3 Most Underrated Patriots by Oliver Thomas of Yahoo Sports

[NEPettyOfficer72]

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OLB/DE Rob Ninkovich
ST/WR Matthew Slater
C Ryan Wendell

 

[JoeSixPat]

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OLB/DE Rob Ninkovich
ST/WR Matthew Slater
C Ryan Wendell

For anyone following the Patriots even a little bit closely, the contributions of Ninkovich and Slater are well known and appreciated

But I'll go along with Wendell being under-rated. It's the old adage for the OL - if they're not talking about you you're doing a good job.

Wendell's obviously doing a GREAT job because no one is talking about him at all and he's anchoring the line at Center.

Attention on the OL always goes to the marquis ends but I think we all know how important Center is in the NFL - this guy deserves some major fan-love.

 

[Brady6]

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OLB/DE Rob Ninkovich
ST/WR Matthew Slater
C Ryan Wendell

I agree with Wendell, he had a terrific season last year. I think if he duplicates it this season he will start seeing the recognition he deserves.

Ninkovich seems to receive recognition more than any defender we have not named Wilfork, Mayo or Spikes. I also think he is a tweener type so it's hard to judge him directly against one particular positional group (DE or OLB).

Slater I completely disagree with him being labeled underrated. He's been to two pro bowls, is paid more than any other player in the NFL who is primarily only used in ST coverage, is a team captain, publicly recognized by BB several times, and in terms of fans he is starting to put together a Tebow like following.

I may get beat up a little for saying this but to some degree I think Slaters overrated, I felt Cole was a player who had just as much impact on ST's last season as Slater but yet he is considered a bubble player and left off many people's mock rosters.

 

[mgteich]

As you said, Slater is a 2-time pro bowler, and worth the recognition.

Cole has been greatly under-rated as a special teamer. And, yes, it is a major PLUS to have a #5 CB capable of being an emergency starter. Some will criticize Cole for not being able to cover top receivers. If he could do that, he would be a top starting corner, not a #5.

So, for me, Slater isn't over-rated. Cole is under-rated.

I may get beat up a little for saying this but to some degree I think Slaters overrated, I felt Cole was a player who had just as much impact on ST's last season as Slater but yet he is considered a bubble player and left off many people's mock rosters.

 

[Brady6]

As you said, Slater is a 2-time pro bowler, and worth the recognition.

Cole has been greatly under-rated as a special teamer. And, yes, it is a major PLUS to have a #5 CB capable of being an emergency starter. Some will criticize Cole for not being able to cover top receivers. If he could do that, he would be a top starting corner, not a #5.

So, for me, Slater isn't over-rated. Cole is under-rated.

What I was trying to say is this list says that Slater is underrated, I don't think he is at all. I think he is rated accordingly.

The point I was trying to make is in comparison to a how a player like Cole is rated, Slater is overrated. Like you said Cole was an integral special teams player, and served as depth as a DB, despite those things he receives no recognition and is considered a bubble player. Slater is an integral special teams player and doesn't provide depth or contributions on offense or defense but receives praise, and is considered a roster lock.

 

[mgteich]

Thank you for the clarification. I agree with all your comments.

What I was trying to say is this list says that Slater is underrated, I don't think he is at all. I think he is rated accordingly.

The point I was trying to make is in comparison to a how a player like Cole is rated, Slater is overrated. Like you said Cole was an integral special teams player, and served as depth as a DB, despite those things he receives no recognition and is considered a bubble player. Slater is an integral special teams player and doesn't provide depth or contributions on offense or defense but receives praise, and is considered a roster lock.

 

[Shockt327]

I don't want to bash Nink, I don't dislike him, his effort is totally there, but I really think he was a physically weak DE. Not a weak player, just a weak DE. The lack of consistent pass rush frustrated me the most. Don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting pressure on every play, or whatever. He'd slip the block every now and then, causing the RT to wiff. That's great, but you can't hang your hat on it. Cause if the RT* got square-up on him? It was over. Like, always. I'm sorry, but you need a DE who can fight it out and collapse the pocket. I'm not asking for pressure constantly. But you can't get stonewalled so often. Nink struggled in this aspect. On the same note, there were times where he really couldn't hold his ground against the run either. Putting him at starting DE just isn't the answer (hence drafting Collins, I'd imagine).

