Slater Haters: Are we undervaluing STs?

[patsox23]

-- #1 Gunner.
-- #1 Lead Blocker.
-- #1 Gunner Blocker.
-- A top coverage tackler.
-- His returns suffer from not having a more effective lead blocker. His "average" is affected by squib kicks from short-legged thunder foots, he's picking up enough yardage when he gets a clean kick to make up for the loss of yardage on the dribbler kicks.
-- Ball handling is only an issue if people ignore the short-legged kickers who have dribbled the ball down the field, Slater has actually shown good ball skills and awareness to pick the ball up or cover it vs the situation.

As said elsewhere, Slater is a lock.

I think you're right.

This is a good, thoughtful thread. I'm one of those quick to pounce on ANY guy who gets called for freakin' interference n a punt return, especially one that does so TWICE. However, the more I read here and elsewhere, the more I think it's possible he sticks. Still not a fan, but I do acknowledge he does other things well. Don't count his LONG STRIDING, SLOW LOOKING kick-off returns as one of them, though.

 

[JSn]

I'd probably cut Ventrone or Alexander first and ask them to stay on the shadow roster for an early opening.

Ventrone gets cut before Alexander, imo. Tough cuts both. There's no doubt that many Pats cuts will find work FAST. Prolly up in Buffalo...

 

[RayClay]

So what about Circui on teams? Can't we improve our overall roster?

Alexander is just a horrible linebacker.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Dude! Ain't nothing goin' on but the rent! (Ok, and this delicious sea bass that I'm eating for brunch)

Pork loin and taters fresh from the garden this a.m.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

So what about Circui on teams? Can't we improve our overall roster?

Alexander is just a horrible linebacker.

If you consider that an upgrade we can help you lobby for your new job with Rexy Sexy.

 

[RayClay]

If you consider that an upgrade we can help you lobby for your new job with Rexy Sexy.

Well Alexander's useless on the roster. I don't have cans of film to go over on special teams, but it seems you're saying no one could play special teams except the four you mentioned.

If that's the case, we've done a poor job in trying to locate good special teamers who can provide roster depth in emergencies.

 

[Obnoxio]

I didn't think Slater should have been on the team last year but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt if the coaching staff thinks he's improved enough this year. His mistakes seem to warrant getting cut. The special teams haven't had top flight gunners since Larry Whigam and Tebucky in my opinion. K. Washington was decent but he is gone.

 

[Patspsycho]

You need to watch more. And you should watch what happens when he gets down there. There is absolutely no excuse for EVER interfering with a fair catch. Doing it two weeks in a row just shows his head isn't in the right place.

I disagree with this. I think it is a matter of him trying too hard, forcing things to happen, instead of letting the game come to him.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Well Alexander's useless on the roster. I don't have cans of film to go over on special teams, but it seems you're saying no one could play special teams except the four you mentioned.

If that's the case, we've done a poor job in trying to locate good special teamers who can provide roster depth in emergencies.

Feel free to exaggerate.

Alexander plays better than you give him credit...you might also note how Ciurciu has played MLB/ILB/WLB in one game this preseason while Alexander has played in all three.

You can carp about others playing Special Teams, but BB emphasizes Special Teams and he's willing to carry players whose primary contribution is on the Teams. Woods and TBC are graduating, they'll still play, but that needs to be balanced elsewhere. There are others for which the same can be said. It is what it is.

 

[mgteich]

Slater will get as many reps at safety as Aiken will get at WR and as many as Izzo got at LB and as many as Washington got at WR. The fact that they get 2-3 reps a year at a position is really as irrelevant as thinking of Chad as a placekicker.

Belichick has always found room for his top two defensive special teamers, whether or not they project to having any reps at a position. Aiken will have no reps as the #6 receiver. Slater would ahve no reps as the #10 defensive back.

Personally, I believe that Slater's "skills" as a returner are also irrelevant. He is a special team gunner and tackler.

To think that we will cut on of our two top special teamers in order to keep a 9th LB or other 10th defensive back or a 4th TE or even a 5th RB seems far fetched to me.

 

[mgteich]

BOTTOM LINE
Special teams are worth using two roster positions. Those players are Aiken and Slater.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

The problem with Slater is he is strictly a special teamer. Whatever positives he does have are overshadowed by the boneheaded plays he 's made on numerous occasions. You don't see many penalties or screw ups coming from the other core special teamers like Ventrone or Aiken. Point being if you are strictly a special teamer than you better do that well. You don't keep ST players based on potential, you keep them based on production.

 

[PYPER]

What value does a special teams specialist have who can't catch the ball, never breaks any long returns and then consistently runs into opposing returners who signal for a fair catch. The guy is an utter disaster.

Yes, I know I'm being overly harsh but what has this guy done to impress anybody? We have quite a few tough decisions to make but I don't see how he's included in that category.

Please note, that if he does make the team or end up starring elsewhere, I reserve the right to change my mind. Ultimately, I trust BB's judgment on these issues far more than anyone elses, including my own, but as of now, Slater hasn't done anything to make me feel different.

 

[GullyFoyle]

Slater is a world class screw up who can do no right. The ball always seems to bounce off of him to the other team and he makes dumb penalties repeatedly.I cant understand the irrational love affair with this born loser. He is horrible on special teams muffing the ball in big games and repeated15 yard penalties does not make a good special teamer.
Bye bye Matty.

 

[GullyFoyle]

BOTTOM LINE
Special teams are worth using teo roster positions. Those players are Aiken and Slater.

BOTTOM LINE
Repeated dumb penalties, constant screw-ups, muffed punts,DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT MAKE GOOD SPECIAL TEAMERS.
Say bye bye to your binkie.

 

[mayoclinic]

Perhaps, but at the moment I have all four (Aiken, Alexander, Slater, Ventrone) making the roster as core Special Teams players. The other players who have looked good on teams also have strong position arguments, but these four have been the bright lights when you slow down the teams and try to figure out who's getting what done on the play.

Excuse me while I go vomit. Only Aiken deserves to make the final 53. None of those guys could touch Kelly Washington's as a "core Special Teams player".

 

[mgteich]

Washington is not an option.

We need two gunners. IMHO, we need two special team specialists who block and tackle on all the special team units. Your position is that Ventrone, Slater and Alexander don't meet your high standards. You say this knowing that these these three have been integral to our special team over the past three years. I agree with regard to Ventrone. I do expect Lenon to beat out Alexander. I am fine if another special teamer beats out Slater.

So, who do YOU choose? If not these three, perhaps one of Jones or Ciurciu is your choice. Both were top special teamers for other teams.

The roster is tight with most of us agreeing that we will keep at least THREE develpmental players: Edelman, Wheatley and Crable. I would opt for only.

However, we still need special teamers more than the 9th LB or the 5th RB or the 4th TE.

Excuse me while I go vomit. Only Aiken deserves to make the final 53. None of those guys could touch Kelly Washington's as a "core Special Teams player".

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Excuse me while I go vomit. Only Aiken deserves to make the final 53. None of those guys could touch Kelly Washington's as a "core Special Teams player".

 

[mayoclinic]

I can get much stronger stuff than that, and it still wouldn't do the trick. Big time barf fest.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I can get much stronger stuff than that, and it still wouldn't do the trick. Big time barf fest.

Sounds like you should see a doctor.