Slater, McCourty Among Those Named as Patriots Captains For 2011

[MoLewisrocks]

It probably has more to do with numbers than anything else.. of you go to Chung, probably should add a Gronkowski and/or a Welker.. there has to be a cut off point.

Exactly. It's been my understanding that unlike some teams where the HC or FO names the captains, Bill has always let the players vote and basically the top 3 vote getters from offense and defense get the nod. There have been times when it's apparent he added the ST guy as a means to getting another offensive captain whom he likely wanted and who was close in voting onto the list. Because what the captains actually do here is build a bridge between the HC and the roster by meeting with Bill weekly.

 

[patsfan-1982]

The article makes an interesting point that McCourty is a captain but Chung isn't. We probably shouldn't read into it, but interesting nonetheless.

Chung is a average to just above average SS and McCourty is a top 5 corner so its he's job to lead the DB's

 

[Sicilian]

Chung is a average to just above average SS and McCourty is a top 5 corner so its he's job to lead the DB's

Ability really isn't the most important thing when it comes to being a captain. It helps, and obviously no one is going to listen to you if you're terrible, but leadership can come in a lot of different forms, on and off the field.

 

[The_Riddler]

Somewhere, the great LT for the Rams, 78, Jackie Slater is smiling.

 

[DaBruinz]

But.. but.. but.. Slater isn't gonna make the team.. he's ONLY a special teamer..


I think it's great that, not only has Slater proved the nay-sayers wrong, but that his teammates have recognized him for all the hard work and what he brings to the team..

 

[DarrylS]

But.. but.. but.. Slater isn't gonna make the team.. he's ONLY a special teamer..


I think it's great that, not only has Slater proved the nay-sayers wrong, but that his teammates have recognized him for all the hard work and what he brings to the team..

He exemplifies the meritocracy that is the New England Patriots.. he does his job well.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Naming Slater as a captain truly IS an excellent story. Here is a guy who has spent his ENTIRE career literally...."on the bubble". There hasn't been a single season where his inclusion on the Pat final roster hasn't been a surprise for many of us. Now the "most expendable man on the roster, has been elevated to Captain (which is NOT just a ceremonial post with the Pats) His HOF father should be VERY proud,

He was on the bubble for a lot of fans, maybe, but I dunno if he ever was with Belichick. When a guy gets hurt in the preseason and Belichick carries him on the roster for weeks until he gets healthy, that doesn't say 'on the bubble' to me.

 

[RayClay]

Good for Slater. I've given him a lot of crap in the past, but he's giving me a case of the warm fuzzies these days,

 

[Deus Irae]

What no Gronkowskis?

They've been declared team Gods

 

[ausbacker]

What no Gronkowskis? It must be a misprint.

Brady and Vince are the collective leaders of the offense and defense, who could really (dare) question what they have to say?


Mayo and Mankins are the "muscle"

Heard a rumor that Belichick said it was alright for the Gronks to walk over to the opposition captains, punch them in the mouth then rip the C of their jerseys and pin it onto their own Patriots jerseys.

 

[Lurks_All_Day]

Slater, McCourty Among Those Named as Patriots Captains For 2011
By: Ian Logue

The Patriots named their captains this morning, and there were a couple of names that stood out with the six guys who earned the honor....

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

Nice! It must be something special to be named in bold-face type with the likes of Brady and Mankins and Wilfork.
Hope he lives up to it~
:rocker:

 

[Lurks_All_Day]

Heard a rumor that Belichick said it was alright for the Gronks to walk over to the opposition captains, punch them in the mouth then rip the C of their jerseys and pin it onto their own Patriots jerseys.

I had a brief chuckle. Nice one.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Kudos to Slater. And I don't read anything into Chung not being named. I think it's more of a reflection of how well McCourty is doing than anything Chung isn't doing. McCourty even spoke about Chung's leadership skills a few days ago, as did many other team members:

Patrick Chung's Progression as a Leader Draws Immense Praise From Patriots Teammates

"Chung is a guy that takes control," second-year cornerback Devin McCourty said. "No matter what the situation is, if things are going good or going bad, you're always going to hear Chung. He's always going to be that guy motivating you, making the calls out on the field. Even if you're in the locker room and something happens, Chung is always that guy in the middle trying to get guys doing the right thing. I think that's big for our team."

McCourty has only known Chung for about a year, but he knew right away where the leadership was generated in the Patriots secondary.

"When I came here, I felt like Mayo had been here for years, and it was only his third year," McCourty said. "I think guys that are coming in now, they look at Chung, and that's the way they see it. A guy only going into his third year, but it seems like he's been here forever at that safety position."

"He's doing an excellent job growing up and growing up in the system," said Mayo, who will likely be named captain for the third consecutive season in 2011. "Chung does a great job as far as the things he does off the field as well as on the field. He's always trying to get better in the film room, always trying to get better on the field. He's a leader by example, and we need stuff like that."

There's a bunch more in the link which makes it clear Chung is counted as a leader, even if he's not officially a captain.

Also great to see Mankins as a captain. Amazing how well that rift between him and the FO has healed.

 

[TheSolderKing]

Just to F with the fanbase Bill should have named Tarpanian an honorary captain...

Name him the captain right before we play the JETS

 

[RayClay]

They could have waited a year for Mankins, as far as I'm concerned.

I guess he's the leader in the bank line.