Slater - All Pro again so far

[SalemPats]

I was at the game on Sunday and Slater is really all over the field. He didn't have a big tackle, but he was uncoverable. I haven't seen a guy able to cover punts like him since Steve Tasker. STs has been pretty good so far and he's the main reason. So far he's having an All-pro season and he should get the respect he deserves. Don't forget Special Teams.

 

[signbabybrady]

He might be better at his position than any other NFL player at theirs. Unfortunately it's not a position with the greatest impact.

 

[Nikolai]

On the rare occasions that he gets blocked out of the play, you can really see the difference in the coverage. The guy is a beast.

 

[VrabelJr]

He might be better at his position than any other NFL player at theirs. Unfortunately it's not a position with the greatest impact.

Field position is a huge impact. The fans and media don't see it this way, but coaches do.

 

[SEA_Pat]

I agree that Slater is on a completely different level. It has significant impact though. I suspect BB would agree with that assessment too.

Slater alone is probably worth around 40-50 yards of field position a game. That's equal to around 3 points. There's about 8 punts and 5 kickoffs run back per game. If we assume that each team gets half, then he's involved defensively in around 4 punts and 2-3 kickoffs. Usually, he stuffs a punt return about 2 times per game from what I can see, and the mean punt return is around 9-10 yards. Often he disrupts the ones he doesn't stuff too and reduces their gains. On kickoffs, he'll usually be in on the tackle at least once and of course he's defending the gunner on punts and playing on offensive returns. It adds up.

 

[signbabybrady]

Field position is a huge impact. The fans and media don't see it this way, but coaches do.

Didn't mean to belittle the value of STs more just reminiscing about the time when our QB was equally superior to all at his position like Slater is.

Well actually this isn't my real point my real point is Brady has always had a QB close to as good as him. No one is close to as good as Slater. And not to belittle STs but it would be better if this statement could be made about a regular on D or O. It would be like having Watt instead of Slater.

 

[dales804]

I was at the game on Sunday and Slater is really all over the field. He didn't have a big tackle, but he was uncoverable. I haven't seen a guy able to cover punts like him since Steve Tasker. STs has been pretty good so far and he's the main reason. So far he's having an All-pro season and he should get the respect he deserves. Don't forget Special Teams.

Nobody here should forget it. Does everyone remember NE's first, non-kickoff special teams play this year?

 

[signbabybrady]

Nobody here should forget it. Does everyone remember NE's first, non-kickoff special teams play this year?

Blocked punt? Not sure what's the point?

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

He might be better at his position than any other NFL player at theirs. Unfortunately it's not a position with the greatest impact.

true...not the greatest impact...but I think field position is a pretty big...

 

[dales804]

Blocked punt? Not sure what's the point?

That special teams are clearly important. It was a huge play in that game and it happened on the first special teams play of the year. Just an example of how they effect games.

 

[primetime]

Slater's one of the best special teamers of all time. He's in the Steve Tasker stratosphere. The media doesn't give it much attention, but opposing coaches sure do. Remember when Rex didn't even bother with a punt returner because of Slater? That's the sign of a guy who's just totally dominant in his sphere, like when teams squib kick rather than kick to a guy like Devin Hester.

 

[SEA_Pat]

Just an example of how they effect games.

Absolutely! If there were no special teams, there would be no kickoffs so the games would not start.

But they also affect the games too...

 

[dales804]

Absolutely! If there were no special teams, there would be no kickoffs so the games would not start.

But they also affect the games too...

 

[signbabybrady]

That special teams are clearly important. It was a huge play in that game and it happened on the first special teams play of the year. Just an example of how they effect games.

Oh right that's an obvious point. I was thinking 'what could Slater have done on that play that you wanted to point out.'

 

[Wheelman]

On the rare occasions that he gets blocked out of the play, you can really see the difference in the coverage. The guy is a beast.

Yup, when Adam Jones got that nice punt return it was because Slater got sealed out of the play in the end. Darqueze Dennard owned him initially on the jam at the line of scrimmage but after he got off it he ran away from Dennard and the other Bengals defender that was double teaming him. He slowed down a little approaching Adam Jones so he didn't get juked but it allowed Dennard to come back and seal him out of the play. The other Bengals defender got away with a slight block in the back but it wouldn't have affected the play since Dennard sealed him off.

 

[BritPat]

He's awesome.

Anyone that thinks ST's don't matter or isn't that important really needs to watch more football.

 

[Deus Irae]

He's awesome.

Anyone that thinks ST's don't matter or isn't that important really needs to watch more football.

I haven't seen the data, but, on a per-play basis, I'd imagine that the math shows STs to be more impactful than the regular game. Or, at least, that it used to, before the flags began raining down on every play, and the high touchback percentage became the norm.

 

[Danger Zone]

I wonder how well Slater would be at some pass rushing situations.

 

[dales804]

I wonder how well Slater would be at some pass rushing situations.

I don't recall the game, but I'm pretty sure last year he lined up on the edge and rushed the QB a lot in a game. It might have been another year but I'm sure he has.

 

[Wheelman]

I don't recall the game, but I'm pretty sure last year he lined up on the edge and rushed the QB a lot in a game. It might have been another year but I'm sure he has.

I remember Arrington doing this in 2010 against the Colts but I don't think Slater has ever rushed the QB? Maybe he did it with a blitz when he played some Safety? I don't recall Slater playing a single snap on defense in 2013.