Thompkins

mgteich said:

It is time for many of us to change our perspective (guess) with regard to Thompkins. Many of us had him with little chance of making the team, especially if everyone were healthy. Of course, Dobson is a health question mark.

Mini camp is over. Training camp has started. Thompkins seems to be doing fine with the first string. Thompkins figures to do fine for the rest of camp, and probably at least OK in the preseason.

CONCLUSION
Thompkins seems very, very likely to make the team.

THE REST OF THE RECEIVERS - QUESTION MARKS
All of the rest have question marks except Edelman.

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Thompkins was all the rage last year during camp as well, remember he preseason game against the Lions? The question is when the competition level gets higher in the regular season will his play sustain this season. It did not last season. Personally, I am not completely sold on Thompkins, I do think he has an excellent chance to make the team, but I am not sending him to the Pro Bowl as many are now.

Would love for KT to make it. I'll always love the kid for the catch against the Saints.

Deus Irae said:

Amendola (swallowing $6.8m for a player who caught 54 passes?)

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Amendola was the first player on the practice field yesterday, and the second play out there today. He is feeling the pressure; he knows that he is not a lock for this roster.

Deus Irae said:

LaFell (would be a $3 million dollars + "whoopsie")

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I would be surprised if they did not give LaFell this season to prove himself. He has been a productive receiver throughout his NFL career, and he is a very good run blocker.

Deus Irae said:

Boyce

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It surprises me how many people feel Belichick would be so quick to give up on Josh Boyce. He was the #102 pick in the NFL draft in 2013, that is not even a half a round difference between him and where Bequette was drafted in 2012, Boyce was not anything special as a rookie but he did more than Bequette and still Bequette is entering his third camp with us. Personally, I am 95% certain Boyce will be on the 53-man roster.

AndyJohnson said:

Which one of those do you think lost the chance to beat him out based upon his practice yesterday?

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No one's lost any such chance yet but bottom line to start camp KT has been taking Reps as a top 3 WR so no reason to talk roster bubble with him until someone actually takes advantage of their chance. KT looks great and had a good rookie year I see no reason not to be excited and even less reason to think he will be cut.

KT is making the team. He is pretty much a lock. I would take 16 to 1 odds, and bet my roll he makes the team.

Kenbrell is as explosive in his routes/cuts/breaks as marquise Lee. Watch highlights! He left some quality and fast corners in his dust when changing direction and bursting to top speed in a flash last season and preseason. He is faster/more flexible and more explosive than last season. He is also much stronger but with his style the XTRA speed/flexibility is more significant.

He reminded me last season as 2002 chad Johnson with little less explosion and core flexibility for reaching tough passes. Core flexibility and hip/ankle/knee flexibility along with quickness is what he worked on in his off season long grueling hard daily. Everybody questioned when I said he was training/practicing 8 hrs every day. But Even Bill raves bout his hard hard work. When your work/training/practicing surprises/impresses Bill then your training/practicing very hard and long.

His cousin Antonio Brown has a similar work ethic. Everybody criticized his contract while everybody was talking resign Wallace. Saying why did they pay Antonio all that $$ for just looking good in practice. When the steelers needed to try and retain Wallace. Now look who is the more complete WR! Look whose practice field play is transferring to real games! Due to hard work/training/practices/detail to WR craft. Antonio Brown like Kenbrell is a quicker/more flexible/more explosive all around better athlete than when he was at the combine and in college. Kenbrell like his cousin did,worked on his hands and attention to craft and detail as a WR. Kenbrell has outworked his cousin to catch up to him on the field with production and established respect Antonio has achieved.

Kenbrell impressed sports writers from all around last preseason with his raw talent. He flashed in the regular season and then struggled with mistakes/rookie jitters/inexperience overall as almost all great WRs have as rookies. He also had some injuries.

