Camp Battle at WR - Kenbrell Thompkins vs Josh Boyce

[Joker]

OTAs....you're all making live fire/in game judgements based on catches made in shorts and tees, wearing only a helmet?

NFL OTA Rules 2014: Explaining Offseason's Workout and Contact Regulations | Bleacher Report

Read what is allowed during OTA's. Thompkins and Boyce made all their catches? WOW!!! I think if you are a WIDE RECEIVER by trade you SHOULD make all the catches . Having drops in OTAs is NOT what the staff is looking for.

All this stuff is nothing more than fan cotton candy....let's see if they're making all the catches when the DB's are allowed to hit them in preseason.

 

[Deus Irae]

OTAs....you're all making live fire/in game judgements based on catches made in shorts and tees, wearing only a helmet?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ng-offseasons-workout-and-contact-regulations

Read what is allowed during OTA's. Thompkins and Boyce made all their catches? WOW!!! I think if you are a WIDE RECEIVER by trade you SHOULD make all the catches . Having drops in OTAs is NOT what the staff is looking for.

all this stuff is nothing more than fan cotton candy....let's see if they're making all the catches when the DB's are allowed to hit them in preseason.

Wait until players start looking good in exhibition games against future gym teachers.

 

[RayClay]

Would people be shocked if Thompkins beat out LaFell? I could see it happening.. Gallon is PS player his first year too much redundancy with Edelman/DA. An injury could very well decide this competition. Team could also choose to carry an extra receiver and fewer tight ends.

My Early Projection:
Edelman
Amendola
Dobson
Boyce
Thompkins
LaFell
Slater

Wouldn't be shocked if LaFell beat out Slater. We will miss his contributions on special teams, though.

 

[Sciz]

Wouldn't be shocked if LaFell beat out Slater. We will miss his contributions on special teams, though.

No. Just no. The only thing LaFell and Slater have in common is their listed positions. In terms of their actual roles, that's like saying that Nate Solder is going to beat out Chris Jones.

 

[supafly]

Would people be shocked if Thompkins beat out LaFell? I could see it happening.. Gallon is PS player his first year too much redundancy with Edelman/DA. An injury could very well decide this competition. Team could also choose to carry an extra receiver and fewer tight ends.

My Early Projection:
Edelman
Amendola
Dobson
Boyce
Thompkins
LaFell
Slater

I think you're spot on with the underlined.

It's certainly possible that we could keep 7 WRs and one less TE, although I would probably expect Belichick to be looking at picking up another TE somewhere along the way just the same, especially since we've had some recent visits with both Finley/Keller. It may not be either one of them, but I would expect 3 TEs on the roster myself.

We also have to keep in mind that we'll be keeping one more extra QB as well, so that needs to be taken into account too, as does the possibility of 5 RBs and 9 OL.

 

[Sciz]

Would people be shocked if Thompkins beat out LaFell?

I would expect that the guy who gave LaFell a $3M signing bonus would be pretty shocked.

 

[supafly]

I'd be shocked if Slater somehow didn't make the team. As RayClay has said, he'll contribute nothing whatsoever at WR, but we must remember his veteran presence, probowl specialist ability, and leadership qualities too.

There are 3 units on the team, and Slater is one of the most important on that third unit. I think his contract alone hints towards that. I think Belichick values him much more than we tend to give credit to.

 

[supafly]

I would expect that the guy who gave LaFell a $3M signing bonus would be pretty shocked.

I think some of this apprehension comes from the average fan's "unfamiliarity" that follows Brandon LaFell, but I think the reality is closer to it pointing to him being a nice middle tiered WR signing this free agent period.

We're talking about a guy who provides a physical presence, gives us a nice RZ addition, and has shown consistent 600-700 yd seasons with a handful of TDs and YPC averages between 13-17 yards. To take it one step further, he's proven to be pretty durable.

 

[RayClay]

No. Just no. The only thing LaFell and Slater have in common is their listed positions. In terms of their actual roles, that's like saying that Nate Solder is going to beat out Chris Jones.

I'm being sarcastic, but if people insist on listing Slater as a receiver, it should be possible a better receiver beats him out. Of course, if people insist on listing a special teams player at a position, why don't they list Slater as a safety instead? I'm almost sure he's played more snaps at safety than at receiver.

 

[RayClay]

I'd be shocked if Slater somehow didn't make the team. As RayClay has said, he'll contribute nothing whatsoever at WR, but we must remember his veteran presence, probowl specialist ability, and leadership qualities too.

There are 3 units on the team, and Slater is one of the most important on that third unit. I think his contract alone hints towards that. I think Belichick values him much more than we tend to give credit to.

Well, Reiss says he's the best special teams player in the NFL, so I'll go with that.

 

[supafly]

I'm being sarcastic, but if people insist on listing Slater as a receiver, it should be possible a better receiver beats him out. Of course, if people insist on listing a special teams player at a position, why don't they list Slater as a safety instead? I'm almost sure he's played more snaps at safety than at receiver.

Certainly a fair question, as I believe that we used to list him there as recently as a couple of seasons ago.

At some point Belichick must have seen his awesome WR potential and immediately realized that he's much more of a receiver than a safety.

 

[supafly]

Well, Reiss says he's the best special teams player in the NFL, so I'll go with that.

I'd say he's certainly up there, although I certainly have quite a bias just as well, and am not familiar with all of the options around the league as well as Reiss is.

