Archives for July 28, 2013

Another big day for wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins and Kamar Aiken. Both players got off the line well and made several nice plays. Thompkins has been used almost exclusively on the outside, while Aiken has lined up both on the inside and outside. Aiken had a nice back-shoulder catch during one-on-one drills. Probably rookie Josh Boyce’s best practice. He runs crisp routes, got off the line well and had flashed better hands after dropping a few passes Saturday. He’s received snaps at all three receiver spots.

At 6’2" and 215 pounds, Aiken has the kind of size that’s been missing from the Patriots depth chart at receiver for the past few years as the team has struggled to find players to win matchups on the outside. Over the first few days of camp, we’ve seen him line up both outside and in the slot. He has shown an impressive ability to get off jams and to make catches in traffic. His drops have been few and far between. That’s about as positive a review as a receiver can get at this point.

Good recap of today’s first pads practice.