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Gaffney has nowhere near raw talent of Kenbrell. Nor was he a freakishly hard worker like KT. Who trained like top notch tae kwan do performers and gymnasts for flexibility such as Pilate/yoga resistance stretches and exercises using TRX among other stuff. Running up to 100 routes and footwork gauntlets a day. His cousin Antonio Brown was the modern Jerry Rice and Kenbrell topped his cousins work ethic to catch up to him on the field with Antonio's production. Training/practicing 8 hours every day. I don't know for sure yet but I bet Kenbrell could match any of Watkins combine #s and run the sub 4.4 40. He ran a 4.40 flat on a particular run before training for his improvements. Right now if Kenbrell were tested in training camp I would put his measurables up against any significant WR in this draft. Raw explosion he was working to be comparable to Paul Richardson. Kenbrell before grueling training......

40- 4.46( ran consistent low 4.4's in workouts for his transfer to division one
Vertical 34
Broad 10'1"
3Cone 6.88

Those are very respectable but he could roast those #'s now. not to mention his endurance has to be through the roof. He should own the last quarter of games. I will bet he far exceeds Gaffney#'s production.

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What ever happened to the Danny Amendola mega thread that was supposed to contain all the debates regarding Amendola/his contract/ his groin/his hanging up on that one guy/ his quick cuts/ his relationship to Edelman/ his needing to lose 10 lbs of fat and gain 15 lbs of muscle/ and his connection to the Chernobyl disaster? I didn't follow it, but I do recall it existing for the aforementioned purpose.


It got locked, or moved to the practice squad. I think the motivation behind that thread was misunderstood by board management.
 
He dropped off because he got injured. I'm not sure why this tends to get glossed over so frequently.

It's because NE and BB doesn't suffer whining gladly. Which i find refreshing. Throughout the league it's the norm for players to make performance excuses, shout it from the roof even, especially with all the money at stake. But it's simply human nature to forgot the non-squeaky wheel. It just is. And if these two contradictory thoughts were fused into a single meme in a shallow attempt to quickly (yet wittily) answer your question, it would boil down to... If he had only *****ed more back then we could be able to like him more today! :) So obvious.

But I'm glad people are now starting to recall this. I started thinking I might have made it up. But I guess that's also because KT kept it so quiet, it was a non-story. Then they went right to the jucier rookie wall / brady trust storyline as he sat out. Injury forgotten. And I truly think this minor/medium injury or two had more of a negative impact than most of us realized at the time. Maybe even KT thought himself. It might help explain why he's come out on fire after a crazy man training. Either way it speaks well of his character and future development. Specifically: 1) He didn't *****, complain or mention external excuses (including injury) as for his dropoff in production. 2) He was so pissed off and/or hungry to improve (IMO because of said dropoff, internal fire) he trained like Jack Lelane banging Universal Soldier Serum between Cheerio IV drips, all off-season. 3) He ignored The Bolded Rule above :mad: My rule gawdammit!

Also, why do people keep saying here his hands were questionable last year? I thought he was pretty sticky. Bad routes and bad footwork I thought was more the issue. This caused him to lurch and miss a few passes when out of position, but not straight drops. In any case, the silver lining is overlooked, that is TB was throwing to him because KT was breaking jams and getting open, and TB recognized it. But thats when the rookie nerves took over from there, just happy to be open, bit out of control, and causing the footwork / route problems above. Luckily he has what you can't teach. Getting open. And if he's bigger, faster, he should be hugely improved in the areas he was already good at. And the 2nd year jump should fix the nerves and routes. And he's more familiar with the playbook. Overall I'm looking for big things from KT. And, if he stays healthy, it would solve the last area of weakness his rookie season. His health. So, as it was, I was looking for surprising improvement this season, and that was before the off-season he-man training reports and recent glowing camp reports. With those, I'm even more psyched! But I guess that's what you'd expect to see if he was going to improve as much as hoped. So then overall, it looks all good, and KT seems poised to deliver a reahlly biig shew for us this season. A Reahlly Biig Shew*.

*(Ed Sullivan voice if nuances lost in digital translation)
 
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As I commented earlier in the year, I'm one who thinks KT is going to have a banner year. He's gotten motivated and seems like he really NEEDS to show what he can do. That's the sort of edge that can lift one player over another and, in some instances, mean the difference between winning a game and having it slip away from you.

Yeah, I may be seeing everything through rose-tinted lenses, and it's only day 2 of training camp. But I really think that young man has the skills and desire to light it up on the field this year.
 
