Patriots Free Agents 2012: Matthew Slater

by Greg Knopping on Feb 8, 2012 6:00 PM EST in Patriots Player Profiles

Over the next two weeks, we'll be looking at each Patriots free agent and projecting whether or not they will re-sign with the Patriots this offseason;

Matthew Slater

Age: 26

Position: Wide receiver / safety / special teams

Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

2011 Stats: 16 games played; 3 games started; 24 tackles; 1 reception, 46 yards

Overview: Matthew Slater, the jack-of-all-trades player for the Patriots, who made the Pro Bowl in 2011 for his work on special teams, will more than likely be resigned by the Patriots, as I believe the team values him more than any other team will. Of course, if some team hands him a big offer, the Patriots probably won't match, but I don't see that happening. Slater is a great leader, great special teams guy, and is the type of versatile player all coaches would like to have in their locker room. He'll probably never put up big stats, but the 2008 5th round pick out of UCLA has become rather indispensable for the Pats.

Prediction: Re-signs on 4 year, $6.5 million deal

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Biggest concern is Sam Aiken.

ST captain who was let go. Love to see him back, though.

Pats Pulpit | Follow @Rich__Hill

by Richard Hill on Feb 8, 2012 6:52 PM EST reply actions

Slater is much faster than Aiken

He is one the best ST guys in the NFL right now

Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"

by freeland1787 on Feb 8, 2012 10:02 PM EST up reply actions

Slater is younger too. I don't see a reason why he wouldn't get a multi-year contract

He got a four year contract as a rookie. As long as he isn’t asking for too big of a raise, I don’t see why another 3 or 4 year deal is out of the question. He’s only 26

by Greg Knopping on Feb 8, 2012 10:28 PM EST up reply actions

He'll be 27 when the season starts.

Aiken would have been 29 to start the 2010 season. Not that big of a difference.

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by Richard Hill on Feb 9, 2012 10:04 AM EST up reply actions

And Aiken provided at least minimal value as a depth receiver.

Pats Pulpit | Follow @Rich__Hill

by Richard Hill on Feb 9, 2012 10:05 AM EST up reply actions

Fair points.

But couldn’t you also argue that it was Slater who beat out Aiken for that roster spot? Therefore meaning, that since 2010, the Patriots have felt Slater provided better value?

by Greg Knopping on Feb 9, 2012 11:57 AM EST up reply actions

He's one of those guys who does stuff

on and off the field that are invaluable. If he stays at projected would be great for NE

by RichieGrogan on Feb 8, 2012 8:54 PM EST reply actions

Don't know if this story has been told,

but it’s relevant here. Just found out the Pats have an extremely favorable cap situation, heading into the offseason, so good news, and we will be able to be competitive with most or all of our players, and other free agents.
Hope Slater stays, good kid, great special teams.

by furiousd on Feb 9, 2012 1:35 AM EST reply actions