Patriots Passing camp starts tomorrow

[MoLewisrocks]

Thanks. When I heard that, I wondered if that included the rookies.

The rookies had their 4 day mini camp in early May, then they were sent home and reported back on the 15th for the off season program and this week's passing camp. At least that is the case according to PFW and SMY on quick google.

 

[Lampshade]

I've always been peculiarly intrigued by Sam Aiken.

He's a fabulous ST guy, and while the prevailing thought is that ST is the only reason he's here, I have a feeling that he has the ability to be a little more. I don't expect him to supplant Gaffney or anything, but I suspect he'll work his way into getting more offensive snaps than Kelley Washington.

 

[bradmahn]

I've always been peculiarly intrigued by Sam Aiken.

He's a fabulous ST guy, and while the prevailing thought is that ST is the only reason he's here, I have a feeling that he has the ability to be a little more. I don't expect him to supplant Gaffney or anything, but I suspect he'll work his way into getting more offensive snaps than Kelley Washington.

Sam Aiken? He of 19 career receptions fame?

Personally, I think Aiken's got a long way to go to earn a roster spot - let alone challenge for offensive playing time. If he does improbably show an ability to play receiver that would obviously help him in that regard, but I don't think he will.

That's the good thing about preseason, though, I have no idea, so don't let that dissuade you.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Sam Aiken? He of 19 career receptions fame?

Personally, I think Aiken's got a long way to go to earn a roster spot - let alone challenge for offensive playing time. If he does improbably show an ability to play receiver that would obviously help him in that regard, but I don't think he will.

That's the good thing about preseason, though, I have no idea, so don't let that dissuade you.

It is all part of the master plan to embarrass the rest of the AFC East. Look to see the former Bill lead the league in total receiving yards just like the former Dolphin led the league in total receptions upon arriving in NE.

 

[IcyPatriot]

With Donte gone ...Jackson or Washington ... which gets a bigger role in the
passing game this year?

With his newfound strength I am way intrigues by Washington ... he may not be the most talented but his athletic ability needs to be utilized and I think it will be ... advantage Kelly.

 

[Lampshade]

Sam Aiken? He of 19 career receptions fame?

Personally, I think Aiken's got a long way to go to earn a roster spot - let alone challenge for offensive playing time. If he does improbably show an ability to play receiver that would obviously help him in that regard, but I don't think he will.

That's the good thing about preseason, though, I have no idea, so don't let that dissuade you.

I did say it was peculiar!

It's a long-standing fascination though (I think since his rookie year), based on not much more than special teams, and a couple of great plays in pre-season games. I'm sure everyone has a player or two from around the league that they always figured is just an opportunity away from big things.

Honestly, I think people are underrating how good a ST guy Aiken is; he is Kelley Washington good. I'd be shocked if he isn't kept around if only for ST.

 

[Pats726]

The rookies had their 4 day mini camp in early May, then they were sent home and reported back on the 15th for the off season program and this week's passing camp. At least that is the case according to PFW and SMY on quick google.

I always thought that rooks were not included in passing camps and that there was an NFL rule that left about 4-5 weeks till they could be included in activities; team mini camp.

 

[Patjew]

With his newfound strength I am way intrigues by Washington ... he may not be the most talented but his athletic ability needs to be utilized and I think it will be ... advantage Kelly.

What do you mean by that? Has he literally become stronger from working out?

Sincere question.

 

[BelichickFan]

With his newfound strength I am way intrigues by Washington

What do you mean by that? Has he literally become stronger from working out?

I am clueless on this too - am I unaware of something with Washington ?

 

[IcyPatriot]

What do you mean by that? Has he literally become stronger from working out?

Sincere question.

Word is he added 10 pounds of muscle last year ... so I guess so ...

 

[Patjew]

Word is he added 10 pounds of muscle last year ... so I guess so ...

Cool. If he doesn't lose any speed, that could be helpful. He'll look like a young Patjew out there.

I do really like Washington. Seems to have a great attitude.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I did say it was peculiar!

