Matthew Slater

[elements1985]

During my 5 minutes of viewing, I thought I saw Matthew Slater playing the slot in tonight's Pro Bowl ... and it took be by surprise. Long shot, but any chance he's a cost effective option should Welker leave?

He's perhaps more physical than WW, being hardened by special teams
Good enough hands to return kicks (slots aren't required to have an enormous catch radius)
Faster than WW and also has good agility
Is still young at 27

Can he run sharp routes, get open and comprehend plays? I dunno. He failed in the Z.... I just found it interesting seeing the guy out there -- admittedly during garbage time -- getting those reps.

[WhiteWesWelker]

During my 5 minutes of viewing, I thought I saw Matthew Slater playing the slot in tonight's Pro Bowl ... and it took be by surprise. Long shot, but any chance he's a cost effective option should Welker leave?

He's perhaps more physical than WW, being hardened by special teams
Good enough hands to return kicks (slots aren't required to have an enormous catch radius)
Faster than WW and also has good agility
Is still young at 27

Can he run sharp routes, get open and comprehend plays? I dunno. He failed in the Z.... I just found it interesting seeing the guy out there -- admittedly during garbage time -- getting those reps.

I think BB has already made this decision, based on his actions. They brought back an ancient deion branch back before giving Slater reps, they went with 2 receiver sets only before giving slater reps. He just doesn't view him as a viable receiver. I obviously don't know why, but the head honcho has pretty clearly decided Slater doesn't add value at receiver.

[hugepatsfan]

Slater is pretty much everything you could ever ask for from a coach's perspective. He accepts his role, works hard, is a team leader, etc. There's a reason why he got a contract extension. But his intangibles don't make him a viable option at receiver. That just isn't what he's in the NFL to do.

[bigbangclock]

i didn't watch the game at all but i read the box score and sure enough slater had a catch on 2 targets,thats fun stuff.

[Superdude]

JJ Watt was playing Tight End too, which I thought was pretty cool

[penuch]

The Pats have plays where it calls for Slater as a deep threat every once in a while. That being said, him getting more snaps would reduce his effectiveness on ST. He goes all out on ST because he knows that all he needs to do, but he would need to conserve himself if he was going to play on OFF and ST.

[elements1985]

Slater is pretty much everything you could ever ask for from a coach's perspective. He accepts his role, works hard, is a team leader, etc. There's a reason why he got a contract extension. But his intangibles don't make him a viable option at receiver. That just isn't what he's in the NFL to do.

The Patriots ran a few plays with MS at the X and Z, but I'd contend that's a more difficult position than the Y (e.g., I think it'd be easier to convert someone to slot than X or Z ). Slater could also provide better blocking, and he's no more or less qualified than Edelman IMO.

But this is idea-playing. If I were a betting man, I'd say the chances of Slater in the slot are slim.

[bruins>habs]

seeing the Probowl is a joke game, i wouldn't take much out of Slater looking good at WR.