Preseason captains a sign for Aiken?

[farn]

Found this interesting :

Preseason captains - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

Reiss says captains for the preseason will be Brady (obv), Mayo (youngster gets love, but was an automatic choice for 53 in any case), and Aiken. Can the choice of Aiken as a preseason captain mean he is going to make the 53 or am I reading too much into it ?

 

[PatsRI]

Re: Preseason captains a sign for Aiken ?

You gotta figure unless he really screws up being a preseason captain means he's here for the long hall. With Izzo and Washington gone it would seem there are a few ST roster openings.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: Preseason captains a sign for Aiken ?

Found this interesting :

Preseason captains - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

Reiss says captains for the preseason will be Brady (obv), Mayo (youngster gets love, but was an automatic choice for 53 in any case), and Aiken. Can the choice of Aiken as a preseason captain mean he is going to make the 53 or am I reading too much into it ?

Saw that somewhere else the other day, Rapaport's blog I think, and I thought the same thing. I doubt they vote for the pre season, more likely BB assigns them.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Re: Preseason captains a sign for Aiken ?

Good find!

If I'm not mistaken, the players within the units vote for team capt and that selection is then approved by the positional coaches/coord and finally, BB.

No question that there is a tremendous amout respect for Aiken within the organization- all the way up to BB. I'm happy for him. Way to go!

 

[spacecrime]

Re: Preseason captains a sign for Aiken ?

I mentioned in another thread that Aiken has taken over Izzo's position as director in the punting unit (stands between line and punter a little to the right and controls the play making adjustments).

If he is the guy doing this during preseason games you can add him to the 53 as a lock.

It doesn't hurt that he when he does play WR he catches most of what is thrown at him. (Probably doesn't help much, either, I suppose - Hello, Bam)

 

[swheeler23]

Re: Preseason captains a sign for Aiken ?

I was looking at the preseason captains thinking they mean Brady will play in the preseason.

 

[Funktopus]

Re: Preseason captains a sign for Aiken ?

I mentioned in another thread that Aiken has taken over Izzo's position as director in the punting unit (stands between line and punter a little to the right and controls the play making adjustments).

If he is the guy doing this during preseason games you can add him to the 53 as a lock.

It doesn't hurt that he when he does play WR he catches most of what is thrown at him. (Probably doesn't help much, either, I suppose - Hello, Bam)

Man, a lot has happened over the past few weeks. if Aiken is a lock on the 53, what will the final 53 look like? Someone should start a thread.

 

[farn]

Yes... the Brady choice should mean some preseason play. Plus - he and BB are always on the same page. He wouldn't have mentionned, a few days ago, that he was hoping to play in the preseason without pretty much "knowing" he was going to...

 

[Bertil]

I noticed him at WR in Camp yesterday (which was easy, since Wes and Randy were out). He really is an "effort" guy. He's big, too. He looks like he could be that "Hines Ward" type possession guy like David Givens was.

 

[farn]

As practices come and go, it'll be easier for people to predict the 53... but it seems as though Aiken SHOULD be considered.

 

[Mack Herron]

I noticed him at WR in Camp yesterday (which was easy, since Wes and Randy were out). He really is an "effort" guy. He's big, too. He looks like he could be that "Hines Ward" type possession guy like David Givens was.

He looks the part but his history says otherwise. He has gotten 27 receptions in 6 years including only 8 last year with us. I think he should be viewed pretty much exclusively a ST player, but obviously a gifted one.

 

[Kontradiction]

He looks the part but his history says otherwise. He has gotten 27 receptions in 6 years including only 8 last year with us. I think he should be viewed pretty much exclusively a ST player, but obviously a gifted one.

Agreed. He might see some reps as a WR this year, but his vote as captain came almost exclusively because he's looking to be an extremely reliable STer.

 

[Bostonian1962]

Found this interesting :

Preseason captains - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

Reiss says captains for the preseason will be Brady (obv), Mayo (youngster gets love, but was an automatic choice for 53 in any case), and Aiken. Can the choice of Aiken as a preseason captain mean he is going to make the 53 or am I reading too much into it ?