He hasn't played in games yet because preseason games haven't started. But he has impressed with his talent/consistent playmaking/work ethic every time he has hit the practice field.He has stood out every time and many times looked like the best player on offense. No reason to think he won't continue to impress once the pads go on. Before injuries/rookie inexperience showed up last season,he made many big plays on talent alone as a very raw inexperienced rookie with very suspect coaching/training in college. This year through long hard training/practicing he is a quicker/more explosive/flexible/better athlete. He is also smarter,better coached and much much better of a player. He has better hands,much more confidence,a better feel for his position and the game and ever improving craftiness and attention to detail. Bill raved about how coachable he was and he wants to improve his craft at his position and knowledge of offense and how to best defenses continuously. There is no garuntee he will definitely be nearly as productive as his cousin Antonio. But there is no reason to think he won't continue to look impressive when games begin. Considering his improved knowledge and craft of his position and the game and improving confidence and comfortability along with his much improved overall speed/athletic ability through his hard long training/practice sessions. KT could realistically be poised for a big season with considerable Stats. I think he has what it takes to go over 1000 yards.

Elaborate some guys- Core flexibility, when you see Antonio Brown or other WRs jump and contort/flex to make a spectacular sportscenter catch/grab,its a result of athleticism that includes ankle/knee flexibility/hip and leg flexibility as well as core strength and core flexibility. Everybody talks about muscles and bigger power and core strength. But most people ignore and neglect core flexibility which is a huge factor in acrobatic catches or so called 50/50 balls. Your friend Gym rat would laugh at me for not thinking more muscles is what makes on field power. But everybody has their opinions and rights to what equals on field success.

PatFanCraig said:

Kenbrell is as explosive in his routes/cuts/breaks as marquise Lee. Watch highlights! He left some quality and fast corners in his dust when changing direction and bursting to top speed in a flash last season and preseason. He is faster/more flexible and more explosive than last season. He is also much stronger but with his style the XTRA speed/flexibility is more significant.

He reminded me last season as 2002 chad Johnson with little less explosion and core flexibility for reaching tough passes. Core flexibility and hip/ankle/knee flexibility along with quickness is what he worked on in his off season long grueling hard daily. Everybody questioned when I said he was training/practicing 8 hrs every day. But Even Bill raves bout his hard hard work. When your work/training/practicing surprises/impresses Bill then your training/practicing very hard and long.

His cousin Antonio Brown has a similar work ethic. Everybody criticized his contract while everybody was talking resign Wallace. Saying why did they pay Antonio all that $$ for just looking good in practice. When the steelers needed to try and retain Wallace. Now look who is the more complete WR! Look whose practice field play is transferring to real games! Due to hard work/training/practices/detail to WR craft. Antonio Brown like Kenbrell is a quicker/more flexible/more explosive all around better athlete than when he was at the combine and in college. Kenbrell like his cousin did,worked on his hands and attention to craft and detail as a WR. Kenbrell has outworked his cousin to catch up to him on the field with production and established respect Antonio has achieved.

Kenbrell impressed sports writers from all around last preseason with his raw talent. He flashed in the regular season and then struggled with mistakes/rookie jitters/inexperience overall as almost all great WRs have as rookies. He also had some injuries.

He hasn't played in games yet because preseason games haven't started. But he has impressed with his talent/consistent playmaking/work ethic every time he has hit the practice field.He has stood out every time and many times looked like the best player on offense. No reason to think he won't continue to impress once the pads go on. Before injuries/rookie inexperience showed up last season,he made many big plays on talent alone as a very raw inexperienced rookie with very suspect coaching/training in college. This year through long hard training/practicing he is a quicker/more explosive/flexible/better athlete. He is also smarter,better coached and much much better of a player. He has better hands,much more confidence,a better feel for his position and the game and ever improving craftiness and attention to detail. Bill raved about how coachable he was and he wants to improve his craft at his position and knowledge of offense and how to best defenses continuously. There is no garuntee he will definitely be nearly as productive as his cousin Antonio. But there is no reason to think he won't continue to look impressive when games begin. Considering his improved knowledge and craft of his position and the game and improving confidence and comfortability along with his much improved overall speed/athletic ability through his hard long training/practice sessions. KT could realistically be poised for a big season with considerable Stats. I think he has what it takes to go over 1000 yards.

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You are one long winded dude.

PatFanCraig said:

Kenbrell is as explosive in his routes/cuts/breaks as marquise Lee. Watch highlights! He left some quality and fast corners in his dust when changing direction and bursting to top speed in a flash last season and preseason. He is faster/more flexible and more explosive than last season. He is also much stronger but with his style the XTRA speed/flexibility is more significant.

