26 On Offense - One Will Likely Go

[JoeSixPat]

Does anyone think Thompkins could be the WR5 after Amendola, Edelman, Dobson and Boyce? I view those four as locks but could see Thompkins busting through and beating Jenkins and Jones. I think he's an intriguing project but three rookie WRs is probably too much.

I absolutely see Thompkins as having a shot. Part of that is the fact that he's been my binky since being signed - the undrafted kid with the raw talent for a role that the Patriots desperately need.

But it's not just that - he made the most of his opportunity in minicamp and I think Thompkins is the reason Jones was let go - I think Thompkins is going to get some first team reps in camp and if he earns a spot it's his.

If we were deeper at WR I'd be expecting him to develop a phantom IR malady and be red shirted for a year but I think we and the coach both know that we could use the contributions of an X WR immediately.

Beyond that, I don't see keeping 6 WRs is undoable. Edelman contributes on special teams so that's like a two-fer as far as roster spots. Maybe Thompkins can show some ST value too - but the bottom line is that the competition at WR is wide open aside from those I think we all agree are locks, barring injury, in the top 4 spots.

 

[goheels22002]

Collie will never play in the NFL again. He is one bad hit away from being brain dead, no team is going to take that risk and especially not us.

Collie needs to walk away for his own good.

 

[patsinthesnow]

I absolutely see Thompkins as having a shot. Part of that is the fact that he's been my binky since being signed - the undrafted kid with the raw talent for a role that the Patriots desperately need.

But it's not just that - he made the most of his opportunity in minicamp and I think Thompkins is the reason Jones was let go - I think Thompkins is going to get some first team reps in camp and if he earns a spot it's his.

If we were deeper at WR I'd be expecting him to develop a phantom IR malady and be red shirted for a year but I think we and the coach both know that we could use the contributions of an X WR immediately.

Beyond that, I don't see keeping 6 WRs is undoable. Edelman contributes on special teams so that's like a two-fer as far as roster spots. Maybe Thompkins can show some ST value too - but the bottom line is that the competition at WR is wide open aside from those I think we all agree are locks, barring injury, in the top 4 spots.

@MikeReiss: 1 name to keep on the radar for Patriots: Rookie free agent Kenbrell Thompkins. His strong spring has a tie-in of sorts to Jones release.

.@YahooNoise: Name to remember in challenging leagues: Kenbrell Thompkins, WR, NE. Rookie really opened eyes. Reason why Jones was cut. Deep sleeper.

He's the savior!

 

[mgteich]

Danny and the Juniors plus a punt returner? I don't think so.

Does anyone think Thompkins could be the WR5 after Amendola, Edelman, Dobson and Boyce? I view those four as locks but could see Thompkins busting through and beating Jenkins and Jones. I think he's an intriguing project but three rookie WRs is probably too much.

 

[Mack Herron]

Danny and the Juniors plus a punt returner? I don't think so.

the under-the-radar Patriots offensive player who has arguably built more momentum than any other to this point is rookie free-agent receiver Kenbrell Thompkins. Friday's release of veteran receiver Donald Jones, who was due a $200,000 reporting bonus, was tied in part to Thompkins' strong work in the spring, when he was taking first-team repetitions by the end of mandatory minicamp.

The WR position is a huge question mark where neither Boyce nor Dobson has gotten first team reps. If Thompkins continues to outplay the other rookies he will make the roster. Every kid deserves an 8th chance.

He also had a tougher upbringing and was arrested seven times between the ages of 15 and 18.

Quick-hit thoughts on NFL and Pats - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[mgteich]

We might remember players of the past like Childress and Morey. Let's assemble a list of young UDFA wide receivers who looked great in camp and were pre-season heroes. How many made the team? How many were solid contributors for the patriots?

Rookie UDFA WR's are feel-good stories. They are extreme long shots to contribute.

THAT BEING SAID, Belichick may very well consider Thompkins such a great prospect that he uses one of the end of the roster spots for him, expecting him to be inactive all year. After all, the end of the roster is for marginal special teasers, 3rd stringers and developmental players.

