] out here, doing something positive."

Favorite career kickoff return: 103 yards for a touchdown vs. Miami on Oct. 4, 2010 (video here)

What he's learned in the NFL: "Just growing up and becoming a man, because you're really on your own. You have to mature. ... It's a dream come true. I'm still dreaming right now. There are still a lot of things I want to get done."

Favorite team growing up: Carolina Panthers

Thoughts on the lockout: "There isn't anything I can do about that. I can just control what I can do. Today, that's to be out here and have fun with you."

Most difficult catch: "Probably the Miami game at Gillette Stadium [Jan. 2, 2011]. The [42-yard] touchdown."

Favorite player growing up: Barry Sanders

Favorite current player: Tom Brady [laughing]

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Wide receiver Brandon Tate is in his second NFL season, but he still feels like a rookie.

“To me, I think I am, because I haven’t done anything," Tate said after Friday morning's practice, only the third training camp session in which he's participated. "I’m looking at this as my first year, my rookie year.”

Recovering from a knee injury suffered in his senior season at North Carolina, Tate missed last year's training camp and did not take the field for the Patriots until their October matchup with the Buccaneers last season. After starting the next game against the Dolphins, Tate suffered another knee injury and missed the remainder of the season.

He is healthy again and ready to contribute to the Patriots offense in practice, where at times he has been lining up across from Randy Moss, a sign of how much promise the coaching staff sees in him.

“I feel like I’ve come a long way,” Tate said. “Every day, every night, at lunch, I’m in the playbook. I’m just trying to get better.”

Fortunately for Tate, he is joined in the meeting room by an accomplished group of NFL veterans, including Randy Moss and Torry Holt. He has benefitted from their experience.

“If they see something on film that they think I could have done better, they’ll tell me,” he said.

When asked if there was any veteran in particular who has taken Tate under his wing, he said, “We’re like a family. You can go to any of the veteran guys about anything.”

In his Friday morning press conference, head coach Bill Belichick pointed out the differences he has seen in Tate since last season.

“I think Brandon would be the first to tell you that his preparation for this season is way, way ahead of where it was last year,” Belichick said. “He still has to go out there and do it. … But where he is starting now and where he started even when he came back to the team in October, it’s a big gap.”

Five quick-hit Patriots thoughts on Friday:

1) Without Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Richard Seymour, many questions have been asked about filling a leadership void on defense. This was the adversity-filled week to find out, and second-year linebacker Jerod Mayo officially declared that a big part of the torch has been passed his way with his strong remarks Thursday.

2) After playing all but two plays in a sub package against the Colts, this week's game should feature more of a return to the base 3-4 alignment against the Jets' No. 1 ranked rushing offense. The outside linebacker spot opposite Adalius Thomas will be important to watch. If Tully Canta-Cain isn't healthy enough to play, it could thrust Pierre Woods back into the lineup. Woods hasn't played on defense in the last three games.

3) The Patriots need to be more efficient in the red zone, but their 25th ranking in that area is a bit misleading when considering the Buccaneers are the NFL's top red-zone offense. Would you rather be the Buccaneers (12 TDs in 17 trips) or the Patriots (18 TDs in 40 trips)?

4) With Jarvis Green (knee) unlikely to play and Ty Warren with a nagging ankle injury, and with the physical Jets running game to stop, this could be the week the Patriots call on rookie Ron Brace more along the defensive line. Brace saw his first action since Week 2 when he was on the field for the final two goal-line plays Sunday in Indianapolis.

5) Nine games into the season, the Patriots have already had five different players as a primary kickoff returner because of injuries: Laurence Maroney, Julian Edelman, Kevin Faulk, Brandon Tate and Matthew Slater. That hasn't helped them in the field-position game. The team's average drive start is the 24.9 yard line -- 13th in the AFC and 22nd in the NFL.

The Patriots placed rookie receiver Brandon Tate (knee) on season-ending injured reserve Saturday, and promoted quarterback/receiver Isaiah Stanback from the practice squad to the active roster.

Tate, one of the team's two third-round draft choices, injured his knee in last Sunday's 27-17 win over the Dolphins. After opening the season on the non-football injury list, he was activated Oct. 24 and appeared in two games, serving as the primary kickoff returner and No. 4 receiver.

Stanback adds depth at receiver. The Patriots have Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Sam Aiken atop the depth chart, and with rookie Julian Edelman (forearm) questionable for Sunday night's game against the Colts, Stanback could provide insurance.

Stanback also provides depth at quarterback, where the Patriots have been carrying just two this season, Tom Brady and rookie Brian Hoyer.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick answered with a big grin but did not provide details when asked about the severity of the knee injury that knocked starting center Dan Koppen out of Sunday's game in the second quarter.

Belichick, who seldom discusses injuries, seemed amused when a reporter asked if he knew how seriously Koppen was injured.

"I just got off the field after the game. All that stuff, it's 24-48 hours anyway before you really know," Belichick said, smiling. "He's a quick healer. He's pretty tough."

Koppen was replaced by four-year veteran Dan Connolly, a versatile player who had previously seen time at center, guard, tight end and fullback in spot duty.

