Camp Battle at WR - Kenbrell Thompkins vs Josh Boyce

Nick Underhill is of the opinion that the final roster spot at wide receiver is up for grabs between Boyce and Thompkins. Personally I am thinking that there is another very realistic scenario: that Aaron Dobson begins the season on PUP, and both Boyce and Thompkins make the Week One roster. The either (a) the situation is decided by an unforeseen injury to one of the six receivers, (b) one of Boyce or Thompkins outplays the other during the first half of the season, making the decision an easy one once Dobson is ready and eligible to return, or (c), as mentioned below, the Patriots go with seven receivers since they will likely be utilizing a two-tight end formation less often than in the recent past.



Patriots mailbag: What does Kenbrell Thompkins need to do to make the team? | masslive.com

How does Reiss not think Dobson is not a lock. The only way he doesn't make the final 53 man roster is if he is on the PUP or IR.

He also weighs in on the ever-popular Amendola-Edelman debate (not sure if I should have even brought this topic up....)

I think Boyce is going to open many eyes in camp and he will make this team easily, especially given that he has the KR skillset. There is a reasonable chance Dobson ends up on PUP come September and Thompkins could win a spot if that happens.

It's not a camp battle to me, both are locks to make the roster imo.

Boyce has the potential to be the most dangerous receiver on this roster if he can come in and "get it". By "get it", I mean if he's improved the following:

1. Route running.
2. Hands.
3. Awareness, particularly when the ball is in the air.
4. Ability to read what the defense is giving our offense.

Boyce has the raw speed and quickness to be the threat that this team has been lacking, as far as a WR who can threaten outside the numbers goes, for a few years now. If he shows immediate improvement in those areas, I don't even think it will be much of a competition. I still think that it's too early to write Thompkins off, though. He might have already reached his potential but, for a time, he was looking like the best of the rookie WR's by far and away. Either way, TC should be interesting. I'm rooting for Boyce the most out of all the second year WR's currently on the roster.

These things have a way of sorting themselves out, either through injuries or level of play. It seems to me that Thompkins and Boyce are of different skill sets and different roles in the offense. Really, it seems that the only real backup to Dobson would be Thompkins, as a taller WR who can play on the outside.

Slater should not count as a WR

no offense to nick underhill, but......

I think they both make the roster –

- Edelman
- Amendola
- Dobson
- LaFell
- Boyce
- Thompkins
- Slater

If we are moving back to the 2007 three wide receiver offense then it makes sense. Also keep in mind Edelman is the #1 punt returner, Amendola is the #2 punt returner, Boyce is likely to be the #1 kick returner, and Slater is the #2 kick returner and lead blocker on kick returns. In addition to that, LaFell can play the move tight end position.

These seven were on our final 2007 roster so it is not unprecedented for us to keep that number –

- Troy Brown
- Jabar Gaffney
- Chad Jackson
- Randy Moss
- Donté Stallworth
- Kelley Washington
- Wes Welker

jmt57 said:

Nick Underhill is of the opinion that the final roster spot at wide receiver is up for grabs between Boyce and Thompkins. Personally I am thinking that there is another very realistic scenario: that Aaron Dobson begins the season on PUP, and both Boyce and Thompkins make the Week One roster. The either (a) the situation is decided by an unforeseen injury to one of the six receivers, (b) one of Boyce or Thompkins outplays the other during the first half of the season, making the decision an easy one once Dobson is ready and eligible to return, or (c), as mentioned below, the Patriots go with seven receivers since they will likely be utilizing a two-tight end formation less often than in the recent past.



Patriots mailbag: What does Kenbrell Thompkins need to do to make the team? | masslive.com

Q.: The Pats keep six wide receivers, correct? Does that mean Kenbrell Thompkins is done without an incredible camp? --

Nick: The Patriots do typically carry six wide receivers, but seeing them keep seven would not be out of the question, especially since it appears the team will once again be less reliant on two-tight end sets. I think we can pencil in Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Matthew Slater, and Brandon LaFell as locks to make the team. Aaron Dobson is in the next tier, and it would be shocking if he does not make the team. That leaves Josh Boyce and Thompkins fighting for the sixth spot if a seventh does not exist.

I don’t know that he needs to have an “incredible camp” to make the team. He just has to be better than Boyce. Both players have looked good in the two organized team activities that have been open to reporters, but I would put Thompkins a step ahead.​

​

Click to expand...

