Slater the real deal at Safety?

[JSn]

I'm just wondering, do you think Slater might turn out to be a bonafide NFL safety? He sure looked good in pre-season and he's got speed, not a thing we're over-burdened with at safety right now.

Thoughts?

 

[signbabybrady]

I'm just wondering, do you think Slater might turn out to be a bonafide NFL safety? He sure looked good in pre-season and he's got speed, not a thing we're over-burdened with at safety right now.

Thoughts?

He has looked pretty good but still has a way to go to be a bonified safety. But he has a real good thing going for his chances there and that is that he seems like he will have a STs spot locked up which will give him the time to develope his safety play.

 

[DaBruinz]

I'm just wondering, do you think Slater might turn out to be a bonafide NFL safety? He sure looked good in pre-season and he's got speed, not a thing we're over-burdened with at safety right now.

Thoughts?

Slater is Bob Sanders small for a safety. I think its much more likely he'll be a reserve dime back and special teams maven than someone who will see regular reps next to Meriweather or Harrison.

 

[Mack Herron]

Slater looked great coming up in support (causing a fumble). He has the size, attitude, and speed to play FS, which is what UCLA thought too, but he could not make it there and is completely inexperienced. I have no idea about the other qualifications, but he would have to be considered a project there. I think he has to make it on STs.

 

[PonyExpress]

Slater is Bob Sanders small for a safety. I think its much more likely he'll be a reserve dime back and special teams maven than someone who will see regular reps next to Meriweather or Harrison.

Meriweather's nfldraftscout height weight is 5'10.5'' 195 lbs.

Slater's NFLdraftscout height weight is 5'10.5'' 195 lbs.

Eugene Wilson's nfldraftscout height weight is 5'10.3'' 192 lbs.

Slater may not make it at FS, but not because of his h/w.

 

[BelichickFan]

Slater is Bob Sanders small for a safety.

Slater's listed size is virtually identical to that of Meriweather. Sanders is a tough comp as he's short but thick.

 

[JSn]

Meriweather's nfldraftscout height weight is 5'10.5'' 195 lbs.

Slater's NFLdraftscout height weight is 5'10.5'' 195 lbs.

Eugene Wilson's nfldraftscout height weight is 5'10.3'' 192 lbs.

Slater may not make it at FS, but not because of his h/w.

So... your saying those guys are too small to play safety. Well, I guess they're on the chopping block.

How about Slater as FS/Corner if he can develop? I mean if he can be a sure tackle and knock down passes, I think speed gives him a big edge. I'd like him as FS, personally, but I'm curious if chameleon = bust almost as often it equals stealth depth.

 

[Pats726]

And he might also be a wideout as well...I think the ST play and being able to fill in makes him valuable...

 

[wdkantro2]

Eventually, he could develop into a legitimate contributor on defense. Right now, though, it seems like all his tools are raw and all he really has are his physical gifts to rely on. He should be great on special teams and could play safety in super-emergency situations. I'd much rather have a guy with his tools as my last safety than a guy like Dexter Reid (see Eagles super bowl).

 

[Jackson 2]

And he might also be a wideout as well...I think the ST play and being able to fill in makes him valuable...

Yeah, I think moving around so much due to his versatility may have prevented him from concentrating enough on one position, but that versatility is also what makes him so valuable. I think he makes the team and may eventually find a home at one spot, but he's a pretty good guy to have around right now.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

If he makes it as a Safety purely i wouldnt be happy seeing him in that number 18.

It would just look to weird out there.

 

[JSn]

How fast is this guy? Could he ever challenge CJack for a wide-out role, or maybe become a deep threat on the occasional 4-5 WR set?

I like the guy, I'll be honest. I hope he someday becomes one of those pro-bowlers that almost never entered the NFL at all.

He's FAST and CAN PLAY FOOTBALL. That's pretty uncommon on the Patriots, hehe

 

[BradyToMoss]

I thought Slater looked real good in run support, he was quick and read the plays nicely. His speed would also allow him to cover the deep zone and allow Rodney/Brandon/Lynch to cheat up. I think he's a WIP, with high upside at FS, he just needs the reps. Kind of wished that he got Spann's reps this preseason

 

[DW Toys]

I thought Slater looked real good in run support, he was quick and read the plays nicely. His speed would also allow him to cover the deep zone and allow Rodney/Brandon/Lynch to cheat up. I think he's a WIP, with high upside at FS, he just needs the reps. Kind of wished that he got Spann's reps this preseason

Correct me if I am wrong but I saw him line up as CB for some snaps. He looked decent on those plays. He is bigger than any of our corners and has speed. Why not develop him into a hybrid there?
I was not convinced when they drafted him, but I see an upside. He always hustles and sticks his nose in there.
DW Toys

 

[BradyToMoss]

Correct me if I am wrong but I saw him line up as CB for some snaps. He looked decent on those plays. He is bigger than any of our corners and has speed. Why not develop him into a hybrid there?
I was not convinced when they drafted him, but I see an upside. He always hustles and sticks his nose in there.
DW Toys

You might be on to something here DWT, CB or FS, I think Slater has a future at either one of these positions. For now, I think he could be a pretty solid slot CB based on his quickness and instincts. The kid just needs reps at either position. Unfortunately for him, the preseason is over and he won't be able to get those reps, which kind of angers me that we had to see Spann take those valuable reps.

 

[spacecrime]

Meriweather's nfldraftscout height weight is 5'10.5'' 195 lbs.

Slater's NFLdraftscout height weight is 5'10.5'' 195 lbs.

Eugene Wilson's nfldraftscout height weight is 5'10.3'' 192 lbs.

Slater may not make it at FS, but not because of his h/w.

Hey, whoa! Stop introducing facts into hot-topic discussions.

I believe this is your second warning

 

[spacecrime]

You might be on to something here DWT, CB or FS, I think Slater has a future at either one of these positions. For now, I think he could be a pretty solid slot CB based on his quickness and instincts. The kid just needs reps at either position. Unfortunately for him, the preseason is over and he won't be able to get those reps, which kind of angers me that we had to see Spann take those valuable reps.

It is like with Givens.

Once it became apparent that Givens was to be active every game for STs, a couple plays were incorporated into the planthat used him, and he got to showcase his talents a bit and get better.

Same with Slater. First, get yourself on the active roster every game (STs). Then when you get into the game when multiple DBs are put in (or there are injuries) show your stuff.

That seems to be a way to work your way onto a BB roster.

 

[WhiZa]

I think he's better than Andrews. His cutting was going to happen anyway the way Slater has played.

 

[patchick]

I think he's a WIP, with high upside at FS, he just needs the reps. Kind of wished that he got Spann's reps this preseason

Yeah, it's easy to fall in love with jack of all trades guys (exhibit A: Ventrone), but in Slater's case I think he was held back a bit by the need to experiment and find him a position. From this laywoman's view, Slater shows most promise as a safety, Ventrone as a slot receiver -- the reverse of how they started camp, IIRC.

Assuming he makes the roster as a core ST player, I'd like to see Slater drop the Mr. Versatility role and focus on becoming an NFL free safety.

 

[pats_premi]

Against the Giants, I think Slater and Lynch were probably the most impressive players. Slater appeared to fearless going after the ball carrier, unlike Wheatley, Bryant, Spann. In this last game, his tackling in the open field appeared to be better than most DB's on the patriots roster.