Gasper on Slater

[TB146]

Heres's a nice piece from the Globe today about S/WR/KR Matthew Slater: Calling in a Specialist.

Gasper talks about how return specialists like Devin Hester and Joshua Cribbs have created an opening in the NFL for players with game-changing return abilities (and I've heard nothing but very very positive things about Slater and his kick returns all camp long).

Additionally, Gasper gives insight to Slater's intelligence as evidenced by his lack of mistakes despite playing and learning multiple roles. Also, the quotes from Slater display his smarts and his impressive humility.

I think given his incredible kick return ability, his versatility at multiple positions, his intelligence and level-headedness, Slater makes the 53-man roster.

 

[GostkowSKI]

The more I've read about him, the more it sheds light on to why the Pats traded up to get him.

 

[BelichickFan]

After the draft it was Mayo, Wheatley and Slater who REALLY stood out as mature and men amongst boys of the draftees. The others sounded fine but these three didn't sound like rookies, let alone guys who were just drafted.

 

[Kontradiction]

I didn't realize how big he was. I always thought he was 5'8"-5'9". Never knew he was six feet and almost 200 pounds with that speed he has. He's shifty as hell too. Slater is one of the people I will be watching the most in the pre-season.

 

[PatsFan37]

I didn't realize how big he was. I always thought he was 5'8"-5'9". Never knew he was six feet and almost 200 pounds with that speed he has. He's shifty as hell too. Slater is one of the people I will be watching the most in the pre-season.

Bethel Johnson's size. I wouldn't want to make too many other comparisons, though.

 

[TruthSeeker]

If he plays all season without getting hurt, averages 25+ yards per return with breaking a few long ones, and learns a little about offense & defense, he will be an absolute steal. Not asking him to be a Devin Hester, Hester was drafted higher than his positional production due to his great return abilities.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I think given his incredible kick return ability, his versatility at multiple positions, his intelligence and level-headedness, Slater makes the 53-man roster.

IMO, this was a no-brainer; the Pats don't trade up just for giggles. While they may have wanted Zackary Bowman more, it seems like Slater was a little bit more than an afterthought.

 

[tombonneau]

I didn't realize how big he was. I always thought he was 5'8"-5'9". Never knew he was six feet and almost 200 pounds with that speed he has. He's shifty as hell too. Slater is one of the people I will be watching the most in the pre-season.

Slater is probably the guy I'm watching most, too. I really think a dynamic & dangerous kick returner will do wonders for this team.

I actually wish they had found the equivalent guy for punt returns, as most likely with this D the Pats will be fielding far more punts than kicks, but you can't have it all.

Not sure how much Slater worked on PRs, but with his size frame, he sounds more suited to KRs and less the shiftier PR type.

 

[Kontradiction]

Slater is probably the guy I'm watching most, too. I really think a dynamic & dangerous kick returner will do wonders for this team.

I actually wish they had found the equivalent guy for punt returns, as most likely with this D the Pats will be fielding far more punts than kicks, but you can't have it all.

Not sure how much Slater worked on PRs, but with his size frame, he sounds more suited to KRs and less the shiftier PR type.

You really can't lose here. If Slater pans out and they kick to him, he takes a few to the house. If he pans out and they kick away from him and out of bounds, our offense starts at the 40 yard line. If he doesn't pan out, eh... he's a fifth round draft pick.

 

[spacecrime]

The more I've read about him, the more it sheds light on to why the Pats traded up to get him.

Yeah. Remember the squawking here when BB gave up a 7th round pick to move up to get him?

 

[patsox23]

If BB/Pioli hit on drafting Slater, when everyone (especially me) was tearing their hair out in a major moment of "WTF?!", I will have a hard time criticizing them ever again. They aren't infallible, and they've had their share of misses, but this out-of-leftfield draft selection was almost universally panned. The guy barely played, never found a position (outside of KR) and at one point quit the team. There was barely any video on this kid.

Simpy amazing.

 

[TB146]

IMO, this was a no-brainer; the Pats don't trade up just for giggles. While they may have wanted Zackary Bowman more, it seems like Slater was a little bit more than an afterthought.

I had never heard of Slater, but when I saw that the Pats traded up to get him my first thought was that BB/SP must see value in him and have an idea of how to use him. At first I thought it was just because of his positional versatility - you know how much the Pats love guys who can play multiple positions - but this guy really seems to have a lot going for him.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I had never heard of Slater, but when I saw that the Pats traded up to get him my first thought was that BB/SP must see value in him and have an idea of how to use him. At first I thought it was just because of his positional versatility - you know how much the Pats love guys who can play multiple positions - but this guy really seems to have a lot going for him.

Let me be a little clearer--drafting Slater wasn't necessarily a no-brainer, but Slater making the roster is.

 

[jays52]

A close friend of mine graduated from UCLA this spring and is a little too into their football. About 15 minutes after the pick, my cell rings.

Buddy: Dude, do you know what just happened?
Me: Yeah, we got some return dude...isn't that a little much to be drafted?
Buddy: You're joking right?
Me: No.
Buddy: Remember when we were sitting in your dorm room, swilling beers freshman year and the Pats drafted some tackle/guard from Fresno State and you lept off the futon, spilled beer on the x-box controllers and screamed, "Who the f*ck is Logan Mankins?!"
Me: Yeah....
Buddy: You guys just drafted the best player we've had in years.
Me: Like better than Jones-Drew?
Buddy: Just wait until he gets into camp...

Seems like he's right on.

 

[Kontradiction]

A close friend of mine graduated from UCLA this spring and is a little too into their football. About 15 minutes after the pick, my cell rings.

Buddy: Dude, do you know what just happened?
Me: Yeah, we got some return dude...isn't that a little much to be drafted?
Buddy: You're joking right?
Me: No.
Buddy: Remember when we were sitting in your dorm room, swilling beers freshman year and the Pats drafted some tackle/guard from Fresno State and you lept off the futon, spilled beer on the x-box controllers and screamed, "Who the f*ck is Logan Mankins?!"
Me: Yeah....
Buddy: You guys just drafted the best player we've had in years.
Me: Like better than Jones-Drew?
Buddy: Just wait until he gets into camp...

Seems like he's right on.

I'm sure your friend follows UCLA closely and his opinion is valuable, but I doubt he's better than Jones-Drew.

 

[ScottieC]

I'm sure your friend follows UCLA closely and his opinion is valuable, but I doubt he's better than Jones-Drew.

Well, he won't play as much so his contribution won't be as recognized and as such he will not be seen as better then that little Fella. Follow that?

 

[jays52]

I'm sure your friend follows UCLA closely and his opinion is valuable, but I doubt he's better than Jones-Drew.

As do I and I still rip on him for saying that. He seems pretty convinced though.

 

[Kontradiction]

As do I and I still rip on him for saying that. He seems pretty convinced though.

Don't get me wrong, I hope he's right. I just really, really, really doubt it.

 

[TB146]

Patriots Today has a couple of minutes of Monday's video devoted to Slater.

Find it here.

 

[BelichickFan]

Don't get me wrong, I hope he's right. I just really, really, really doubt it.

Given that Slater has no position, it's basically impossible that he's better than Jones Drew. If the discussion is about Slater as a returner, though, I could definitely see it.