It's a long-standing fascination though (I think since his rookie year), based on not much more than special teams, and a couple of great plays in pre-season games. I'm sure everyone has a player or two from around the league that they always figured is just an opportunity away from big things.

Honestly, I think people are underrating how good a ST guy Aiken is; he is Kelley Washington good. I'd be shocked if he isn't kept around if only for ST.

Not to be facetious, but then, depending on how you count things, the Pats would have either two or three ST-only WRs (three if you count Slater as a WR).

 

[Lampshade]

Not to be facetious, but then, depending on how you count things, the Pats would have either two or three ST-only WRs (three if you count Slater as a WR).

There will still be Moss, Gaffney, Welker, Jackson; a decision to keep Aiken won't be keeping another NFL calibre receiver off the roster.

I think when it comes to ST whether an extra WR or an extra safety is kept is irrelevant if neither sees the field apart from on ST. It's bookkeeping more than anything else. In an ideal world none of Washington, Aiken, Ventrone, Andrews, Izzo, etc, would ever see the field outside of ST.

Going into the playoffs last year there were 7 receivers on the roster, so 6 certainly isn't out of the realm of possibility; especially if two of them are key ST guys as I expect them to be.

As for Slater, it's tough to project anything at this point.

 

[swheeler23]

any news out of passing camp ?

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I always thought that rooks were not included in passing camps and that there was an NFL rule that left about 4-5 weeks till they could be included in activities; team mini camp.

Florio mentioned it this AM. The rule which is somewhat archaic is that rookies can only attend one mini camp before their school finishes exams. Apparently the rookies most impacted are those from schools like OSU who do not wrap up exams until June. But it's a player by player thing and apparently all of our selections must be from schools that wrapped up exams by mid May (as do most schools). It's a silly rule since most of them haven't seen a campus since December as they prepped for the NFL Draft.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Key matchup; Can O'Donnell unseat Cassell for the job of carrying the clipboard?

 

[PatsFan37]

With his newfound strength I am way intrigues by Washington ... he may not be the most talented but his athletic ability needs to be utilized and I think it will be ... advantage Kelly.

If this is true, I'm excited to see what he'll bring. With his unselfish play on special teams, his agility and speed and what I saw of his hands in pre-season, he could really stand out.

OTOH, Jackson has always been one of the strongest receivers and he has unquestioned speed. He lacks Washington's experience and probably the maturity and professionalism, and we'll have to see how well he's recovered. This will be one of the biggest camp battles and it wouldn't surprise me to see one of them overtake Gaffney, maybe not by the start of the season, but by the end.

 

[BelichickFan]

any news out of passing camp ?

No media access until Tuesday so I wouldn't expect anything unless patriots.com has something.

 

[Tunescribe]

My guess is Brady, Gutierrez, O'Connell with Cassel being traded for a sixth round pick or something like that.

I think Gutierrez is odd-man out. Cassel has at least a little experience and much more familiarity with the offense, so I think he remains No. 2. I can't imagine the Pats going into the season with what essentially would be two rookies backing up Brady. I find it curious that the Pats haven't been interested in a veteran backup for Tom, with a promising developmental guy at No. 3.

Anyone know if Gutierrez remains eligible for the practice squad?

 

[MoLewisrocks]

It would appear he does not.

Section 4. Eligibility:
(a) The practice squad shall consist of the following players, provided that they have not served more than two previous seasons on a Practice Squad: (i) players who do not have an Accrued Season of NFL experience; and (ii) free agent players who were on the Active List for fewer than nine regular season games during their only Accrued Season(s). An otherwise eligible player may be a practice squad player for a third season only if the Club by which he is employed that season has at least 53 players on its Active/Inactive List
during the entire period of his employment.
(b) A player shall be deemed to have served on a Practice Squad in a season if he has passed the club’s physical and been a member of the club’s Practice Squad for at least three regular season or postseason games during his first two Practice Squad seasons, and for at least one regular season or postseason game during his third Practice Squad season. (A bye week counts as a game provided that the player is not terminated until after the regular season or postseason weekend in question.)