The WR position is a huge question mark where neither Boyce nor Dobson has gotten first team reps. If Thompkins continues to outplay the other rookies he will make the roster. Every kid deserves an 8th chance.


Quick-hit thoughts on NFL and Pats - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[Brady6]

Bolden and Edelman on PUP for mid season? What are we talking about here? Neither injuries are that severe. They should be ready in due time, by seasons start.

I'm by no means astute in terms of how BB utilizes his PUP list. I was simply throwing out possibilities based on participation in OTA's. I very well could be wrong though.

 

[Brady6]

Collie needs to walk away for his own good.

Couldn't agree more; it's sad because he was a very good player, but just like Nick Collins last year he needs to look at the next 50-60 years he's likely to be on this earth.

 

[Brady6]

Somebody, Harrison? will get a solid training camp shot at making the 53 by filling a fraction of the role formerly filled by The Prisoner. After Hooman turtled in the playoffs against Baltimore, we don't need cringeworthy players post season.

Great point PWP; I have Harrison and Ford as players who will have an opportunity to make the roster and earn some of the reps previously played by #174594.

 

[VrabelJr]

Great point PWP; I have Harrison and Ford as players who will have an opportunity to make the roster and earn some of the reps previously played by #174594.

I hope these two become studs simply for the fun of their names - Harrison Ford.

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Kenbrell Thompkins will not get cut, and actually IMO ran Donald Jones out of town. With that being said, it will be up to Quentin Sims, Perez Ashford or Michael Jenkins to make some noise.

Aaron Dobson
Danny Amendola
Julian Edelman
Josh Boyce
Kenbrell Thompkins
???????????????
Matthew Slater/ST
/ Shane Vereen RB/WR

 

[dales804]

Danny and the Juniors plus a punt returner? I don't think so.

Okay. So now that Jones is gone, who do you have in his spot?

 

[mgteich]

In HIS spot? I had Jenkins on the team before and after the demise of Jones, as did many others in the media and here.

I did suggest that with 2 rookies, that we might consider keeping another veteran. Hawkins or a player to be signed could take that additional roster spot, if there is one (less likely now).

AT THE START OF TRAINING CAMP
WR (6-7): Amendola, Dobson, Boyce, Edelman, Jenkins, Slater, (Hawkins or free agent).

Okay. So now that Jones is gone, who do you have in his spot?

 

[dales804]

In HIS spot? I had Jenkins on the team before and after the demise of Jones, as did many others in the media and here.

I did suggest that with 2 rookies, that we might consider keeping another veteran. Hawkins or a player to be signed could take that additional roster spot, if there is one (less likely now).

AT THE START OF TRAINING CAMP
WR (6-7): Amendola, Dobson, Boyce, Edelman, Jenkins, Slater, (Hawkins or free agent).

In the roster spot you had designated for Jones. Not the position he would have been playing if he made it to camp.

 

[mgteich]

If there is a 7th WR (the position I had for Jones), I would now expect no one to fill the position. If the position is filled, I would think that a free agent no yet signed would be most likely. Hawkins is also a possibility.

And yes, there is an off-chance that Belichick includes yet another rookie on the 53. I just don't think that he will make that choice. But, I've been wrong before.

In the roster spot you had designated for Jones. Not the position he would have been playing if he made it to camp.

 

[manxman2601]

In HIS spot? I had Jenkins on the team before and after the demise of Jones, as did many others in the media and here.

I did suggest that with 2 rookies, that we might consider keeping another veteran. Hawkins or a player to be signed could take that additional roster spot, if there is one (less likely now).

AT THE START OF TRAINING CAMP
WR (6-7): Amendola, Dobson, Boyce, Edelman, Jenkins, Slater, (Hawkins or free agent).

I'm with you on Jenkins - he has the experience and the size the Patriots seem to be looking for. Even if he might just be a placeholder until they're fully confident Dobson is ready to go, I expect on the first two WR set play we run this season, it will be Jenkins lining up opposite Amendola.

