WR Kenbrell Thompkins, dumped by Patriots, finds role with Jets
8:00 AM ET
Rich Cimini
ESPN Staff Writer
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New England Patriots are known for finding useful players on the NFL scrap heap and plugging them into contributing roles. Early this season, the New York Jets found a player in that fashion -- wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins, who, ironically, was tossed to the heap by the Patriots.
In 2013, Thompkins caught 32 passes for the Patriots as an undrafted rookie, but he was sent packing during the 2014 season. He returned to the Patriots earlier this season, on the practice squad, but that lasted only three weeks.
What happened?
"He has provided a great example for everybody, especially the young guys in this locker room," Ryan Fitzpatrick said of Kenbrell Thompkins. Elsa/Getty Images
"I don't know," Thompkins said Wednesday. "It's something you have to ask Bill [Belichick]."
The Jets are glad they have him.
After placing rookie Devin Smith on injured reserve last week, they turned to Thompkins as their No. 4 receiver. He responded with one of the biggest plays in last week's win over the Dallas Cowboys, a 43-yard reception that set up the game-winning field goal.
"I feel like I've got a lot more to show," said Thompkins, who will face his former team on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Thompkins has quite a story. He grew up in the notorious Liberty City section of Miami and was arrested seven times before his 19th birthday. When he was 7, he accidentally shot himself in the arm with a handgun. He bounced around to different high schools and different colleges, landing at the University of Cincinnati. From all indications, he has cleaned up his life.
"I just go out there and play ball, not worrying about what anyone thinks of me or how anyone feels," said Thompkins, who also spent time with the Oakland Raiders. "I'm just trying to learn from every mistake I've made and keep pushing."
He has made a positive impression with the Jets. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick lauded Thompkins' work ethic, saying he's one of the first players to arrive every morning.
"He has provided a great example for everybody, especially the young guys in this locker room," Fitzpatrick said. "A guy that has just, he’s the same person every day, he works harder than everybody and hopefully we’ll continue to see some results from him"
In Dallas, Thompkins approached Fitzpatrick early in the game and told him he could get open against a Cover-2 because he felt the cornerback was "lazy" in his technique. Fitzpatrick remembered that in the clutch, hitting him for 43 yards -- one of the biggest plays of the year.
"To me, he’s a pretty intelligent football player," offensive coordinator Chan Gailey said of Thompkins, who has 13 receptions for 138 yards.
The Jets weren't sure what they had in Thompkins when he arrived in October. It's amazing what you can find in a scrap heap.
