Three Weeks Until Training Camp

[PatFanCraig]

I would like to watch a practice or 2. I really want to see how much quicker in his breaks/cuts/footwork Kenbrell is. Heard he is getting freaky explosive from his ridiculous long intense high tech workouts. Would like to see it. I'm hoping he is a top 10WR this year. Also would like to see Dobson.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

 

[mgteich]

We were asked what we expected to happen before camp. I think that it is reasonable to believe that nothing significant will get done before camp. Significant veterans signings are rarely completed in the 3 weeks before camp, although they certainly could happen.

I vote for signing Keller because that is what my heart says we should do. However, I have no confidence that we will do anything until mid-Augustor even later.

Why would anybody vote stand pat?

 

[supafly]

I really want to see how much quicker in his breaks/cuts/footwork Kenbrell is. I'm hoping he is a top 10WR this year.

I think you should be hoping that 1) he makes the team and 2) he isn't inactive for the majority of games.

Obviously, injuries will help his cause such as the current situation with Dobson due to Thompkins' ability to play both the X and the Z so he'll likely make the team, but once Dobson returns (hopefully soon), it will be very difficult not to imagine Thompkins as a gameday inactive. If Josh Boyce is going to be returning kickoffs at all, Thompkins is even more screwed.

His best bet at seeing the field is actually to hope that Dobson starts the season on PUP.

 

[supafly]

I vote for signing Keller because that is what my heart says we should do. However, I have no confidence that we will do anything until mid-Augustor even later.

I think the injury situation with Keller must be a major concern still, because I would imagine that Belichick would appreciate the benefit of having him here for training camp. Of course that's still another week away, but it's not looking good.

Let's hope that Hooman attended the Tony Gonzalez summer camp for receiving tight ends this year, and that he can double his production this season from one good game from Welker to two good games from Welker

 

[PatFanCraig]

Fly you could very well be right. But I think it would be a mistake. If you watch the practices I think you will see Kenbrell explosive movement skills. He is training 12 hrs a day to become a better athlete and improve his hands and catching radius. By training camp he should be the fastest WR on the team. I just don't know how they could leave a player who works that hard inactive. The guy is training like he is in camp for the Olympics. I never hear of a WR running 100 full length routes and gauntlets a day. And that scratches the surface. He impressed sports reporters everywhere last preseason with his quickness in cuts and breaks. I could imagine how he looks this preseason

 

[Deus Irae]

I would like to watch a practice or 2. I really want to see how much quicker in his breaks/cuts/footwork Kenbrell is. Heard he is getting freaky explosive from his ridiculous long intense high tech workouts. Would like to see it. I'm hoping he is a top 10WR this year. Also would like to see Dobson.

 

[Marqui]

He is training 12 hrs a day to become a better athlete and improve his hands and catching radius. By training camp he should be the fastest WR on the team. I just don't know how they could leave a player who works that hard inactive. The guy is training like he is in camp for the Olympics. I never hear of a WR running 100 full length routes and gauntlets a day.

Where did you hear all that?

 

[PatFanCraig]

Dues, we just have to wait and see.

Not only is Kenbrell working that hard he is actually having fun because he knows he is getting faster/more flexible/crazy endurance. Its becoming addictive to him. He also enjoys learning new training technique like TRX Pilate/yoga exercises and stretches for flexibility and strengthening STABALIZER muscles. As well as trx stretches/exercises gymnasts and martial artists perform for to max out Core strength and flexibility. And he loves it and is having fun doing so. He is also eating for max flexibility.

He impressed many sports writers last preseason with his separation sharpness and quickness. I think this year he will look far more explosive and impressive. We should be rooting for big improvements and hope his hard work pays off.

 

[PatFanCraig]

He is shooting for quickness/explosion that can be at least comparable to Sammy Watkins. He knows he has really work hard for that.

 

[BobDigital]

I will say this about Thompkins cause it was brought up. We often talk about ceilings for players and talent. However we really don't know how good a guy can be. If Thompkins is willing to work hard enough for all we know he could be the best WR in the NFL. I am not saying he will be obviously but sometimes i think we get too hung up on measurables guys use to have and height and fitting the right profile for a position.

