JSn

I'll start by saying I like Law Firm and would love to see him make the team. Lately I've seen other BJGE supporters suggest him to be more valuable than Slater. That absolutely cannot be true.

Even watching Friday's game in a distracted manner you had to notice that MS was CONSTANTLY in on the play on STs. Even his fair catch interference call was a minor issue, which can be fixed.

I get that we usually monitor guys for their value across the team, and in a major pinch Matt could play WR or S, but there's no need for him there and we'd have to have a serious visitation of the angel of football death to need him for that.

Still, it's been said over and over how important this guy is to special teams and after a few PS games, it's pretty clear that's true.

I think I left Slater off an earlier roster projection, but at this point, with some closer viewing of what he brings, it's awfully hard for me to do that.

What do you guys think? Is Slater REALLY on the bubble? I personally can't see how he would be replaced.

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patsfan13

Either Aiken or Slater, not both.

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jefmblrd

Granted he got the stupid penalty on the punt against the Redskins, but the guy goes all out and is right around the ball and making plays on STs. I say he makes the team.

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JSn

I think this was the second time this PS he has taken that penalty, but I think that's a question of self-training. It's tough to be the first guy to the ball and also have the brakes to slow off a last second wave for an FC. And his coaching probably tells him to make the guy nervous so he might drop the punt.

Also, the comment about Aiken - maybe true, but the guy is a decent receiver and good special teamer. I like his ST play, as well.

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convertedpatsfan

I don't think we're undervaluing STs, but it's a pretty stacked roster, and that competition affects the ST. There'll be some tough cuts coming up, so yeah, Slater is on the bubble, as are a bunch of guys who could easily make other teams in the league. It's a matter of how many specialists we think we can keep.

RayClay

I'm fine with strong special teams, but it's unfair to compare him to Aikens. Aikens is a legitimate backup receiver.

If Slater would at least run back one decent return instead of running straight into the first guy and collapsing and running into kick receivers with his arms flailing so the refs are forced to call something, I'd feel a lot better about him getting down first on kicks, which he usually does.

How many years before he gets over this case of nerves, or is the guy just not really under control?

He needs to run back kicks, that's supposed to be his strength, and quit fumbling and getting dumb penalties.

It's not like you need a first round pick to find a guy who can run down the field and still pull up at a fair catch signal. I mean that's supposed to be his job (plus kick returning where Patrick Pass outperformed what I've seen so far).

Plus he has no legitimate position. Calling him a "safety" is a joke, he was a "wide receiver" last year.

Kelley Washington did a good job, made big plays without constant brain farts and was a legitimate receiver with some starts on his resume.

Let's judge him as any other player looking for a roster spot. He's a special teamer and supposed kick returner with no position coverage on the regular team.

With that narrow a window, he needs to excel at the two things he can do, without making mistakes on a regular basis in the one job he's actually good at.

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Ryan

He may be around the ball a lot on special teams, but that's about it. He makes a lot of mistakes (fair catch interference penalty two weeks in a row, muffed kick returns), isn't a good return guy at all, and brings nothing to the table as a receiver. I think Slater is in great danger of being cut. Aiken is far more worthy of a roster spot.

tbrown

Agree with you here..the more I think about it, Slater is more than likely going to be on the team. And Aiken as well. I'm getting more and more concerned about Tedy making it. The last few spots are VERY tough to call, but what a great position to be in.

signbabybrady

Here is the way I see it he was drafted in the 5th round (i believe) and he was drafted to be a STs player. He was second in STs tackles last year and a core STer. This year he has shown improvement. His one downside is ball handling which we all thought wouldn't be a problem that has seemed better though he is still scary with the ball. Two bonehead penalties don't change that.

So he has done everything he can to do the job he was drafted for and people think he should be cut for it. If he gets cut it wont because of what he did but because of what someone else did to win his spot.

For those who hate on him I suggest you watch him as a gunner vs the vice guys. He seems to always beat them off the line.

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spacecrime

It's not clear to me. Just what has he done noteworthy?

And if his stupid interference penalties are so easily corrected, why did it happen twice? If it was easy to correct, it would have been corrected after the first one.

He is very easily replacable, and in the best way. You can cut him AND get his jobs done BETTER and use his roster spot for another player, one who can produce. Win-win-win

I don't want him as gunner. Period. Fifteen yards may not be much to you, but it is unacceptable to me.

And I'd rather have Edelman or Welker as punt returner, I'd rather have Maroney or Edelman as kick returner. Slater is the leastof our WRs way behind even Ventrone. Slater might or might not be okay as a safety, because not being able to catch a ball isn't so bad but interfering with a ball catcher's ability to catch a pass (hitting him before the ball gets there) is not good.

I DO value special teams, and that is why I'd rather not see Slater any more.

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“When we look at the board, based on everything we want in a football player at that particular time, we evaluate them and take the player that fits best for our football team. That’s what we always do, and I think the last nine years we’ve put a pretty competitive team out there on the field every year. I think that’s how you do it – you get good football players. Sometimes they are not always at the No. 1 position, but I don’t think you pass up good football players to get the guys who aren’t as good just because they’re at a position that somebody feels you need.”
BB on his draft philosophy, April 2010