Jets sign Kenbrell Thompkins to practice squad; release Walt Powell
- Thread starter Elias
- Start date
Highly regarded his first year with the PAts... had a lot of drops though
Wow, I thought Powell played well enough in training camp to make our 53 let alone the P.S. ? Very surprised.
Go Jets...Cyborg
Go Jets...Cyborg
Me too!
E
EXPRESS2PENN
Guest
Not crazy about this move. Powell played well and is younger. This guy Thompkins waw giving Brady headaches with the drops.
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flgreen
Guest
KENBRELL THOMPKINSWR CINCINNATI
Photo of Kenbrell Thompkins
GRADE
51.7
?
4.54 SEC
8 REPS
33.5 INCH
121.0 INCH
6.88 SEC
4.21 SEC
11.90 SEC
6'1"
HEIGHT
32 1/4"
ARM LENGTH
193LBS.
WEIGHT
8 3/4"
HANDS
MORE COMBINE VIDEO
OVERVIEW
Thompkins had planned on finishing his collegiate career at the University of Tennessee, but then-Volunteers head coach Lane Kiffin left after the junior college transfer had signed his letter of intent. Naturally, Thompkins looked into other schools since his coach was no longer in Knoxville; unfortunately, the NCAA decided that coaches are allowed more mobility than players, forcing Thompkins to sit out the 2010 season before beginning his career with the Bearcats. Why Cincinnati, you ask? One reason might have been that his cousin, Antonio Brown, played for UC head coach Butch Jones at Central Michigan before going to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He played in all 13 games, starting 12, as a junior in 2011, finishing second on the team with 44 receptions for 536 yards and two scores. At El Camino Community College, he led the Warriors in catches (69), receiving yards (1,020) and receiving touchdowns (nine) in 2009. Although Thompkins suited up for Miami’s famed Northwestern program, he wasn’t a star like his younger brother Kendal (now a senior receiver at the University of Miami). In fact, he was arrested several times during high school and didn’t think about taking up football until at age 19; but seeing Kendal get his offer from Miami pushed him to turn his athleticism into a career.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS Possesses just enough size and speed to play outside in the NFL, yet also has enough quickness to find room to run from the slot. Willing to take hits on crossers, and his strong hands allow him to catch balls away from his frame whether challenged or on his own. Goes up and fight for jump balls. Owns the foot quickness and flexibility to drop his hips and cut on outs and comebacks routes, and also the shake and hands off the line to beat press coverage. A physical blocker for run plays and quick screens, extending his arms and mirroring to sustain on the outside and crashing down on linebackers to create running room on off-tackle runs. Uses that physicality to separate from cornerbacks downfield, using his length to extend just before the ball arrives.
WEAKNESSES Doesn’t necessarily explode off the line, and it takes him a bit of time to get to top speed. Won’t have a size and strength advantage against most NFL cornerbacks. Keeping his feet after making catches downfield would help him get into the end zone more regularly.
NFL COMPARISON Andre Caldwell
BOTTOM LINE A junior college transfer originally headed to Tennessee before Lane Kiffin left for USC, Thompkins showed promise as a junior for the Bearcats (44 receptions, 536 yards, two TD) after sitting out a redshirt season. Since he’s not elite in his speed or size, Thompkins won’t be a top prospect – but it won’t be surprising if he shines as an intermediate threat who could become a solid number two or three receiver at the next level.
Photo of Kenbrell Thompkins
GRADE
51.7
?
4.54 SEC
8 REPS
33.5 INCH
121.0 INCH
6.88 SEC
4.21 SEC
11.90 SEC
6'1"
HEIGHT
32 1/4"
ARM LENGTH
193LBS.
WEIGHT
8 3/4"
HANDS
MORE COMBINE VIDEO
OVERVIEW
Thompkins had planned on finishing his collegiate career at the University of Tennessee, but then-Volunteers head coach Lane Kiffin left after the junior college transfer had signed his letter of intent. Naturally, Thompkins looked into other schools since his coach was no longer in Knoxville; unfortunately, the NCAA decided that coaches are allowed more mobility than players, forcing Thompkins to sit out the 2010 season before beginning his career with the Bearcats. Why Cincinnati, you ask? One reason might have been that his cousin, Antonio Brown, played for UC head coach Butch Jones at Central Michigan before going to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He played in all 13 games, starting 12, as a junior in 2011, finishing second on the team with 44 receptions for 536 yards and two scores. At El Camino Community College, he led the Warriors in catches (69), receiving yards (1,020) and receiving touchdowns (nine) in 2009. Although Thompkins suited up for Miami’s famed Northwestern program, he wasn’t a star like his younger brother Kendal (now a senior receiver at the University of Miami). In fact, he was arrested several times during high school and didn’t think about taking up football until at age 19; but seeing Kendal get his offer from Miami pushed him to turn his athleticism into a career.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS Possesses just enough size and speed to play outside in the NFL, yet also has enough quickness to find room to run from the slot. Willing to take hits on crossers, and his strong hands allow him to catch balls away from his frame whether challenged or on his own. Goes up and fight for jump balls. Owns the foot quickness and flexibility to drop his hips and cut on outs and comebacks routes, and also the shake and hands off the line to beat press coverage. A physical blocker for run plays and quick screens, extending his arms and mirroring to sustain on the outside and crashing down on linebackers to create running room on off-tackle runs. Uses that physicality to separate from cornerbacks downfield, using his length to extend just before the ball arrives.
WEAKNESSES Doesn’t necessarily explode off the line, and it takes him a bit of time to get to top speed. Won’t have a size and strength advantage against most NFL cornerbacks. Keeping his feet after making catches downfield would help him get into the end zone more regularly.
NFL COMPARISON Andre Caldwell
BOTTOM LINE A junior college transfer originally headed to Tennessee before Lane Kiffin left for USC, Thompkins showed promise as a junior for the Bearcats (44 receptions, 536 yards, two TD) after sitting out a redshirt season. Since he’s not elite in his speed or size, Thompkins won’t be a top prospect – but it won’t be surprising if he shines as an intermediate threat who could become a solid number two or three receiver at the next level.
As a side note I know he and Matt Simms were joined at the hip at the same junior college where they both excelled. This got them noticed and then signed by Kiffin at Tennessee before he left for USC.
http://www.si.com/more-sports/2010/09/02/simms-thompkins
It's not a quick read but it sheds some light on his character and background.
http://www.si.com/more-sports/2010/09/02/simms-thompkins
It's not a quick read but it sheds some light on his character and background.
I liked Walter Powell, but I can't complain about this move, Thompkins is still only 27 and he provides veteran depth on the PS, and the dude has some talent, nice size too, the type of WR Chan Gailey likes in his system. I was pretty high on Thompkins at Cinci and I thought the Patriots stole one with this kid. Glad it didn't workout that way for them, but I like the addition for us, not a bad insurance policy to stash on the PS.
U
ucrenegade
Guest
I think it is because powell is one dimensional to be honest gailey likes wr's who can block on the run and this kid can and has the same speed as powell that would be my guess.
Physicality and blocking seem to be two important criteria for Gailey's WRs, or else Kerley would be seeing a lot more action.
Its the one who played for the Pats.
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flgreen
Guest
Good point
good point. plus devin smith is a similar type of WR who can also contribute on special teams (he was an excellent gunner in college and while he didn't do all that much, did return some kicks)