I really hope he goes back to 4-3 LOLB. I really think his skills in coverage are his greatest attribute; not for athleticism or speed or anything, but because the guy just has a nose for the football when in the open field. He can really close in on the play, too. But yeah, I just cannot help but think that the 'best' way to neutralize that instinct is to stick him on the LOS, right in front of the tackle who's larger and heavier.

EDIT: The only caveat I'll toss in here is that I don't know Nink's assignment on every play. What I'm referring to is that there appeared to be more than a few times where he wasn't rushing the passer, not because he got beat, but because (I assume) he was being asked to spy the QB or the RB out the backfield and he was intentionally staying back on the LOS, and there was only a 3-man-rush. Just sayin'...

 

[Brady6]

Thank you for the clarification. I agree with all your comments.

Yeah I figured we were on the same page based on what you wrote. I appreciate the polite response as always my friend.

I'm excited to see the final 53, this roster seems to have more questions than we've had in a lot of years. That makes training camp and preseason so much more exciting and entertaining to watch.

 

[Brady6]

I don't want to bash Nink, I don't dislike him, his effort is totally there, but I really think he was a weak DE. Not a weak player, just a weak DE. The lack of consistent pass rush frustrated me the most. Don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting pressure on every play, or whatever. He'd slip the block every now and then, causing the RT to wiff. That's great, but you can't hang your hat on it. Cause if the LT got square-up on him? It was over. Like, always. I'm sorry, but you need a DE who can fight it out. On the same note, there were times where he really couldn't hold his ground against the run either. Putting him at starting DE just isn't the answer (hence drafting Collins, I'd imagine).

I'm a little confused by what you're saying?

The right side of the offense is generally considered the strong side? Ninkovich lined up primarily at LE last season. So that would make him a strong side DE?

Do you think he'd be better off at weak side DE? If he was moved to weak side he'd be primarily matching up with a LT, you seem to think that he would be at a disadvantage?

 

[Shockt327]

I'm a little confused by what you're saying?

The right side of the offense is generally considered the strong side? Ninkovich lined up primarily at LE last season. So that would make him a strong side DE?

Do you think he'd be better off at weak side DE? If he was moved to weak side he'd be primarily matching up with a LT, you seem to think that he would be at a disadvantage?

LOL, I don't mean "weak side" DE. I mean, weak. Not physical enough, lol. Not imposing. Not strong....

...err. Heh, I'm not talking strong-side either; just to clarify.

 

[mgteich]

Although I too am anxious to see the camp competition, I'm not sure that we have more question marks than in most years.

Most of the question marks involve the bottom of the roster. Who will be the odd man out at WR, TE, RB, DE, ST/LB, DB? Or put another way, how will we use the spots at the end of the roster? Given Belichick's history of transactions in the first couple of weeks, a 51 man roster seems a good idea. The last two get shuffled a lot, especially in the first 3 weeks of the season.

QUESTIONS ON THE 23 MAN OFFENSE
QB 2 no real question here
TE 3 who will be the odd man out (will one of the TE's start out on PUP)
RB 4 Bolden or Blount
WR 5 a fight for the last roster spot (presuming Edelman is healthy)
OL 8 solid starters and backups, with Cannon as a swing lineman
ST 1

QUESTIONS ON THE 22 MAN DEFENSE
DE 4 this is the most competitive position on the team (we might even bring back Scott)
DT 4 looking good
LB 5 all set if Fletcher is healthy
CB 5 all set (Cole is insurance if Dowling or Dennard aren't available)
S 4 all set (even without Gregory)

THE LAST FIVE POSITIONS
This is where we always seem to focus. These positions are likely to be special teamers and/or developmental players. Some would argue for an additional position player at TE and DE (or QB or OL or WR or DB).

For me, the reality is that, as of now, we know all of our starters (except one WR) and almost all the backups who we will count on for significant reps. For me, this means that the roster decisions are interesting, but not crucial in any way. As always, the key questions for camp do not involve performance; they involve injuries (both past and future).

As an aside, I expect that Belichick has not stopped adding players. Certainly DE, DT, WR, and OG all could use stronger competition, if it out there. And Belichick is always picking up STers.

I'm excited to see the final 53, this roster seems to have more questions than we've had in a lot of years. That makes training camp and preseason so much more exciting and entertaining to watch.