FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — As the New England Patriots have stumbled through their first four games, fans have found plenty to grumble about.

There’s the offense, quarterbacked by Tom Brady. The Patriots suddenly can’t run, pass or score. And there’s the defense, which can’t defend the run.

There’s the play-calling and the offensive line.

But if there’s been one bright spot for the Patriots (2-2), it’s the play of Matthew Slater on special teams. Now in his seventh season since the Patriots drafted him out of UCLA in the fifth round, Slater may be the lone Patriot who has played up to his capabilities.

Selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons, the 29-year-old Slater has solidified his reputation as one of the NFL’s best special teammers. He has six special teams tackles in four games, tied for second in the league.

Bill Belichick, who began his coaching career as a special teams coach with the Detroit Lions in 1976, certainly realizes the importance of his efforts. Recently, Belichick said Slater – whose position is officially listed as wide receiver – is one of the best special teams players he’s ever coached, along with former Patriot Larry Izzo.

Advertisement

“Yup, he’d be right up there,” said Belichick. “Izzo was a different type of player. He was a linebacker, played more of the inside positions. Slater is the speed guy. I’d say both of them were tremendous off the field in terms of leadership, responsibility, work ethic, setting an example, doing a great job. I feel like I’ve really been fortunate here to have in 14 of the 15 years, to have those two guys in that capacity – great players in their role and great leaders off the field and on the field.”

Belichick obviously saw Slater’s potential coming out of college, where he excelled at UCLA as a kick returner and on kick coverage. It isn’t often that a special teams player – even one as good as Slater was at UCLA – gets drafted.

“My situation was unique coming out of college the way my college career went,” said Slater. “When I was drafted here, I was told what my role was going to be and I embraced it early on. Obviously, as a competitor, you aspire to be a position player. But sometimes you have to do what’s best for the team. And I gladly accepted my role early on and it’s something I’ve enjoyed doing since I got here.”

Was it difficult to be told your career was in special teams, not as a position player?

“Not at all,” said Slater, the son of NFL Hall of Fame offensive lineman Jackie Slater. “It’s the NFL. You feel so blessed to be able to play in this league and to be here and part of something that’s special.

“I don’t care if they told me to hold the water cans, I was going to do it. As a youngster I just wanted to be part of something special.”

Advertisement

And Slater, who is listed as 6-foot, 210 pounds, has done anything the Patriots have asked. In his first six seasons with the team, Slater has caught one pass (for 46 yards) and rushed the ball once (for six yards). In 2011 he even played defensive back, making 11 tackles and forcing one fumble.

He’s also returned an occasional kick – 30, with an average of 18.0 yards per return – but his specialty is making tackles, both as a gunner (the player lined up on the outside) on punts and on kickoffs. Coming into this year, he had 92 special teams tackles.

He relishes his role as the gunner and said it has taken time for him to really understand the position.

“I think you have to learn to play fast but under control and that’s something (special teams’ coach) Scott O’Brien has worked with me on over the years,” said Slater. “I was always able to run OK coming out of college and get down in the area. But I didn’t always know how to play under control and make the play.”

Obviously he has, as evidenced by his play in Monday’s 41-14 loss at Kansas City. He was credited with two unassisted tackles, each time getting to Kansas City’s Frankie Hammond as the ball arrived.

Slater said a good gunner develops a feel for how the punt is going to play out.

Advertisement

“There are a lot of rules that we get, but sometimes when you get on the field, the rules get skewed a little bit and things don’t play out exactly the way you draw them up,” he said. “I just try to get out there and do what I can.”

Slater’s play has earned him great respect from his teammates, who have voted him special teams captain each of the last four years. He also serves as the Patriots’ representative to the NFL Players Association.

He takes both roles very seriously.

“I think as a captain and leader, my job is to try to help the guys around me become better players,” he said. “And being an encourager. I believe you should lead by encouraging guys, by building them up and making them better.”

Slater knows fans expect the Patriots to be better. And he’s hoping for a nice reception when New England takes on Cincinnati (3-0) on Sunday night at Gillette Stadium.

“It would be great just to have it loud with a lot of enthusiasm,” he said. “We need it. We need a boost emotionally and I’m sure they’ll be there to give it to us.”

 

Comments are no longer available on this story