Patriots receiver Kyle Williams speeds to a 69-yard TD Saturday night vs. the Eagles at Gillette Stadiuim. (AP photo)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass – Kyle Williams has been the shiny toy the New England Patriots can’t take their eyes off of.

We saw on one play, his 69-yard TD reception on Saturday night in the Patriots 24-21 preseason win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium, why that is.

I just want to give Kyle as many opportunities to continue to improve and do the things that we have asked him to improve on, and he knows he needs to improve on,” Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said. “And I love his ability outside the numbers to be able to stretch the field. And we wanted to give him some more opportunities to be able too do that as well as work on some of the stuff that Todd and Josh have him trying to improve on.”

Williams certainly feels he’s made strides.

“Being physical for sure, and comfortability into the system,” Williams said. “Being comfortable in my role and being able to take that with a whole lot of, I would say, accountability toward that and making good decisions.”

It’s a crowded wide receiver room, and some still feel Williams is fighting for a spot.

“I’ve always been confident in my game; it’s being consistent,honestly,” Williams said. “We have a great group of guys, it’s friendly competition. Iron sharpens iron.”

Well, the iron was hot when Patriots backup QB Tommy DeVito threw a dime and hit Williams in stride for that big TD in the first half.

“We got the look that I wanted, press coverage, something I enjoy seeing,” Williams said. “Tommy taking a chance on me, what a great throw, honestly. We’ve been on point this whole camp.”

That is what the Patriots may feel is his best asset – speed and getting behind the defender deep.

“It’s something I good at, I would say,” Williams said. “I wouldn’t say that’s my biggest asset but it’s something that I’m good at. All 11 players have to be on the same page; the line being able to hold up their blocks, without them that play wouldn’t have been made. I did my one-eleventh, everybody else did theirs, and that’s how those plays come to fruition.”

Williams says he doesn’t think about what could happen – who stays and who goes this time next week.

“Not too much honestly … I feel like we’re all prepared,” he said. “When that moment comes, I know I’m going to be ready.”

That’s because Williams feels he’s improving daily.

“Day by day, brick by brick,” Williams said. “If I feel like I wasn’t getting better, I’d be shooting myself in the foot. Everyone around me pushes me. … The sky’s the limit. Approaching every day like it’s my last, just trying to get better, take it stride by stride.”

He certainly hit his stride on Saturday night.