Michael Jenkins released....

[Sicilian]

Slater isn't a wide receiver. His first couple of years in the league, he was listed as a safety, and he wasn't a safety either. When the WR depth went to hell, he started taking some training camp snaps there, and has been nominally considered a WR ever since.

In reality, he's neither a safety nor a wide receiver. If his lack of development somewhere is going to bother you, safety has always seemed like the position that he was better suited for, and he didn't catch on there either.

A lot of fans seem to think that special teams is the unit that you make a pit stop on so that you can stick on the roster long enough to become a contributor on one of the 'real' units (offense or defense). That is how it works for a lot of guys, but there is such a thing as career special-teamers. Apples to apples, they're less valuable than offensive and defensive players of a similar caliber, but if you're talking about one of the best special teamers in the NFL, then that's absolutely more valuable than a third stringer on another unit.

At this point, he's in his late 20s: he is what he is. And what he is is the best gunner in the NFL, a special teams captain, and an All Pro. As long as you believe that that's worth a roster spot, then he's doing just fine.

I think some confusion comes up too when people see him taking WR reps in training camp drills. But what else is he going to do in between ST work? Run wind sprints while the rest of the team does drills? Might as well give him reps at WR for the worst of the worst case scenarios, even knowing he's never going to play there.

 

[patchick]

I agree. Just that it would be nice to find that top 10% guy who does both. Just like I agree with Patsfan2 that it would be optimal if Slater could also play WR.

I'd like to keep 5 RBs this year.....and hated like hell that they had to release Greg Salas last year.

The roster game is zero-sum.

Quite so. I'm pretty sure that every team in the NFL now has a dedicated LS, though -- LS has evolved into a full, acknowledged position, just as punter did before it. I wonder if Slater would get less grief from fans if gunner listed as a position as well, so he wouldn't have to appear on the roster as an unsuccessful WR or S?

 

[PatsGuy]

Prior to the Pats/Eagles game, the "experts" at NFLN spoke to Brady's "new receiver corps" specifically Jenkins. Clearly, they never did any homework and this cut will better illuminate on a national level the potential for all these rooks.

 

[Bruins29]

You're saying he has undetermined potential? I think he's been a Patriot long enough to prove he's less than serviceable at WR. He has 28 catches and no touchdowns over five years, 22 of them coming in his first two seasons. No punt returns and only 28 kick returns averaging 19 yards per touch. Clearly, his value is narrowly defined although BB feels it's significant enough to hold onto him.

I dont think he is a good WR. But I am not 100% convinced that he is a terrible WR (as much as people are making him out to be) because I have not seen enough of him. Numbers mean nothing to me other than he has not gotten a lot of reps. Just because he only has 28 catches in 5 years dosent mean anything to me. How many looks did he get? When were they?

28 catches on 70 throws sucks. 28 catches on 34 throws is good. Which is it?

If someone will kindly put all the Slater catches together in one video clip and also provide me with the number of looks, drops, and bad throws then perhaps I can make a determination on how good MS is.

Otherwise this is starting to look like people just jumping in on some silly bandwagon that MS sucks as a WR even though he is a tremendously valuable part of the team. We get it. He is not David Givens.

 

[VrabelJr]

I too wish Slater could be a good WR.

Just like I wish Connolly or Wendell could long snap.

It would be optimal for the Patriots to actually free up 2 captive roster spots.

Please list other NFL teams that are able to do this with their Center/Guards and Special teams Ace.

 

[patchick]

I dont think he is a good WR. But I am not 100% convinced that he is a terrible WR (as much as people are making him out to be) because I have not seen enough of him. Numbers mean nothing to me other than he has not gotten a lot of reps.

In this case, the low number of reps is clearly a product of his ability level. Watching him play, Slater just has terrible hands -- both as a receiver and KR. The guy has touched the ball 30 times in his career and has 3 fumbles.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Quite so. I'm pretty sure that every team in the NFL now has a dedicated LS, though -- LS has evolved into a full, acknowledged position, just as punter did before it. I wonder if Slater would get less grief from fans if gunner listed as a position as well, so he wouldn't have to appear on the roster as an unsuccessful WR or S?

Nobody appreciates the long snapper until he gets injured. Then this happens:

Y! SPORTS

 

[BradyFTW!]

In this case, the low number of reps is clearly a product of his ability level. Watching him play, Slater just has terrible hands -- both as a receiver and KR. The guy has touched the ball 30 times in his career and has 3 fumbles.

