With Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola likely locking up the top two receiving spots on the New England Patriots wide receiver depth chart, a role on the starting roster is slim pickings.
With Aaron Dobson back in the mix, he, Kenbrell Thompkins, Josh Boyce and Brandon LaFell will be battling for the likely two or three remaining spots the team will carry at the position, not to mention for playing time.
LaFell, the newcomer to the group this season, acknowledged Wednesday the cutthroat-type atmosphere in Foxborough this time of year.
"It's pressure on everybody — all 11 guys because you have to do your job right," he said, via WEEI.com. "There are guys right behind that are as hungry as you and you don'€™t want to be the guy out there making different mistakes on this play, that play and end up getting subbed out."
As far as workouts this week, LaFell has certainly dialed up the intensity, and his teammates — particularly the veteran signal-caller he's working to build a relationship with — have noticed.
"I've really enjoyed being with him," Tom Brady said following Wednesday's joint workout with the Eagles. "He's added a lot. He's got a real love for the game, and he does a great job out there getting open.
"He just keeps making more plays. It's really fun for a quarterback to see guys out there really working hard to make the improvements and then really do it, and hopefully it continues to carry over. It's been a lot of fun to be with him."
Check out more from Brady's post-workout press conference here, and hear how LaFell plans to help out in the red zone here.