We do this for good reason though cause more often than not it tends to be true. However, plenty of guys have surprised that had supposedly low ceilings. I just think some people are too dismissive of Thompkins because he is seen as a guy without much natural ability in NFL terms. He could surprise us though and I would not count him out cause he is not 6'3 or ran a 4.40 at the combine. Guys can improve.

 

[varjao]

2 udfa were cut today, I don't even remember their names.

My guess is that Austin collie will get a call.

 

[BobDigital]

2 udfa were cut today, I don't even remember their names.

My guess is that Austin collie will get a call.

That is easy. Their names were "who" "what". As in

A - "who" is that UDFA WR.
B - Exactly.
A - No i am asking what is his name.
B - No "what" is the other UDFA WRs name.
A - Well why are you asking me when i wanna know the name of the JAG WRs.
B - Last month we cut "JAG WRs".

 

[supafly]

I will say this about Thompkins cause it was brought up. We often talk about ceilings for players and talent. However we really don't know how good a guy can be. If Thompkins is willing to work hard enough for all we know he could be the best WR in the NFL. I am not saying he will be obviously but sometimes i think we get too hung up on measurables guys use to have and height and fitting the right profile for a position.

We do this for good reason though cause more often than not it tends to be true. However, plenty of guys have surprised that had supposedly low ceilings. I just think some people are too dismissive of Thompkins because he is seen as a guy without much natural ability in NFL terms. He could surprise us though and I would not count him out cause he is not 6'3 or ran a 4.40 at the combine. Guys can improve.

Well written response, but most of us are somewhat dismissive of Thompkins because he had many weaknesses last year, and only caught 11 balls in the last 3 months of the season between mid-Oct and mid-Jan. To take it one step further, the high majority of those 11 catches were in one game vs DEN.
It's hard to get insanely high on a player when you see many weaknesses, and he puts up numbers like that. While many like myself are openly apprehensive of Kenbrell Thompkins, there are many others who are severely overrating his 2013 campaign just the same.

For the record, no one is dismissing him due to his 40 yard dash time, that's for sure. While he ran a 4.54 on his combine day, some have reported times in the 4.4 range in other settings. No one is worried about his speed. It's more about double clutching the ball on the majority of his catches, running poorly rounded routes that are FAR from being considered "sharp" and precise, and having problems consistently getting open vs man coverage. The most concerning trait for me is the fact that he totally vanished into thin air after the 6th (or so) game, obviously proving that he did not have Brady's trust.

Hopefully that can be improved upon, but he's pretty low on the depth chart with Edelman, Amendola, Dobson, LaFell, and even Boyce (if he's returning KOs and active). That is why many of us are having a hard time imagining some great year unless injuries occur.

 

[supafly]

2 udfa were cut today, I don't even remember their names.

My guess is that Austin collie will get a call.

We have 9 current WRs heading into training camp. Anything is possible, and maybe a guy like Collie does get a call, but I'd lean towards him being on the emergency speed dial during the season, rather than making him go through the long hours in the heat of training camp. Unless we incur a couple of significant injuries, a guy like Collie wouldn't have much chance of making the roster in my opinion.

 

[Brady6]

I will say this about Thompkins cause it was brought up. We often talk about ceilings for players and talent. However we really don't know how good a guy can be. If Thompkins is willing to work hard enough for all we know he could be the best WR in the NFL. I am not saying he will be obviously but sometimes i think we get too hung up on measurables guys use to have and height and fitting the right profile for a position.

We do this for good reason though cause more often than not it tends to be true. However, plenty of guys have surprised that had supposedly low ceilings. I just think some people are too dismissive of Thompkins because he is seen as a guy without much natural ability in NFL terms. He could surprise us though and I would not count him out cause he is not 6'3 or ran a 4.40 at the combine. Guys can improve.

Thompkins weakness was his strength, which is what he reportedly improved on this offseason. Personally, I am torn on Thompkins, I do not think he is going to be the player many think he can be, I think he is a nice story, sort of the anti-Hernandez and that is what people like so much about him. Talent wise he is an average NFL talent by WR standards and his hands are not very good. I hope he proves me wrong but right now, he screams Justin Francis, Sterling Moore.