I think nothing is definite, but it's certainly a very good sign. He seems to be a good player to me, and we all know I have an eye for talent.

 

[captain stone]

Re: Preseason captains a sign for Aiken ?

You gotta figure unless he really screws up being a preseason captain means he's here for the long hall. With Izzo and Washington gone it would seem there are a few ST roster openings.

I agree. I thought that the FO should've signed a more accomplished WR last year, however. Aiken + Slater + Ventrone meant no depth behind Moss, Welker + Gaffney. But if Galloway, Lewis, Edelman + Nunn prove capable - and worthy - of taking snaps in nickle/dime situations, or as injury substitutions, then a ST "maven" like Aiken becomes more easily affordable.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Found this interesting :

Preseason captains - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

Reiss says captains for the preseason will be Brady (obv), Mayo (youngster gets love, but was an automatic choice for 53 in any case), and Aiken. Can the choice of Aiken as a preseason captain mean he is going to make the 53 or am I reading too much into it ?

Aiken was a ST captain for the Bills. Bill Belichick imported him to replace Larry who was getting old, with a generation younger ST star. Larry held on for one last season and then was gone. Better still, Aiken can actually play some WR too. Yes, I consider him a lock. Only Ciurchiu might displace him, and he is a ST-only, player in a crowded position...

 

[Fencer]

A reliable target is not necessarily a good receiver, if he's bad at getting separation.

Perhaps that's Aiken's case -- catches what's thrown to him, but that's only useful in plays designed to leave him uncovered or in an obvious mismatch.

Has anybody broken down his receptions in a way that would dis/confirm that?

 

[signbabybrady]

I noticed him at WR in Camp yesterday (which was easy, since Wes and Randy were out). He really is an "effort" guy. He's big, too. He looks like he could be that "Hines Ward" type possession guy like David Givens was.

I think one that stands out with him especially next to Moss and Welker is that he is much more stiff (not as fluid) but he also seems thicker which IMO is why he is good on STs and prolly wont see much O. But he appears really strong for a wideout and you add his straight line speed and it is easy to see a good STer there.

 

[Lampshade]

A reliable target is not necessarily a good receiver, if he's bad at getting separation.

Perhaps that's Aiken's case -- catches what's thrown to him, but that's only useful in plays designed to leave him uncovered or in an obvious mismatch.

Has anybody broken down his receptions in a way that would dis/confirm that?

In Buffalo he always looked a big, strong, talented receiver in pre-season (he was going to be the breakout star ever year based on training camp reports), but for whatever reason tended to fight the football when given a chance in the regular season. A little like Ben Watson. He didn't appear to have that problem in his limited opportunities last year, and definitely got more time as the season went on.

IMO he's a lock, if only for his special team talents.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Obviously this recognizes his expertise as a Special Teams standout - something he's obviously proven to his new teammates...

It's not without precedent - and a damn good one at that - as Rodney Harrison was named a captain his first season with the team.

 

[patriotscpfc]

Re: Preseason captains a sign for Aiken ?

I agree. I thought that the FO should've signed a more accomplished WR last year, however. Aiken + Slater + Ventrone meant no depth behind Moss, Welker + Gaffney. But if Galloway, Lewis, Edelman + Nunn prove capable - and worthy - of taking snaps in nickle/dime situations, or as injury substitutions, then a ST "maven" like Aiken becomes more easily affordable.

Aiken done what was required.
He is a more than capable 5th WR. The 6th WR is a Special Teams guy and can also do other duties IMO.

Moss/Welker/Galloway = Top 3
Lewis = 4
Aiken = 5
Nunn/Edelman = 6

Slater and Ventrone will be on the team I reckon. Slater as a DB. Ventrone is the best Special Teamer we have and Bill values that. So, we could have 8 receiving options on the team, but scattered about.

The possible 53 has changed massively for me over the last 2 weeks, 10-15 spots changed on the basis of what i've read.