He reminded me last season as 2002 chad Johnson with little less explosion and core flexibility for reaching tough passes. Core flexibility and hip/ankle/knee flexibility along with quickness is what he worked on in his off season long grueling hard daily. Everybody questioned when I said he was training/practicing 8 hrs every day. But Even Bill raves bout his hard hard work. When your work/training/practicing surprises/impresses Bill then your training/practicing very hard and long.

His cousin Antonio Brown has a similar work ethic. Everybody criticized his contract while everybody was talking resign Wallace. Saying why did they pay Antonio all that $$ for just looking good in practice. When the steelers needed to try and retain Wallace. Now look who is the more complete WR! Look whose practice field play is transferring to real games! Due to hard work/training/practices/detail to WR craft. Antonio Brown like Kenbrell is a quicker/more flexible/more explosive all around better athlete than when he was at the combine and in college. Kenbrell like his cousin did,worked on his hands and attention to craft and detail as a WR. Kenbrell has outworked his cousin to catch up to him on the field with production and established respect Antonio has achieved.

Kenbrell impressed sports writers from all around last preseason with his raw talent. He flashed in the regular season and then struggled with mistakes/rookie jitters/inexperience overall as almost all great WRs have as rookies. He also had some injuries.

He hasn't played in games yet because preseason games haven't started. But he has impressed with his talent/consistent playmaking/work ethic every time he has hit the practice field.He has stood out every time and many times looked like the best player on offense. No reason to think he won't continue to impress once the pads go on. Before injuries/rookie inexperience showed up last season,he made many big plays on talent alone as a very raw inexperienced rookie with very suspect coaching/training in college. This year through long hard training/practicing he is a quicker/more explosive/flexible/better athlete. He is also smarter,better coached and much much better of a player. He has better hands,much more confidence,a better feel for his position and the game and ever improving craftiness and attention to detail. Bill raved about how coachable he was and he wants to improve his craft at his position and knowledge of offense and how to best defenses continuously. There is no garuntee he will definitely be nearly as productive as his cousin Antonio. But there is no reason to think he won't continue to look impressive when games begin. Considering his improved knowledge and craft of his position and the game and improving confidence and comfortability along with his much improved overall speed/athletic ability through his hard long training/practice sessions. KT could realistically be poised for a big season with considerable Stats. I think he has what it takes to go over 1000 yards.

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You remind me of that long winded uncle at family functions no one wants to get trapped in conversation with and loose 2 hours of your life.

Although Kenbrell has talent to be awesome and Dobson will be ready by early season. Dobson showed a serious burst and XTRA gear to prove he can get separation anywhere. Both I believe will be legit starting Z and X playmakers. While we can't garuntee success. We can say for sure they showed legit speed/skills to get open on par with many pro bowl WRs in their first season. Including Owens ocho wallace Vincent Jackson/Marshall/ Isaac Bruce( who Kenbrell reminds me of some) Antonio Brown Garcon Decker D. Thomas Jennings Jeffrey Maclin Crabtree Tavon Austin deandre Hopkins Hilton Justin hunter Kendall wright jordy nelson Steve johnson Roddy white. Did any of these top prospects/established pro bowlers show any better raw skills as a rookie. Take an hour or 2 look at highlights of rookie seasons. Dobson/KT show as much or more dynamic raw talent like speed/burst/separation skills as many of them. They just need to progress. All we really need is what KT/Dobson/Boyce doubters really should be worried about and picking on their ability which is interior OLine. Losers Wendall/Connolly. Kind of hard for rookie WRs to progress and gain confidence to win on any route when the QB doesn't have time to allow WRs to work all routes. The interior OLine is standing in our young WRs way to develop more than anything else over anything they lack in skills. Rookies lack experience to adapt or the feel to break off a routes when the worst interior OLine in the NFL is forcing WRs to adapt on the fly. So they had to not just learn the offense but adapt and compensate for Brady having to release early because pathetic RG/Center consistently getting walked back. Fix the interior OLine and our young WRs have immense talent to develop and produce.

