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I came across this article by Mark Daniels via Thursday's Patriots News & Notes 7/3 - Ian's New England Patriots Blog and wanted to share - and get the forum's opinion on whether or not Slater is a roster 'lock'?
Through grit, Patriots special team captain Slater became a special player | Providence Journal.
At some point there will be a player like Kanorris Davis or Nate Ebner that will make Slater expendable, just like Slater replaced Larry Izzo, and Izzo replaced Larry Whigham, etc. But when will that be?
Through grit, Patriots special team captain Slater became a special player | Providence Journal.
The Patriots will report to training camp in exactly 20 days, on July 23, kicking off a period where player’s dreams will either be made or broken. And it wasn’t too long ago when Slater was viewed as a “bubble player.”
It can be hard to register as a “roster lock” when you’re in charge of “grunt work,” as he likes to call it. But as much as special-teams play tends to go unnoticed among certain pundits and fans around the NFL, it’s how Slater has earned his keep.
When the Patriots report to Gillette Stadium at the end of the month, there will be quite a few players looking up to Slater. The perennial Pro Bowler serves as a reminder that special teams is an avenue through which players can earn a spot in the NFL.
“I really haven’t given that a whole lot of thought. I’m happy to help the young guys if they have questions for me. We’re all in this together,” Slater said. “We all have the same goal. Like I said, I still feel like a kid who’s out there in recess, playing football and having a blast. I still have a lot of joy. I’m just so happy to represent this team and play with the teammates I have.”
Slater refuses to look at himself as someone who is guaranteed to make the Patriots, but it’d be hard to imagine him having to fight for a roster spot.
It can be hard to register as a “roster lock” when you’re in charge of “grunt work,” as he likes to call it. But as much as special-teams play tends to go unnoticed among certain pundits and fans around the NFL, it’s how Slater has earned his keep.
When the Patriots report to Gillette Stadium at the end of the month, there will be quite a few players looking up to Slater. The perennial Pro Bowler serves as a reminder that special teams is an avenue through which players can earn a spot in the NFL.
“I really haven’t given that a whole lot of thought. I’m happy to help the young guys if they have questions for me. We’re all in this together,” Slater said. “We all have the same goal. Like I said, I still feel like a kid who’s out there in recess, playing football and having a blast. I still have a lot of joy. I’m just so happy to represent this team and play with the teammates I have.”
Slater refuses to look at himself as someone who is guaranteed to make the Patriots, but it’d be hard to imagine him having to fight for a roster spot.
At some point there will be a player like Kanorris Davis or Nate Ebner that will make Slater expendable, just like Slater replaced Larry Izzo, and Izzo replaced Larry Whigham, etc. But when will that be?