Pats select KR/STer/FS/WR/CB/Track Matt Slater with 153rd overall pick

[pats1]

6'1", 198, out of UCLA.

 

[PatsFan24]

Re: Pats select WR/FS Matt Slater with 153rd overall pick

well they need a WR

 

[tatepatsfan]

Re: Pats select WR/FS Matt Slater with 153rd overall pick

http://uclabruins.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/slater_matt00.html

I don't think he's really a WR (nice work ESPN). He plays WR, but also in the secondary and looks to be a solid special teams player.

 

[pats1]

Re: Pats select WR/FS/CB Matt Slater with 153rd overall pick

Jackie Slater's son.

Started at WR, then FS, then CB, then WR.

A backup safety and kick returner type.

 

[Lockdown06]

Re: Pats select WR/FS/CB Matt Slater with 153rd overall pick

special teams ace - maybe similar to the role kelly washington currently plays?

 

[JoeSixPat]

Re: Pats select WR/FS/CB Matt Slater with 153rd overall pick

Obviously they wanted this kid enough to move up and grab him

 

[WhiskeyBreath]

Re: Pats select WR/FS/CB Matt Slater with 153rd overall pick

special teams ace - maybe similar to the role kelly washington currently plays?

I'll take it.

 

[pats1]

Re: Pats select KR/FS/WR/CB Matt Slater with 153rd overall pick

According to an article Erik Scalavino is reading, Slater got hurt, moved to CB, and considered playing track instead.

 

[BJ_McWild]

Re: Pats select KR/FS/WR/CB Matt Slater with 153rd overall pick

"Matt Slater might be the best special teams player ever, in the history of football," said UCLA punter Aaron Perez, who at first was skeptical of having Slater as a gunner but was convinced after one play.

"I'm going out on a limb to say that, but the kid will go from returning a kick, three plays later go out and bang someone playing gunner, and when they go three-and-out, he will squash them at the line so they can't get down and we return a punt. He's amazing on special teams."

http://www.pe.com/sports/college/ucla/stories/PE_Sports_Local_D_ucla_15.3beb2d9.html

 

[gomezcat]

A quick google search suggests he has blazing speed and can hit hard, as well as return. Could be interesting. We'll see- anything at this stage in the draft is a bonus.

 

[VJCPatriot]

He's a ST gunner/ace.

 

[Jr.]

what a fing waste of pick.

 

[BelichickFan]

what a fing waste of pick.

Yeah, who cares about Special Teams anyway.

 

[JoePats]

Between additions Aiken and Slater, Washington, throw in Izzo and a few starters are usually on special teams the coverage units should be better than last year, and they were pretty good last year.

 

[ClevTrev]

Most teams draft guys in the 4th through 7th rounds hoping they can make the depth chart at a certain position and possibly contribute to special teams.

The Patriots draft Slater specifically and strategically to add to their special teams. That's the difference between successful teams and the also rans. I love this move. Best player available at the time who can immediately contribute to one of the most important units on the club, special teams.

 

[Topher]

Between additions Aiken and Slater, Washington, throw in Izzo and a few starters are usually on special teams the coverage units should be better than last year, and they were pretty good last year.

The problem is that you can only carry so many guys on the game day roster that are there solely for their special teams play. If this kid is purely a special teams guy, he will have to be really good t it to make the team.

 

[Blizzzard]

Re: Pats select WR/FS/CB Matt Slater with 153rd overall pick

special teams ace - maybe similar to the role kelly washington currently plays?

Is it possible this moves paves the way for Washington to be used alot more as a receiver? I doubt they would put Jackson out there full time right away. So maybe this also has something to do with it

 

[TruthSeeker]

Man, this guy sounds like he's incredibly versatile ! Worth a shot as a 5th rounder. Plus has NFL bloodlines. Also size AND speed. Sounds like a good project.

 

[SavioKid]

Man, this guy sounds like he's incredibly versatile ! Worth a shot as a 5th rounder. Plus has NFL bloodlines. Also size AND speed. Sounds like a good project.

Ditto...but more especially for ST which some people forget is an important 1/3 part of the game like O & D!!

6th rounder is going to be a OL / DL (of course it will not be now)

 

[sebman2112]

Very good kick returner, who scored 3 TD's and averaged 30.9 yards per return on 30 returns. He was a 2007 All-Pac-10 First team KR (as voted by coaches), and his three KR TD's in 2007 tied Antony Davis's long held Pac-10 single season record.

Actual size:
5'10.5"
195lbs

Ran the forty in 4.44