Matt Slater

And youngsters Brandon Tate, Julian Edelman and Taylor Price have the potential to be great. Matt Slater and Sam Aiken, as effective special teamers, have extra value to the team. 

And with three talented tight ends on the roster, the Patriots might sacrifice a wide out to keep veteran Alge Crumpler and rookie Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. 

Continue reading "Quick Cuts"

Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Brandon Tate, Sam Aiken, Darnell Jenkins, David Patten, Matt Slater, Robert Agnone, Alge Crumpler

Need: WR 3

The biggest problem for the receiving corps is health. Welker will miss part of the season while recovering from knee and shoulder surgeries. Tate played in one game before being placed on IR. Edelman had a surprisingly good rookie season for a seventh round draft pick. If he takes a step forward in his development, he should adequately fill in for Welker. 

Continue reading "Draft Evaluation: Wide Receivers/Tight Ends"

He probably won’t get past Greg Lewis or Joey Galloway. Matt Slater might avoid the hatchet due to his special teams play. Raymond Ventrone hung on for four years, but this might be it for the converted safety. 

Continue reading "5 Minutes of Fame"

l last year, I don’t expect O’Connell to make the team. 

Now or Slater? – Matt Slater has been responsible for some bone-headed penalties and is a poor kickoff returner. But on coverage he’s always around the ball and he makes tackles. Are the benefits worth the drawbacks that come with the total package? 

Continue reading "Pick Six"

Sam, Bethel Johnson, and Chad Jackson. Matt Slater is still a work in progress as he tries to establish himself as a returner. 

Tate would be competing with Slater for that job, as well as going head-to-head against Julian Edelman for punt return duties. Tate was close to becoming the eleventh player in NCAA history to gain 1,000 yards in two return categories: punt return yards and kickoff return yards. Brandon had the speed, quickness, and instinct that could translate well to the pro level. 

Continue reading "Waiting on Tate"

CB Darius Butler was a returner in college, CB Terrance Wheatley had the dual role as well, and WR Matt Slater was drafted, in part, for his return skills, though he hasn’t done well returning kickoffs. He averaged 14 yards and had two fumbles before the coaching staff pulled Slater off of the return team. Matt might get another chance. 

Continue reading "Specialists Wanted"

CB Darius Butler was a returner in college, CB Terrance Wheatley had the dual role as well, and WR Matt Slater was drafted, in part, for his return skills, though he hasn’t done well returning kickoffs. He averaged 14 yards and had two fumbles before the coaching staff pulled Slater off of the return team. Matt might get another chance. 

Continue reading "Specialists Wanted"

But there are enough candidates to replace him, whether Matt Slater, rookie Brandon Tate or someone else wins the job. 

We’ll find out how much blame belonged to Hobbs when the season starts because nothing has been done to improve the pass rush this off-season so far. But for sure Ellis was part of the problem. 

Continue reading "Ellis Hobbs: Addition by Subtraction"

d Deltha O'Neal suffered a concussion. If they have to reach for help, they could turn to WR/S Matt Slater, but he was out this week as well. Can Troy Brown still play?

We'll hear soon e

Continue reading "Another One Bit by Bug?"

e promoting one of the two rookie CBs, either Terrence Wheatley or Jonathan Wilhite, or adding WR/S Matt Slater to the coverage. I'll wait a little longer before changing parts there because a

Continue reading "Change We Need Is Coming"

 That's how I feel on the inside. I can't wait until I race home from work, turn on the tv, and catch the opening kickoff.

As time ticks down to pre-season game five for the Patriots (I know it's week one, but it's the Chiefs for goodness sake!), there's a few things I'll be looking for:

Continue reading "Hours Until Kickoff: Week 1"

Skip Cassel and play Kevin O'Connell, use Matt Slater on both sides of the ball and as a returner. Empty the bench.

Last year's team was an all-or-nothing squad to a degree. LB Junior Seau was chasing the ring that eluded him for 18 years. CBs Asante Samuel and Randal Gay were free agents, as was S Eugene Wilson. The deal they signed WR Donte Stallworth to was a one year contract in disguise.

Continue reading "Eye to the future"

It's the free agent route or N.E. use safetys Brandon Merriweather and Matt Slater as slot corners.

For those shown the door, a handful of youngstas shouldn't pack their bags just yet. Besides Gutierrez, I think Green-Ellis, Redd, Richardson, and Thomas will make the practice squad.

Continue reading "Cuts and a bust"

O'Connell showed his well publicized speed by gaining 22 yards on two carries.

Honors to

Matt Slater - With the exception of one drop, I liked his north-south approach to kickoff returns and he might have the makings of a good slot receiver.

Continue reading "Go to the tape"

Terrence Wheatley is the freak with a 4.37 40 time. On his heels is Matt Slater with a 4.4. Two clocked in at 4.5 and the remaining three a very respectable 4.6.

While I'm not big on grades,

Continue reading "Draft Review"