10 Things We Learned from Patriots Training Camp So Far
Rounding up the latest and most interesting bits of info so far in my latest B/R piece.
Game week is here. Kinda. But still…
https://www.patspropaganda.com/game-week-is-here-kinda-but-still/
Kenbrell Thompkins Has Been Best Rookie Wide Receiver at Patriots Training Camp | New England Patriots | NESN.com
Good stuff from Doug Kyed, excited to see what Thompkins does on Friday.
While Dosbon excels on the big play, going up over defenders with his leaping skills and deep speed, he struggles to make more intricate cuts in his route running. And while Boyce’s strengths lie in his agility, route running and speed out of breaks, he’ll struggle at contending for the ball in air. Thompkins appears to excel in all areas through eight practices. He had no trouble getting open in the short field, due to his quick feet and precise cuts and he has a penchant for big plays, whether it’s cruising down the field past defenders for a deep ball or winning an in-air jump ball.
It’s different for me because I never, ever tried to do that,” Spikes said of learning the defense as a whole. “But as far as knowing where everyone is supposed to be, where they’re going to be, the pre-snap reads, the post-snap reads, it just helps me out. As far as reading schemes, I’m noticing formations and stuff like that. Bill is always on me, ‘Don’t get complacent. Do more and more, and the better you are, the better we are.’ I try to be accountable.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/its-different-for-me-because-i-never-ever-tried/
Name the five best running backs in 2004 Patriots history. Di-llon, Di-llon, Di-llon, Di-llon and Di-llon, because he ran with hot fire.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/name-the-five-best-running-backs-in-2004-patriots/
Amendola, meanwhile, is a marvel to watch in practice — his technique and precise route-running are impeccable — and he can very much replicate Wes Welker if he can stay healthy. “I think he and Tommy have established a certain chemistry between them,” owner Robert Kraft told SiriusXM last week. “I’m really happy to see the physical connection that they seem to have made.”
https://www.patspropaganda.com/amendola-meanwhile-is-a-marvel-to-watch-in/
Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Pats – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Pats – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
Nugget on Spikes below and not entirely unexpected, we pondered if Hightower was headed to more MLB time all offseason.
One line of thinking was that Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes stayed away from the team’s voluntary offseason program to give himself the best chance to become a three-down linebacker in the team’s system. But through eight training camp practices, it doesn’t seem like that is where things are decisively headed. More often than not, Spikes has been coming off the field in sub packages, and in some cases, top draft pick Jamie Collins (second round, 52nd overall) is coming on to add more speed and athleticism. It’s still early, but if anything, it looks like second-year linebacker Dont’a Hightower, not Spikes, might be primed to stay on the field more in passing situations.