Took 5 mins but I admit I get excited,especially when I'm in a hurry

PatFanCraig said:

Took 5 mins but I admit I get excited,especially when I'm in a hurry

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You have nothing to apologize for. Please don't concern yourself with a really stupid comment.

Kenbrell Thompkins coming out of the gate fast is very promising. His two big issues last season were his inability to get on the same page with Brady in "read and react" situations, and then his injuries. The fact that the Patriots stuck with him tells me they believe he can learn the offense. If he can be where he is supposed to be when given reps in the pre-season, we've got a real keeper. If Thompkins, Amendola, Edelman and Gronkowski are opening day starters, Dobson and Lafell will have time to work their way into impact situations. Let's hope the reports from TC continue to be optimistic.

Dobson being out is really helping his cause and he is making the most of it. Good for him

signbabybrady said:

No one's lost any such chance yet but bottom line to start camp KT has been taking Reps as a top 3 WR so no reason to talk roster bubble with him until someone actually takes advantage of their chance. KT looks great and had a good rookie year I see no reason not to be excited and even less reason to think he will be cut.

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I'm not disagreeing with that but to say he is a lock after one practice is silly. He has a lot of competition for a roster spot.

People do underestimate (including me) Thompkins talent level. If he did join the 200+ club, and improved his speed he could compare favorably with this year’s #1 WR Sammy Watkins.

Sammy Watkins
Height: 6006
Weight: 211
40 Yard Dash: 4.39
20 Yard Dash: 2.52
10 Yard Dash: 1.54
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 16
Vertical Jump: 34
Broad Jump: 10'06"
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.34
3-Cone Drill: 6.95

Kenbrell Thompkins
Height: 6005
Weight: 193
40 Yard Dash: 4.46
20 Yard Dash: 2.55
10 Yard Dash: 1.56
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 08
Vertical Jump: 33 1/2
Broad Jump: 10'01"
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.21
3-Cone Drill: 6.88

The question is can Thompkins play like Watkins who is smooth in his routes and has very good hands. If what is happening in camp is a sign of things to come he could be a real steal, but I have to be honest I cannot remember many outside (non-slot) WRs who entered the NFL as UDFA and became stars. If I am overlooking some let me know, I did not do any research.

Brady6 said:

The question is can Thompkins play like Watkins who is smooth in his routes and has very good hands. If what is happening in camp is a sign of things to come he could be a real steal, but I have to be honest I cannot remember many outside (non-slot) WRs who entered the NFL as UDFA and became stars. If I am overlooking some let me know, I did not do any research.

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Miles Austin?

UDFA who already played legit minutes for an NFL team by definition is not a bust.

That being said, I am confused why everyone seems so CONVINCED that Lafell is going to rocket up the depth chart. It isn't like he is some otherwordly talent. The 2nd year players have a year in the system already, and are likely going to be ahead of him until he proves otherwise.

mgteich said:

It is time for many of us to change our perspective (guess) with regard to Thompkins. Many of us had him with little chance of making the team, especially if everyone were healthy. Of course, Dobson is a health question mark.

Mini camp is over. Training camp has started. Thompkins seems to be doing fine with the first string. Thompkins figures to do fine for the rest of camp, and probably at least OK in the preseason.

CONCLUSION
Thompkins seems very, very likely to make the team.

THE REST OF THE RECEIVERS - QUESTION MARKS
All of the rest have question marks except Edelman.

Click to expand...

Edelman has question marks too - I understand we all have short memories, but he's played one full season his entire career.

mgteich said:

My point is that I expect Thompkins to look at least OK through the start of the season.

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I had no disagreement with what you wrote. I was commenting on another post that was presented as if Thompkins had a pattern based on only one season.

Jared said:

UDFA who already played legit minutes for an NFL team by definition is not a bust.

That being said, I am confused why everyone seems so CONVINCED that Lafell is going to rocket up the depth chart. It isn't like he is some otherwordly talent. The 2nd year players have a year in the system already, and are likely going to be ahead of him until he proves otherwise.

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In his 4-year career, LaFell has more receiving yards and receiving touchdowns than any WR on the Patriots. That includes Amendola who is entering his 7th year as a pro, and Edelman who is entering his 5th year as a pro.