mgteich

- 2009 special teams captain
- still our #5 receiver, playing when one of the four is out (sometimes playing with the 1's)
- one of our two best coverage players (with Arrington)
- a roster lock

Sciz

Has he been playing ahead of Price?

DaBruinz

Sorry, but Aiken isn't one of the best coverage guys.. He's behind Arrington and Lockett.

Tunescribe

Here's wishing he played a different position ... Or, that one of the others would step up and challenge him.

mgteich

Yes, the open question is the status of the two injured special teamers: Lockett and Slater. Do you have Lockett making the team? Which of the following special teamers have you found room for on your roster projection?

Aiken
Arrington
Woods
Alexander
Lockett
Slater

I'm sure belichick would like to keep them all. There just isn't room.

betterthanthealternative

Doesn't being #3 make him one of our best coverage guys?

PATRIOTSFANINPA

I wish we would have been able to retain Kelly Washington from a few years ago...Kelly was never asked to perform as a WR but was a key STs ace very quickly as a Pat and in Baltimore he had shown some existing skills as a receiver as well (now in Philly) - something Aiken has not been able to do.

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jmt57

Aiken primarily makes the team or is cut due to his special teams play. Chung has often been in his place as protection for the punter. However it is possible that several other special teamers from 2009 may not make the roster: Alexander, Slater, Lockett, Woods, and Ninkovich are all on the bubble. It's possible BB may want to have some continuity and experience on special teams, which would help Aiken. Another factor in his favor is that some who were expected to contribute to special teams such as McKenzie and Cunningham have seen little or no time with those units.

As far as WR goes, Aiken has two things going for him. Torry Holt was expected to take a WR roster spot, but the went on IR. And because he had to wait for his class to graduate, Taylor Price's learning curve has been slowed down. He probably can't be counted on to contribute for much of anything other than returns this year.

There is of course the possibility that BB has seen enough from Hernandez and Gronkowski that he is comfortable going with more 2-TE formations, and he would carry one less wide receiver. If that was the case Aiken could be cut, but I doubt that will happen. Though his abilities at WR are limited, Aiken does provide some insurance with so many inexperienced receivers (and tight ends).

AzPatsFan

Belichick paid a high price to import Buffalo's special team captain after Izzo got old. You need leadership on every squad, and ST captain Aiken provides that.

Nobody but nobody produces more ST tackles than Pierre Woods, and he isn't even a gunner.

Both of these ST stars, can also contribute some on regular snaps too. What's not to like, and what's the mystery about who is kept?

Pats726

I really think Aiken will be there with the 53...they NEED an experienced ST player amongst all the youngsters. There is something important to being an ST captain...one who has experience in many situations...Izzo was great..Aiken is VERY good. Without him there would be a void..the only OTHER player that I could see doing that this year would be Alexander and he's on the bubble, if not looking closer to out. He can fill in at WR when needed and while he's NOT a 3rd... a game or two is OK with him playing more. (Not like last year when he was in a LOT at WR) Clearly Tate and Edelman are ahead of him, but as a 5th..not bad. Price will make it but more ST or inactive.
So I would be VERY surprised if he's cut.