 

[JoeSixPat]

We might remember players of the past like Childress and Morey. Let's assemble a list of young UDFA wide receivers who looked great in camp and were pre-season heroes. How many made the team? How many were solid contributors for the patriots?

Rookie UDFA WR's are feel-good stories. They are extreme long shots to contribute.

THAT BEING SAID, Belichick may very well consider Thompkins such a great prospect that he uses one of the end of the roster spots for him, expecting him to be inactive all year. After all, the end of the roster is for marginal special teasers, 3rd stringers and developmental players.

I (and probably Troy Brown) am inclined to disagree with you. Belichick probably has a higher inclination to give roster spots to those who earn it, regardless of where they were drafted.

And while I don't have stats in front of me, there's been a good number of UFDAs I'm the Patriots in BB's tenure - which is saying something given how strong the team has been (one should expect bottom dwelling teams with more open roster spots to lead those stats)

In this case there is a high need for an X wide receiver, with the competition for that spot wide open

A guy with Thompkins speed also seems to have a leg up on finding a spot on special teams, simply for his ability to get down the field quickly (or perhaps as a returner)

He's been my dark horse since day one, and given how much we need an X I'm pulling for him big time.

 

[fnordcircle]

The only guarantee I'll make is that the WR corps on opening day will be pretty different from the one that ends the season. Injuries, rookies/new players stepping up and a cut or two.

IMO one of either Dobson or Boyce will suffer a season ending 'injury' ala Kliff Kingsbury.

Jenkins, Edelman, Amendola as the day 1 starters at WR.

Hawkins, Slater, Boyce/Dobson as the 3 backups with Hawkins and Slater active.

By week 6 I expect 1 of either Hawkins or Jenkins to be cut with more snaps going to someone else. It just seems to be this team's MO at a position that is a clear work in progress.

 

[mgteich]

First, Troy Brown was a draftee.

1) Please list all the rookie UDFA wide receivers who made the 53 and then contributed. I don't know of any.

2) Belichick does care about when someone was drafted. Every draftee picked in the first four rounds made the 53 in his rookie season. Many later picks have been cut.

3) Rookies take time to learn our system. WR's especially have had a difficult time. By the way, this has been the case for most top wide receivers throughout the league. Rookie wide receivers need a year in the NFL to get up to speed.

4) Belichick is already using two roster spots for rookie wide receivers. I don't think he's done that for a decade (Branch and Givens). Amendola, Jenkins and Edelman gives him three veterans to start the season with, along with the two rookies and Slater. That probably will be all the wide receiver positions.

5) We COULD carry a 7th receiver. If we do, I would favor a vet like Hawkins or a free agent. It seems unlikely that the 53 man roster will have three rookies. It is the mythical 7th WR spot that Thompkins might win. I just don't think it likely.

6) Yes, all the veterans not named Amendola will need to earn their roster spots. Dobson and Boyce are here for at least one season.

I (and probably Troy Brown) am inclined to disagree with you. Belichick probably has a higher inclination to give roster spots to those who earn it, regardless of where they were drafted.

And while I don't have stats in front of me, there's been a good number of UFDAs I'm the Patriots in BB's tenure - which is saying something given how strong the team has been (one should expect bottom dwelling teams with more open roster spots to lead those stats)

In this case there is a high need for an X wide receiver, with the competition for that spot wide open

A guy with Thompkins speed also seems to have a leg up on finding a spot on special teams, simply for his ability to get down the field quickly (or perhaps as a returner)

He's been my dark horse since day one, and given how much we need an X I'm pulling for him big time.

 

[brdmaverick]

Great point PWP; I have Harrison and Ford as players who will have an opportunity to make the roster and earn some of the reps previously played by #174594.

At first I quickly read this as "Harrison Ford" and thought people are really starting to lose their minds, but it turns out it was just me. Damn, time for some football.