Dobson on PUP would be a disaster, IMO.

It is always possible to keep an additional player at one position at the expense of a roster spot somewhere else.

We all agree that there are question marks in the WR position. We all should understand that if everyone is healthy, that only 4 receivers will get significant reps, and the 4th may not get all that many.

Personally, I would keep the extra player if we had to choose NOW. But that isn't the case. It is very, very likely that we the so-called extra position will resolve itself before the season starts, or in the first 4 weeks. The reason we want an extra is that we haven't a clue which players are our best receivers. The answer to that question is to have camp and preseason competition. The answer is not to carry an extra player.

DI does continue to suggest that we need to keep an extra player because our receivers are so frail and have such a poor injury history. Well, I guess that is a good reason to keep an extra inactive receiver. Perhaps we need a 7th receiver more than a 10th DL or some of the other position. After all, I currently have a base squad of 47. The last 6 could be at almost any position.

Brady6 said:

I think they both make the roster –

- Edelman
- Amendola
- Dobson
- LaFell
- Boyce
- Thompkins
- Slater

If we are moving back to the 2007 three wide receiver offense then it makes sense. Also keep in mind Edelman is the #1 punt returner, Amendola is the #2 punt returner, Boyce is likely to be the #1 kick returner, and Slater is the #2 kick returner and lead blocker on kick returns. In addition to that, LaFell can play the move tight end position.

These seven were on our final 2007 roster so it is not unprecedented for us to keep that number –

- Troy Brown
- Jabar Gaffney
- Chad Jackson
- Randy Moss
- Donté Stallworth
- Kelley Washington
- Wes Welker

Click to expand...

I am thinking it would be wise to keep both unless we sign a quality TE that can play.

I don't think we do now. I just have not heard anything about Keller or Finley that makes me REALLY want to pound the table for them. If either can get back to where they were then sure but I have not heard that yet. Maybe Gonzo changes the equation but that will not be till November if at all.

If the OTA reports are true then I would question why we would let either go especially with our injury concerns at the position. I think we go back to more of a WR based on.

Also a above poster said usually a team only uses 4 WRs in a game but I think if we run a 1 TE O with as much as we pass and as much as Brady tends to spread it around I can see 5 WRs having a big impact in any given game.

On the WR front, my expectation is that Dobson, Boyce and Thompkins all make sizable enough improvement that, when combined with the amount of upside and youth they offer, make it impossible for BB to cut them.

Add these 3 to Edelman, and we have 4 wideouts. Should Amendola shake his injury prone ways he should be a keeper. Count is now 5.

If the above happens I could see LaFell being on the outside looking in .... for a WR spot. In such as case I could see LaFell being primarily used in the move TE role, taking up one of the TE spots, and allowing the option of carrying just Gronk and a blocking TE (Hooman?) as TE's.

Every one of them has a similar talent level to the next- a #2 receiver who could be a #1 on a good day but will struggle against a good defender. Except Boyce, who is more unproven though likely a #3 receiver and Slater, who is a special teams ace.

Nick: The Patriots do typically carry six wide receivers, but seeing them keep seven would not be out of the question, especially since it appears the team will once again be less reliant on two-tight end sets.

Click to expand...

That's the takeaway (people can look to the "how many injuries thread for the 'why'), IMO. It's also why the 3rd QB is such an important change this year.

AndyJohnson said:

Dobson on PUP would be a disaster, IMO.

Click to expand...

I disagree. I think he could play that position quite well.

AndyJohnson said:

Dobson on PUP would be a disaster, IMO...

Click to expand...

…but not unexpected.

7 WRs and 3 QBs ??? I don't believe it. Someone has to go
or put on PUP or IRed.

JR4 said:

7 WRs and 3 QBs ??? I don't believe it. Someone has to go
or put on PUP or IRed.

Click to expand...

The numbers game is always an issue. Not having that QB3 slot free is potentially a significant issue, no doubt.

captain stone said:

…but not unexpected.

Click to expand...

I don't think many people expect Dobson to start the year on PUP. The guy had surgery in early March and the typical recovery time for that type of surgery is 2-3 months. So, it would be a bit of surprise if he is on the training camp PUP list never mind the regular season PUP list. He should be good to go for training camp.