 

[Jlaff]

Wouldn't be shocked if LaFell beat out Slater. We will miss his contributions on special teams, though.

Edited down to: What?

 

[AzorianPats]

I'm hearing both Boyce and Tompkins are having great OTA's, but I heard that last year about Sudfeld, and look how that turned out!

I think once TC/pre season starts we'll get a better picture. I just don't want to have another Sudfeld dissapointment again.

 

[goheels22002]

I doubt they'll both make the team. There are five locks: Amendola, LaFell, Dobson, Edelman, and Slater. That leaves one more slot at WR. Camp is a three-way race between Boyce, Thompkins and Gallon. The good news is that there's a lot of speed in that trio.

It would be nice for Slater to become a legitimate 6th receiver who could fill in when one of these guys gets hurt or is able to play but hobbling (Amendola's natural state.) It's unclear to me that he has the hands or route awareness to fill in.

I dont think Lafell is a 100% lock and I think one of them is going on PUP which allows them to keep that extra guy around for a while.

LaFell is precisely what the Pats needed in the draft or in free agency. He's a big receiver who played a complementary role outside and inside for the Panthers

Slater...is...not...a...receiver. In six years he has one more catch than I do. He is a special teams all pro. If you're giving six slots, that means Thomkins and Boyce probably both make it.

From Reiss's chat today...


"What about Kenbrell Thompkins and Josh Boyce stood out to you today?

Mike
(3:28 PM)


Bryan, they caught everything thrown to them. And there were quite a few footballs thrown in their direction, by both Brady and Garoppolo. With Dobson and LaFell not practicing, Thompkins stepped in and ran quite a few routes alongside Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola as more of that outside presence. At one point, Tom Brady connected with him and was so fired after the play that he went up to him and butted his helmet with his own helmet. As for Boyce, I think I counted three touchdown catches for him. He looks to be playing faster, making good reads after the snap, and playing with more confidence. I would caution anyone from getting too excited about a June passing camp practice, but I will admit I had this thought afterwards, "Is this what it could look like when the light goes on in that first-to-second-year jump?"

We know what Matthew Slater does and what his value is to the Patriots. But he's officially listed on the depth chart as a Wide Receiver: Official Website of the New England Patriots | Games & Stats - Unofficial Depth Chart He is not listed with the kickers and long-snapper as special teamer.

The numbers don't work to carry seven WRs, three QBs, three TEs, four RBs and ten OL. That's 27 guys on offense. Add three special teamers and you're at 30 leaving only 23 on defense.

 

[patsinthesnow]

What do we do if both Boyce and KT take a second year leap? Keeping 7 WRs and having two of them inactive won't do anything to stunt their growth. Someone needs to go in this optimistic scenario IMO.

I agree with the nature of Lafell's signing bonus that he's a lock, but cutting Amendola at this point would save 880k this year and some more $ next year.

Who gets axed if all three develop? I don't see the point in 6 WRs + Slater.

 

[mayoclinic]

What do we do if both Boyce and KT take a second year leap? Keeping 7 WRs and having two of them inactive won't do anything to stunt their growth. Someone needs to go in this optimistic scenario IMO.

I agree with the nature of Lafell's signing bonus that he's a lock, but cutting Amendola at this point would save 880k this year and some more $ next year.

Who gets axed if all three develop? I don't see the point in 6 WRs + Slater.

I don't agree with this. You can never have too much depth. That's been shown time and time again. As soon as you think there's too much of a crowd at a position, you find yourself in a position where you're too thin.

Assume Slater is a STer only. With 46 active game day players, subtract 4 positions for Slater and the K, P and LS. That leaves 21 players each on offensive and defense. Assume 2 active QBs, 3 active TEs, and 7 active OL and that leaves 9 active RBs and WRs. LaFell gives you versatility as both a WR and an extra move TE. Odds are 1 or 2 guys will be dinged up at any given time, and who you use on any given week will depend on health and on opponent-specific game planning.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Is it just me or does anyone else get wicked pissed when Josh pisses away a possession calling a deep pass to Slater on a go route that Brady misses or Slater Kung Fu fights the ball?

 

[Sicilian]

Is it just me or does anyone else get wicked pissed when Josh pisses away a possession calling a deep pass to Slater on a go route that Brady misses or Slater Kung Fu fights the ball?

I think it was the AFCCG (it's all a little fuzzy these days), where there was a 3rd and 3 and Brady chucked up a jump ball to Slater about 20 yards downfield. Not sure if that was a McDaniels call or a Brady brain fart, but it was the single most frustrating play of the season for me. If you're going to go deep on a 3rd and short (which sometimes you want to do to keep the D honest), can you find a better target than MATTHEW FREAKIN' SLATER! And a COVERED Slater at that!

 

[Kontradiction]

I think it was the AFCCG (it's all a little fuzzy these days), where there was a 3rd and 3 and Brady chucked up a jump ball to Slater about 20 yards downfield. Not sure if that was a McDaniels call or a Brady brain fart, but it was the single most frustrating play of the season for me. If you're going to go deep on a 3rd and short (which sometimes you want to do to keep the D honest), can you find a better target than MATTHEW FREAKIN' SLATER! And a COVERED Slater at that!

No, actually. I think you're talking about the 2011 AFCCG. Slater was the only "WR" on that squad with any type of deep speed. You'll remember that they ran the same play in Week 1 of that season against Miami for, what I believe, was a 40+ yard gain.