"Connolly has really done a good job for us," Belichick said. "He missed the first couple games of the year, but he's really been a solid guy who has taken a big jump this year in the offseason, training camp and preseason games. He's probably one of our most improved players, and it seems like every time he has a chance to play he does a good job. I think he's getting close to battling for some playing time."

In addition to Koppen, rookie receiver Brandon Tate left the game in the second quarter with what appeared to be a left leg injury. Tate, who did not return, was in the locker room after the game but declined comment.

New England Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio held his weekly conference call with media members, and one of the primary topics of discussion was rookie receiver Brandon Tate.

Tate, a third-round draft choice out of North Carolina, made his debut Oct. 25 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played 23 snaps and had an 11-yard run on an end-around on his first play, although he didn't finish with a reception.

A few Tate-related nuggets:

Running the wrong route: Caserio revealed that Tom Brady's second-quarter interception -- a long pass down the middle to Tate -- came on a play in which Tate ran the wrong route out of the huddle.

Experience counts: Caserio said he felt the performance was good in terms of experience for Tate, whether on offense or kickoff returns, or in specific situations such as the two-minute offense or in the red zone. "There were some good plays and some bad plays, just like everybody else," he said.

Coaching approach: Caserio was asked if Tate is learning all receiver spots, or if there has been a more narrow-minded approach with him. "It's hard for any young player to give them a large volume, so you try to start them at one particular point and let them sort of build on that and get comfortable with one thing," he said, noting that Tate is moving in the right direction in terms of eventually absorbing more.

Tate vs. Harvin: Caserio was asked if he saw Tate as being similar to Vikings first-rounder Percy Harvin. He said the similarities came in that both were good with the ball in their hands and that both had good quickness and playing speed. The differences came in their roles -- Harvin was like a de facto running back who also lined up in the slot at Florida, while Tate played on the perimeter while also seeing time in the slot at UNC.

LONDON -- The Patriots lost rookie receiver Julian Edelman to a forearm injury and cut Joey Galloway, so one of the main questions entering their game Sunday against the Buccaneers was who would fill the void as the No. 3 receiver.

The answer, it turns out, was a combination of seven-year veteran Sam Aiken and rookie Brandon Tate.

Aiken was 3a, and Tate was 3b.

Aiken's 54-yard catch-and-run touchdown in the second quarter -- when Buccaneers linebacker Barrett Ruud bounced off him, and then Aiken outraced everyone down the right side -- was a highlight of the game.

"Seems like every time we need for him to step up offensively, he's there and he delivers," coach Bill Belichick said. "Sam's one of our hardest-working guys. It's nice to see him get a chance to handle the ball."

While Aiken played the majority of snaps as the third receiver and finished with two catches for 66 yards, Tate also was in the mix. On his first play since being activated off the non-football injury list, Tate took an end-around 11 yards. Tate did not finish with a catch.

"He did a good job out there," fellow receiver Wes Welker said. "It's tough for a rookie, especially since he's only been out there for a week. So really, it's just coming in and understanding the system. We have a very complicated system. He'll learn as he goes. He's a good player who did a lot of good things in practice this week, and we'll just have to keep bringing him along."

LONDON -- With the Patriots placing receiver Brandon Tate on their active roster Saturday, and with Tate projected to play Sunday against the Buccaneers, here are 10 things to know about him:

1) Wears jersey No. 19

2) He is 6-foot-1, 195 pounds

3) Turned 22 on October 5

4) His hometown is Burlington, North Carolina and he attended the University of North Carolina

5) Drafted in the third round, 83rd overall, by the Patriots

6) Failed a drug test as part of pre-draft testing, which might have affected his draft status

7) Sustained torn ligaments in his knee against Notre Dame as a senior in 2008 and missed the final seven games of the season

8) Holds the NCAA career record in combined kick and punt return yards (3,523)

9) He is one of only nine players in NCAA history to return a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown in the same game (vs. Duke, 2006)

10) At Cummings High School, he played guard on the basketball team and helped lead the squad to the state title as a junior

LONDON -- The Patriots have filled their two open roster spots by activating rookie receiver Brandon Tate and veteran offensive lineman Mark LeVoir.

Tate, a third-round draft choice out of the University of North Carolina, opened the season on the non-football injury list as he was still recovering from torn knee ligaments sustained during his final season with the Tar Heels.

Tate bolsters a receiving corps that has been thinned this week; Julian Edelman is out with a forearm injury and Joey Galloway was released. Tate also should be a factor in the return game.

LeVoir opened the season on the physically unable to perform list with a shoulder injury. With starting left tackle Matt Light out with a right knee injury, LeVoir adds depth.

Rookie Sebastian Vollmer started last week at left tackle. LeVoir projects as the swing tackle -- the top backup -- as he eases his way back into action.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Talking before Wednesday's practice, his first full-pad session with the New England Patriots since returning to the practice field, rookie wide receiver Brandon Tate spoke of needing to keep his emotions in check.