 

[PatFanCraig]

Well written response, but most of us are somewhat dismissive of Thompkins because he had many weaknesses last year, and only caught 11 balls in the last 3 months of the season between mid-Oct and mid-Jan. To take it one step further, the high majority of those 11 catches were in one game vs DEN.
It's hard to get insanely high on a player when you see many weaknesses, and he puts up numbers like that. While many like myself are openly apprehensive of Kenbrell Thompkins, there are many others who are severely overrating his 2013 campaign just the same.

For the record, no one is dismissing him due to his 40 yard dash time, that's for sure. While he ran a 4.54 on his combine day, some have reported times in the 4.4 range in other settings. No one is worried about his speed. It's more about double clutching the ball on the majority of his catches, running poorly rounded routes that are FAR from being considered "sharp" and precise, and having problems consistently getting open vs man coverage. The most concerning trait for me is the fact that he totally vanished into thin air after the 6th (or so) game, obviously proving that he did not have Brady's trust.

Hopefully that can be improved upon, but he's pretty low on the depth chart with Edelman, Amendola, Dobson, LaFell, and even Boyce (if he's returning KOs and active). That is why many of us are having a hard time imagining some great year unless injuries occur.

Yes Kenbrell did make some rookie mistakes. He came from a program where he didn't get proper coaching on technique among other things. If you watch his one TD you can see he already plays above 4.54 speed. On a catch and go he weaved through 3/4 tacklers with burst and cuts like they were statues. He does show sloppy routes at times and rounds off. But other times he has such sharp cuts and burst reminiscent of a young chad johnson. One thing he is working extensively on is sharp explosive footwork in tight areas. His cousin was blown away at his progress. Who also has become a dynamic WR through similar hard work to max his talent.

His late season exile was more due to injury and rookie inexperience/mistakes. Bill can be a little to freaky on do your job and being flawlessly assignment sound. When you would rather play physical liabilities like Andre carter/Austin collie over young stud talent over a couple mistakes, that can be detrimental to the team in the end. Collie/carter aren't helping you win a championship when it comes time to play the Seattle's/SFs and Broncos of the NFL. That assignment sound smoke and mirrors you use with technically sound washed up has beens only gets you so far til the cream puff teams diseappear at playoff time. To win a Superbowl at some point you need the impact play we got from Laws and Mcginnest's

Young players like Dobson/Buchanan/Collins/Kenbrell may make a couple mistakes but they make up for them with impact plays as they improve. Besides the young guys will get better mentally/physically/technique and position craft with reps. Which means the team is better going into the playoffs than it was week one or last season. Has beens or mediocre talent won't. Your getting the same old results. They have hit their limited ceiling and that's the ballgame.

 

[PatFanCraig]

So most of us are dismissing that he is basically in Olympic camp improving his hands/ability 8/12 hours a day. Making becoming an elite athlete a full time job putting in 8-12 hours a day doing modern advanced training routines. Most players are working to get in NFL ready condition. Kenbrell is making GSPs training camp look like a vacation. Nobody thinks that will mean significant improvements. Antonio Brown his cousin credits similar intense workouts to his breakout.

 

[Deus Irae]

Dues, we just have to wait and see.

Not only is Kenbrell working that hard he is actually having fun because he knows he is getting faster/more flexible/crazy endurance. Its becoming addictive to him. He also enjoys learning new training technique like TRX Pilate/yoga exercises and stretches for flexibility and strengthening STABALIZER muscles. As well as trx stretches/exercises gymnasts and martial artists perform for to max out Core strength and flexibility. And he loves it and is having fun doing so. He is also eating for max flexibility.

He impressed many sports writers last preseason with his separation sharpness and quickness. I think this year he will look far more explosive and impressive. We should be rooting for big improvements and hope his hard work pays off.

Thompkins will not be a top 10 WR this year. Your posts telling us about how hard he's trying, and how he's really stretching well this year, are not going to change that.

 

[PatsGuy]

I hope to get to camp at least once, but I'll be out of the country for most of it. Counting on all of you to give such vivid reports that it feels like being there!

Wifi is a great concept. Even 5 years ago any news came from the Herald Tribune!