Okay, I'll say it: Sam Aiken is makin' this team

[patsox23]

This is, of course, just me being my old occasionally hyperbolic self, but I actually think he's going to crack the 53. And it's all based on one answer from Belichick:

"Sam is one of our early signings. He was with us through the entire off-season program and of course training camp he has performed well all the way through. He has gotten off to a good start here in training camp. He did a good job in the spring. He had a real good off-season program. He worked hard in the passing camps and he showed up very positive here in training camp both as a receiver and in the kicking game. He is a big guy and strong - very strong for his position.

"He is tough, very professional and works hard at his job. Football is important to him. He is on top of things. If he makes a mistake, he really works hard to correct it and make sure he has it right the next time. I like his attitude, I like his work ethic and I like his versatility. He has done a good job. We have a long way to go but to this point he’s been here since the first day of the off-season program and here we are at the end of July and he’s been very consistent for us. I think he is a good addition to our team."

The few biggest sentences there for me:

1) "Football is important to him" (duh).

2) "I like his attitude...his work ethic and....his versatility."

3) "here we are at the end of July and he's been very consistent for us" - there are few more valuable things to Bill Belichick than consistency, dependability.

Add those to the fact that we were so keen on, and early in, signing him, and I'd say he's one of the darkest horse "LOCKS" on this team. Again, I'm being hyperbolic, but that's my prediction.

 

[Lampshade]

I've had him as a lock since the second he signed, if only as a core special teams player. People seem to underrate how good of a ST player he has been; he is Kelley Washington good.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I'm saying definite practice squadder. Not sure about on the 53 man roster

 

[cstjohn17]

I'm saying definite practice squadder. Not sure about on the 53 man roster

Pretty sure he is not elligible for the PS.

PatSox23 damn you to hell, don't jinx my binkie!

 

[patsox23]

I believe he's not eligible for the practice squad.

 

[patsox23]

PatSox23 damn you to hell, don't jinx my binkie!

Not to worry, cstjohn. He. Is. A. LOCK.

 

[RayClay]

Certainly a veteran with that attitude is going to be hard to beat. Love the competition on teams this year.

Maybe that thing that everyone says will happen every year will...(you have to guess).

 

[Bostonian1962]

This is, of course, just me being my old occasionally hyperbolic self, but I actually think he's going to crack the 53. And it's all based on one answer from Belichick:

"Sam is one of our early signings. He was with us through the entire off-season program and of course training camp he has performed well all the way through. He has gotten off to a good start here in training camp. He did a good job in the spring. He had a real good off-season program. He worked hard in the passing camps and he showed up very positive here in training camp both as a receiver and in the kicking game. He is a big guy and strong - very strong for his position.

"He is tough, very professional and works hard at his job. Football is important to him. He is on top of things. If he makes a mistake, he really works hard to correct it and make sure he has it right the next time. I like his attitude, I like his work ethic and I like his versatility. He has done a good job. We have a long way to go but to this point he’s been here since the first day of the off-season program and here we are at the end of July and he’s been very consistent for us. I think he is a good addition to our team."

The few biggest sentences there for me:

1) "Football is important to him" (duh).

2) "I like his attitude...his work ethic and....his versatility."

3) "here we are at the end of July and he's been very consistent for us" - there are few more valuable things to Bill Belichick than consistency, dependability.

Add those to the fact that we were so keen on, and early in, signing him, and I'd say he's one of the darkest horse "LOCKS" on this team. Again, I'm being hyperbolic, but that's my prediction.

You could be right. That's some nice praise. It's very interesting how the Bill Bellichick of 2008 training camp is praising so many players so much. Aiken. Gaffney. Guyton. A few others whom I can't remember at almost 10 PM, but this begs the question: Is this a kinder and gentler head coach?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I'm saying definite practice squadder. Not sure about on the 53 man roster

He's not eligible Biggie.

Indicators I've read which haven't come from BB: reports they've been moving him around in various ST's roles, including roles normally locked down by Izzo; and Brady & the QBs apparently liking him in red zone work with some nice completions in the back of the end zone.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

guess i should have researched. I'm voting he makes the team.

 

[cstjohn17]

Not to worry, cstjohn. He. Is. A. LOCK.

Oh my god, please don't add "STONE COLD LEAD LOCK". That usually means the guy will retire the next day.

 

[RayClay]

He's not eligible Biggie.

Indicators I've read which haven't come from BB: reports they've been moving him around in various ST's roles, including roles normally locked down by Izzo; and Brady & the QBs apparently liking him in red zone work with some nice completions in the back of the end zone.

Yeah that thing (see previous cliffhanger).

 

[Rob0729]

I would like to see Aiken make it, but he is facing a tough numbers game. He obviously will make this roster (assuming he does) based primarily on his special teams ability because I doubt the Pats want to carry six WRs unless the sixth guy is more of a special teams specialist. The question is whether he can knock a guy like Izzo from his roster spot.

I can see it going either way. I think if he is cut, it will be a tough decision for the coaching staff. But unfortunately for Aiken, he plays a position where the Pats are fairly stacked. It will hurt him if it comes down between his with another special teamer who is close to him in special teams contributions, but plays a position where depth may be a concern. A LBer or CB would have an advantage in this scenario.

With guys who are pure special teamers which Akien would most likely be, a roster spot is never a given. He is at least starting to make some waves that will help his chances.

Another thing going his way is that the Pats rarely give multiyear deals to veterans and cut them before they play a down. The fact that the Pats liked him enough to give him a two year commitment rather than just the one definitely works in his favor.

