With Hobbs gone, the hope would be that Matthew Slater might step in. The Patriots made Slater a fifth-round pick in 2008 with just that in mind, but the UCLA product failed to take the job and run with it his rookie year. He averaged a paltry 14.4 yards on 11 kickoff returns
This does concern me, but im refilling my koolaid as i type Maybe it was just my eyes failing, but it always seemed like Slater would only run straight ahead. A simple cut here, and there, and i think he couldve been long gone with his speed. Bad vision perhaps? Oh well, he was a rookie. We'll see what he can do this preseason
This does concern me, but im refilling my koolaid as i type Maybe it was just my eyes failing, but it always seemed like Slater would only run straight ahead. A simple cut here, and there, and i think he couldve been long gone with his speed. Bad vision perhaps? Oh well, he was a rookie. We'll see what he can do this preseason
BB and O'Brien obviously thought they could get someone to replace Hobbs - my first choice is Maroney with Slater as his lead blocker. People who got down on Slater last season missed what he was doing as Hobbs' lead man and as a Gunner/Outside containment on the coverage units, the kid had a pretty good year. I think it's also worth noting that on his Kick Returns someone else got to be his lead blocker - it makes a difference.
BB and O'Brien obviously thought they could get someone to replace Hobbs - my first choice is Maroney with Slater as his lead blocker. People who got down on Slater last season missed what he was doing as Hobbs' lead man and as a Gunner/Outside containment on the coverage units, the kid had a pretty good year. I think it's also worth noting that on his Kick Returns someone else got to be his lead blocker - it makes a difference.
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