Yup. Classic feet for hands. Makes me wonder why he even runs drills as a receiver: seems like it would make more sense for him to take a shot at safety, where his intelligence and athleticism would be a huge asset and he wouldn't be required to catch anything.

 

[Bruins29]

In this case, the low number of reps is clearly a product of his ability level. Watching him play, Slater just has terrible hands -- both as a receiver and KR. The guy has touched the ball 30 times in his career and has 3 fumbles.

No argument there. I just want to see the vids. But like I said I dont think he is a good WR. Maybe he will get a few garbage time reps this year and we can take a close look. I dont expect much but it would be great if he could catch a ball now and then when the game is out of hand perhaps.

 

[patsfan13]

WOnder if Bills fans were saying S Tasker would get cut since he wasn't a good WR?

 

[tonyto3690]

I thought Jenkins was a lock for 60 catches, 1000 yards....?

 

[ay-yo]

1.) How is it good news that a player got cut?

2.) How is pointing out that this is not shocking news pessimistic?

1. You already know the answer so I'm not sure why your asking but as was stated in the first 25 posts of the thread it's b/c the rookies are looking great.

2. First 25 posts - our rookies look great! Hooray!
Your post - we made some terrible FA signings at the WR position.

 

[Sicilian]

I thought Jenkins was a lock for 60 catches, 1000 yards....?

Good lord, strawman much?

 

[Tunescribe]

Slater isn't a wide receiver. His first couple of years in the league, he was listed as a safety, and he wasn't a safety either. When the WR depth went to hell, he started taking some training camp snaps there, and has been nominally considered a WR ever since. In reality, he's neither a safety nor a wide receiver. If his lack of development somewhere is going to bother you, safety has always seemed like the position that he was better suited for, and he didn't catch on there either.

A lot of fans seem to think that special teams is the unit that you make a pit stop on so that you can stick on the roster long enough to become a contributor on one of the 'real' units (offense or defense). To be fair, for most players that is the case, but there is such a thing as career special-teamers. Apples to apples, they're less valuable than offensive and defensive players of a similar caliber, but if you're talking about one of the best special teamers in the NFL, then that's absolutely more valuable than a third stringer on another unit.

At this point, he's in his late 20s: he is what he is. And what he is is the best gunner in the NFL, a special teams captain, and an All Pro. As long as you believe that that's worth a roster spot, then he's doing just fine.

I understand this argument. Slater's like Larry Izzo was -- a special-teams ace who makes you cringe filling in elsewhere. I just wish he had more demonstrable value on downs 1-3 (has never recorded a touchdown or interception as a pro). He was a DB his last two years at UCLA after playing WR his sophomore season, but as far as I can tell has been listed at WR since becoming a Patriot. Other than blocking/tackling on ST here, his entire football career shows nothing of significance apart from averaging 29 yards on 34 kick returns with three touchdowns his senior year in college.

The fact he continues to be listed at WR can give the false impression he's more "valuable" at the position than someone of superior receiving skills who ends up being cut. C'est la vie.

 

[Triumph]

Slater is an All Pro ST player and ST Capt whio can play WR in a pinch. He is going


NOWHERE.

Why does this confuse people every year?

BB values ST's more than a lot of fans.

When does he play WR for the Pats?

IIRC, Slater had a TD in the probowl.

 

[Triumph]

This news bodes well for Kenbrell Thompkins

 

[brdmaverick]

Jenkins, released? I think many of us called that one. Despite his experience, he just wasn't cutting it in comparison to the young guys.

 

[Triumph]

Discuss....

Molasses Mike we barely knew ye.

 

[JackBauer]

I don't blame folks who feel frustrated by Slater's lack of development at WR. I'm one of them.

Why? Slater is not a WR. He's only designated as one because there's no classification for STOP (special teams only player).

edit: I see FTW beat me to the punch.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Jenkins, released? I think many of us called that one. Despite his experience, he just wasn't cutting it in comparison to the young guys.

I think he was basically signed to establish a baseline of competence. If someone out of Thompkins, Aiken, and Hawkins surpassed that baseline, then he was gone, but at least this way the Pats weren't absolutely banking on any of those guys to become contributing WRs.

Now that Thompkins has surpassed that baseline, Jenkins is expendable. The Pats probably could have waited until final cutdowns to make that call, especially with Donald Jones' retirement, but I'd guess that they cut him now so that he'd have a better shot at catching on somewhere else. Given how WRs are dropping like flies all over the place, it wouldn't surprise me at all to see him end up somewhere like San Diego.