Safety Brandon Meriweather isn’t the only recognizable name to be a former Patriots. Also gone is receiver Brandon Tate.
A league source tells us that the Pats have waived Tate.
Tate was selected by the Patriots in the third round of the 2009 draft, after missing all of the prior season with a torn ACL.
Appearing in 16 games with 10 starts in 2010, Tate caught 24 passes for 432 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns -- a skill that coach Bill Belichick possibly decided that he no longer needs given the movement of the kickoff point from the 30 to the 35.
Meanwhile, linebacker Brandon Spikes and defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick are hoping that Belichick hasn’t developed a negative association with their first names.