 

[Brady to Brown]

This is, of course, just me being my old occasionally hyperbolic self, but I actually think he's going to crack the 53. And it's all based on one answer from Belichick:

"Sam is one of our early signings. He was with us through the entire off-season program and of course training camp he has performed well all the way through. He has gotten off to a good start here in training camp. He did a good job in the spring. He had a real good off-season program. He worked hard in the passing camps and he showed up very positive here in training camp both as a receiver and in the kicking game. He is a big guy and strong - very strong for his position.

"He is tough, very professional and works hard at his job. Football is important to him. He is on top of things. If he makes a mistake, he really works hard to correct it and make sure he has it right the next time. I like his attitude, I like his work ethic and I like his versatility. He has done a good job. We have a long way to go but to this point he’s been here since the first day of the off-season program and here we are at the end of July and he’s been very consistent for us. I think he is a good addition to our team."

The few biggest sentences there for me:

1) "Football is important to him" (duh).

2) "I like his attitude...his work ethic and....his versatility."

3) "here we are at the end of July and he's been very consistent for us" - there are few more valuable things to Bill Belichick than consistency, dependability.

Add those to the fact that we were so keen on, and early in, signing him, and I'd say he's one of the darkest horse "LOCKS" on this team. Again, I'm being hyperbolic, but that's my prediction.

On this issue I agree with you. If the Patriots had their eye on one man this off season, its Aiken. He makes the 53. Book it.

 

[patsox23]

Let me just say, preemptively, that I KNOW Belichick praises his players all the time in pc'sm and that it's danerous/tempting to read into it - I STILL think those words are worthy of the inference I made. As for another topic that has come up in this thread, I think Izzo's a lock, too.

 

[Brady to Brown]

I would like to see Aiken make it, but he is facing a tough numbers game. He obviously will make this roster (assuming he does) based primarily on his special teams ability because I doubt the Pats want to carry six WRs unless the sixth guy is more of a special teams specialist. The question is whether he can knock a guy like Izzo from his roster spot.

I can see it going either way. I think if he is cut, it will be a tough decision for the coaching staff. But unfortunately for Aiken, he plays a position where the Pats are fairly stacked. It will hurt him if it comes down between his with another special teamer who is close to him in special teams contributions, but plays a position where depth may be a concern. A LBer or CB would have an advantage in this scenario.

With guys who are pure special teamers which Akien would most likely be, a roster spot is never a given. He is at least starting to make some waves that will help his chances.

Another thing going his way is that the Pats rarely give multiyear deals to veterans and cut them before they play a down. The fact that the Pats liked him enough to give him a two year commitment rather than just the one definitely works in his favor.

I hope Jackson makes a name for himself and helps the team in a big way.

Is he better than Aiken? We will see.

 

[tombonneau]

This is, of course, just me being my old occasionally hyperbolic self, but I actually think he's going to crack the 53. And it's all based on one answer from Belichick:

"Sam is one of our early signings. He was with us through the entire off-season program and of course training camp he has performed well all the way through. He has gotten off to a good start here in training camp. He did a good job in the spring. He had a real good off-season program. He worked hard in the passing camps and he showed up very positive here in training camp both as a receiver and in the kicking game. He is a big guy and strong - very strong for his position.

"He is tough, very professional and works hard at his job. Football is important to him. He is on top of things. If he makes a mistake, he really works hard to correct it and make sure he has it right the next time. I like his attitude, I like his work ethic and I like his versatility. He has done a good job. We have a long way to go but to this point he’s been here since the first day of the off-season program and here we are at the end of July and he’s been very consistent for us. I think he is a good addition to our team."

The few biggest sentences there for me:

1) "Football is important to him" (duh).

2) "I like his attitude...his work ethic and....his versatility."

3) "here we are at the end of July and he's been very consistent for us" - there are few more valuable things to Bill Belichick than consistency, dependability.

Add those to the fact that we were so keen on, and early in, signing him, and I'd say he's one of the darkest horse "LOCKS" on this team. Again, I'm being hyperbolic, but that's my prediction.

You left out the most telling part of the quote:

"I think he is a good addition to our team."

IMO, that sort of definitive phrasing says a whole lot more about BB's opinion of Aiken. He isn't trying out for the team, he's already part of the team.

I honestly think that he will bounce Izzo.

 

[jeffbiologist]

Where does he fit? I Washington plays well at both WR and ST and Jackson slips(cut/traded)...there is a spot. Even if Izzo loses his ST spot it will more likely be because another LB prospect takes it. BB LOVES LBs more than anything, and they wont be carrying less than 8(Bruschi, Hobson, Vrabel, Thomas, Mayo, Crable, Woods, Izzo) after losing both Seau and Colvin in the offseason. I can see Seau coming back when someone goes on the IR midseason too. I really cant see us with 3/8 LBs being rookies despite the Ruud/Redd/Guyton guys fighting Aiken and Izzo for that ST spot. ST is a fighting position which will favor LBs that can run and tackle....they do that alot better than WRs usually. Unless they find someone else to LS and take Paxton's cushy gig its going to be very tough....

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Where does he fit? I Washington plays well at both WR and ST and Jackson slips(cut/traded)...there is a spot. Even if Izzo loses his ST spot it will more likely be because another LB prospect takes it. BB LOVES LBs more than anything, and they wont be carrying less than 8(Bruschi, Hobson, Vrabel, Thomas, Mayo, Crable, Woods, Izzo) after losing both Seau and Colvin in the offseason. I can see Seau coming back when someone goes on the IR midseason too. I really cant see us with 3/8 LBs being rookies despite the Ruud/Redd/Guyton guys fighting Aiken and Izzo for that ST spot. ST is a fighting position which will favor LBs that can run and tackle....they do that alot better than WRs usually. Unless they find someone else to LS and take Paxton's cushy gig its going to be very tough....

Paxton is safe, but if Aiken threatens anyone, it's Eric Alexander.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I've converted to the view that Aiken bumps Alexander. It's a 'lock'.