Packing his travel bags for London on Thursday afternoon, Tate admitted it was difficult to do once he received word he would be part of the team traveling to Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

"Man, I'm real excited. Real, real excited," Tate said. "I'm trying to stay focused on football, not let myself get too excited. I've been doing pretty good, staying focused and knowing my assignments."

Tate admitted he's a different type of sore after back-to-back days of full-pad sessions, his first real football activity in over a year since tearing both his MCL and ACL during his senior season at the University of North Carolina.

"It's good, getting back in the mix of football," Tate said. "It's taking some time, but I'm getting it. I'm going to watch the film, see what I did right and wrong, and just try to correct it. Keep getting better."

Tate did divulge that he's worked on both kick and punt returns in practice, something that would seem to add value to activating the third-round draft pick (83rd overall) if the coaching staff deems him healthy enough to come off the non-football injury list this week.

The team has up to three weeks to make that decision, but with rookie Julian Edelman sidelined with a forearm injury and the release of Joey Galloway earlier this week, there appears to be a need to add at least one receiver to the active roster.

Other candidates include first-year player Terrence Nunn, currently on the practice squad. He said it's been a solid week of practice and that he hasn't put any more pressure on himself than in past weeks.

Practice squad quarterback Isaiah Stanback was noncommittal when asked how his potential transition back to wide receiver was going. Stanback caught passes with the receiving corps during the portion of practice open to the media Thursday, suggesting he could be in the mix to join them.

Stanback appeared in eight games as a wide receiver for the Cowboys in 2008, catching two passes for 24 yards. He also has wide receiver experience at the college level.

"I've been on scout teams since I've been here," said Stanback, suggesting it might not be too abnormal for him to work with receivers. When pressed about whom he's worked as during scout work this week, Stanback would only say he's been rotating between players.

Asked what his role could be this weekend, he smiled and said "Whatever Coach says."

Tate summed it up for all three players.

"They told us to just prepare for whatever," he said. "You never know. They might call your number or they might not. When you go to the game, you just have to be ready for whatever."

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Patriots were already a bit thin at wide receiver before Tuesday, when the team parted ways with veteran Joey Galloway and reports surfaced that rookie Julian Edelman will be sidelined with a broken arm sustained in Sunday's win over the Titans.

Suddenly, rookie Brandon Tate, eligible to come off the non-football injury list this week, and practice squad player Terrence Nunn are potential third or fourth receivers for the Patriots moving forward.

Tate, who played at the University of North Carolina, tore his ACL and MCL during his senior season with the Tar Heels. He was grabbed by the Patriots in the third round (83rd overall) in this year's draft and now faces lofty expectations for someone who returned to practice only Tuesday.

"We'll see. They say I got three weeks of practice, so we'll see what happens," Tate said. "I'm real happy [with my health]; I feel comfortable. I have the strength back in the knee after the injury. I'm ready to go."

Tate also is a return specialist who could help fill Edelman's void on kickoffs and punts. He is the NCAA career leader in combined kick-return yards with 3,523.

Could he be ready if called upon Sunday in London?

"If they give me the call, yeah," Tate said with a laugh. "I'll be ready. But first we'll see what happens today."

Directly across the locker room, Nunn found himself fielding similar questions. Coach Bill Belichick had noted in his news conference earlier that he reminds all practice squad players to be ready for game action each week.

Nunn said he hasn't been told whether he'll be traveling to London, but, like Tate, he's ready to step in if called upon.

"I just know I gotta keep working hard," Nunn said. "I'm going out there every day and trying to know what to do when the opportunity comes upon me. I know the plays. I know whenever I have the chance, I have to know what I'm doing."

Nunn went undrafted out of the University of Nebraska in 2008. He sat out all of last season before the Patriots signed him on May 11 of this year. He caught eight passes for 133 yards in the preseason and impressed throughout training camp.

Asked how he felt to make the practice squad at the start of the season, Nunn said: "I was actually very excited. From not being anywhere a year ago, I was just excited to have an opportunity.''

Both players said they've been leaning on veterans Randy Moss and Wes Welker to guide them. On Sunday, they could be lining up next to them.

Regardless of their lack of NFL experience, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is excited to see what both first-year players can do.

"I have confidence in all of our receivers. If you're on the roster and you have an opportunity to play, I have confidence," Brady said. "All of those guys have worked very hard, certainly with Wes and Randy. I don't have to worry about much with them. But Brandon is going to be out there, hopefully, and Terrence is going to be out there ... to see how they can go out there and perform. And hopefully they can go and do a good job."

Tate knows one key for him is earning Brady's trust and developing a chemistry, something Galloway failed to do in his short time in New England.

"It's a perfect situation," Tate said, noting the Patriots' need for receivers as he is eligible to return. "I already know the [system]; I just have to earn the coaches' trust and Tom's trust."

Tate admitted it's been frustrating at times, particularly when he's been relegated to watching film or working out in the weight room with no chance of suiting up on Sunday.

"The coaches, all they have to go on me is my college film. I gotta show them I still got it," Tate said. "It feels like it's been two-three years [that I've been away from football]. It's only been a year, but I've been working out for this -- upper body, lower body -- just getting ready to play football."