No, B6. He is "hard working" because he's ALWAYS been hard working. That's how UDFA's get those million dollar contracts. :rolleyes:

By insinuating that he's only working hard because he views himself not a "lock" is totally being disingenuous. We get it. You don't like DA. Fine. Don't feel the need to let us know with every post regardless of the topic. Even the very slow amongst us can remember.

BTW- DA looked very good out there today. ;)
Like I said Amendola is not a lock, I know, he knows it, and most others know it. He is out there early working hard to make the roster. I never said that he was doing it out of fear or insinuated anything. I acknowledged what he has been doing. In the same post I also wrote about Brandon LaFell and Josh Boyce yet you and nobody else has said one thing about what I said about them. Instead you and others want to lock into me saying Amendola was out to practice early.

Talk about trying to make something out of nothing and being overly defensive. I'm not an Amendola fan, that doesn't mean everything I say has some evil intent, you all really need to get over it, this reaction and the other reactions to what I wrote are middle school level.
 
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Gaffney has nowhere near raw talent of Kenbrell. Nor was he a freakishly hard worker like KT. Who trained like top notch tae kwan do performers and gymnasts for flexibility such as Pilate/yoga resistance stretches and exercises using TRX among other stuff. Running up to 100 routes and footwork gauntlets a day. His cousin Antonio Brown was the modern Jerry Rice and Kenbrell topped his cousins work ethic to catch up to him on the field with Antonio's production. Training/practicing 8 hours every day. I don't know for sure yet but I bet Kenbrell could match any of Watkins combine #s and run the sub 4.4 40. He ran a 4.40 flat on a particular run before training for his improvements. Right now if Kenbrell were tested in training camp I would put his measurables up against any significant WR in this draft. Raw explosion he was working to be comparable to Paul Richardson. Kenbrell before grueling training......

40- 4.46( ran consistent low 4.4's in workouts for his transfer to division one
Vertical 34
Broad 10'1"
3Cone 6.88

Those are very respectable but he could roast those #'s now. not to mention his endurance has to be through the roof. He should own the last quarter of games. I will bet he far exceeds Gaffney#'s production.

I am beginning to wonder if you have the last name of "Thompkins?"
 
Also, why do people keep saying here his hands were questionable last year? I thought he was pretty sticky. Bad routes and bad footwork I thought was more the issue. This caused him to lurch and miss a few passes when out of position, but not straight drops.

I believe it is due to what is often referred to as "double catching," which means that Thompkins kind of double clutches at balls, rather than bring them in cleanly on the initial attempt. This, while it may/may not end up being an issue, was definitely evident many times during the 2013 season. Hopefully, it improves.
 
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Look his numbers up. For all who have an issue with KTs ability and success he Will have this season I don't know why you seem to want to doubt. As for his training regime. He followed his cousins footsteps and added to it. Antonios training is all over YouTube. Far from a gymrats lifting style. I also see many people here disappointed Amendola won't be starting. Taking it personal. If im really Kenbrell how many Amendola friends and family are here? Once we signed him. Edelman is the slot and who would have 2 passcatchers on the field simultaneously starting that struggle to average 10 ypc. Amendola is below average of an athlete at WR. Its likely Boyce shares more snaps at slot by playoff time. Starters....

X Dobson
Z Kenbrell
Slot Edelman(Boyce with speed talent shares some snaps)

BTW seeing doubt here and slandering his ability helps motivate him once the games really begin. He can't wait.
 
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.

Even more than with most positions, measurables are only useful to a point with WRs. I could easily go and link to 10 WRs whose measurables are better than AJ Green's, all of whom are fringe NFL players.

Not to dismiss Thompkins: I'm hopeful, as we all should be. I just don't think that that comparison means what you're suggesting. Thompkins' measurables tell us that he has the requisite baseline ability to be a good NFL WR (they actually compare favorably to his cousin, Antonio Brown's) but I would be hesitant to draw much more than that from combine numbers.
 
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I believe it is due to what is often referred to as "double catching," which means that Thompkins kind of double clutches at balls, rather than bring them in cleanly on the initial attempt. This, while it may/may not end up being an issue, was definitely evident many times during the 2013 season. Hopefully, it improves.

Yes, I can see that. But is this a bad thing? It can be, if the passes are on target, no doubt. But with KT here, and analyzing the overall play; jam, buildup, read, route and outcome, I still think these double clutches are overall a good play from the wideout. From the rose view, we saw a rookie player that fought and got open (on a regular basis no less), sometimes even making it look easy, make good reads, then for whatever reasons (inexperience, exuberance, poor TB deliveries, chemistry, etc - and the true debate of how much and where he might improve IMO), whatever reasons, he often found a ball delivered slightly off target or off-timed from what the he expected when he made his turn. Not crazy off target, cuz his reads were good, but off by 1,2 or 3 feet from his hands. Now stay with me. Here is where the possible dual view of the double clutch comes in: Why it's good view. KT wouldn't blink, he'd react, stretch out, extend, jump, whatever it took and CATCH the ball. Yes he'd often double clutch it. That's what usually happens when you catch a poorly thrown ball, and your body is out of position, and you need to pull everything back together, and sprint for your life. Just get it done. Now, why it's not worse view. We've all seen dozens of receivers (mostly other teams thankfully) NOT CATCH a similar pass at all. They just couldn't adjust to ball quickly enough, might alligator arm it, get bumped off the spot while they waited, simply were out jumped, see it scoot thru their fingers, turn upfield too soon leaving it behind, hell, I've even seen them bounce straight off stone hands into perfect running knee drop kicks to land 25 yds deep into incredulous NYJ partisan crowds :D But the one thing these guys never got accused of was double-clutching a catch. They just straight out dropped it. So a double-clutch CATCH could be looked at as good overall too I argue.
 
I have always felt that Thompkins was a solid rookie who got hurt and had the usual rookie issues. People on this board treated him unfairly in my opinion.

Although guys hands were definitely questionable last year. Double clutching the ball a lot ands that is not a good thing.
 
I believe it is due to what is often referred to as "double catching," which means that Thompkins kind of double clutches at balls, rather than bring them in cleanly on the initial attempt. This, while it may/may not end up being an issue, was definitely evident many times during the 2013 season. Hopefully, it improves.
I saw none of this "double clutching from Thompkins yesterday. Everything he caught was with his hands and strong. However it was a good description of several of LaFell's catches
 
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.

Chad Jackson made the team too and was useless as tits on a bull.
 
Only time will tell with all these guys but it's definitely encouraging. I just think we're getting ahead of ourselves. It's only been 2 days
 
Amendola is not a roster lock; he is putting in the work to earn a spot. What is the issue with that? Should I say Amendola is a lock and is just amazing for going out to practice early? Will you stop with swan song if I say that?

Brady is a roster lock. It is not even close to comparable...:confused:
Amendola is a roster lock. There is no question of that.
Your conclusion that his commitment to be early to practice is because he fears his job is simply ignorant
 
Yes, I can see that. But is this a bad thing? It can be, if the passes are on target, no doubt. But with KT here, and analyzing the overall play; jam, buildup, read, route and outcome, I still think these double clutches are overall a good play from the wideout. From the rose view, we saw a rookie player that fought and got open (on a regular basis no less), sometimes even making it look easy, make good reads, then for whatever reasons (inexperience, exuberance, poor TB deliveries, chemistry, etc - and the true debate of how much and where he might improve IMO), whatever reasons, he often found a ball delivered slightly off target or off-timed from what the he expected when he made his turn. Not crazy off target, cuz his reads were good, but off by 1,2 or 3 feet from his hands. Now stay with me. Here is where the possible dual view of the double clutch comes in: Why it's good view. KT wouldn't blink, he'd react, stretch out, extend, jump, whatever it took and CATCH the ball. Yes he'd often double clutch it. That's what usually happens when you catch a poorly thrown ball, and your body is out of position, and you need to pull everything back together, and sprint for your life. Just get it done. Now, why it's not worse view. We've all seen dozens of receivers (mostly other teams thankfully) NOT CATCH a similar pass at all. They just couldn't adjust to ball quickly enough, might alligator arm it, get bumped off the spot while they waited, simply were out jumped, see it scoot thru their fingers, turn upfield too soon leaving it behind, hell, I've even seen them bounce straight off stone hands into perfect running knee drop kicks to land 25 yds deep into incredulous NYJ partisan crowds :D But the one thing these guys never got accused of was double-clutching a catch. They just straight out dropped it. So a double-clutch CATCH could be looked at as good overall too I argue.

Huh? The ball hit him in the hands bounced off and then (sometimes) he caught it on the rebound.
Whatever you are describing there isn't what happened.
 
Amendola is a roster lock. There is no question of that.
Your conclusion that his commitment to be early to practice is because he fears his job is simply ignorant
I disagree. I'm not getting into an Amendola debate though so I will leave it at that.
 
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