Brady to Matt Slater?

by jlegs on Apr 27, 2008 2:58 PM PDT

...and with the 18th pick in the fifth round, the New England Patriots select Matthew Slater, wide receiver from UCLA.

Just came across this after reviewing draft coverage on WWL's recap. The Pats actually traded up for Slater, swapping picks with Tampa Bay. Good news being a current student and a Pats fan (I know I'll get some crap about it, but there's a story behind it for another day)...that brings the count to two Bruins being drafted!

On another note, here is Slater's conference call with the Patriots.

GO BRUINS!

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Drafted As a Special Teams Player?

If so, what a great statement on the importance of being a great special teams player.

Slater was consistently outstanding on special teams.

Congrat's Matt. I'm glad all of your hard work is being rewarded.

sjh

PS. And, if he becomes a star receiver, we will always wonder why he didn't see more time on the offensive side of the ball.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Apr 27, 2008 3:43 PM PDT 0 recs

From what the conference call...

...it sounded a lot like the Pats drafted him because of his special teams prowess (both as a gunner and a returner) and his experience in playing multiple positions (Patriots personnel mentioned how he played WR, CB, and S). The Patriots really haven't had a great return game ever since Troy Brown's production went down as he aged, so this could be a great boost to ST if he makes the cut after training camp. His number (18) has been vacated after Stallworth left for the Browns... =)

by jlegs on Apr 27, 2008 7:50 PM PDT up 0 recs

IIRC ...

Troy Brown was a wide receiver who also played in the nickel or maybe dime package as a DB.

It was always sort of weird to see #80 lined up in the defensive backfield.

~~~

Look, Matt Slater is a stud athlete who grew up around the NFL. He is a totally different athlete than Jackie Slater, but he must have learned a few things from Pops about playing in the pros.

I remember sitting right behind Jackie Slater in Colorado for Dorrell's first game as coach. I went from skeptic to critic in about three hours and then waited five long years to be led out of the darkness.

Go Bruins

by Achilles on Apr 28, 2008 3:02 PM PDT up 0 recs

Horton to Redskins

Chris Horton was the final Bruin picked: 251st overall by Washington.

Congrats to Chris for being selected. I'm actually suprised we didn't hear his name sooner.

Regardless, best wishes to him, Matt, and Bruce

by bruin11 on Apr 27, 2008 6:30 PM PDT 0 recs

About Slater

It simply could not happen to a better person. No one deserves it more than he does.

That now makes three Bruins for the Chiefs and their second UCLA safety as Horton joins Donnie Edwards and Jarrad Page.

by turs12 on Apr 27, 2008 7:44 PM PDT 0 recs

Actually four Bruins are Chiefs now!

Brandon Breazell signed a 2 year free agent agreement yesterday.

by Bruin in Denver on Apr 28, 2008 9:08 AM PDT up 0 recs

Matt is a good, well-rounded kid

Many are not aware that Matt was a great sprinter in high school. In fact he still holds some California State prep records. Why did't Dorrell use him more on either side of the ball? he had blinding speed and he could hit like a ton of bricks. Well, he will blossom into a useable player for Belechick.

by bruin75 on Apr 28, 2008 12:53 AM PDT 0 recs

SDSU's Kevin O'Connell to the Pats

Not sure of how many members are aware of this, but the Pats took O'Connell (QB) in the third round.

Not only is this cool for SD people, it's cool for Bruin fans as well-why, you may ask? The Patriots current backup to Brady is USC's Matt Cassel-who will be fighting with Kevin for the spot. I hope O'Connell impresses the right people and knocks Cassel to third string.

by Bruin in Denver on Apr 28, 2008 8:04 AM PDT 0 recs

I'm a big O'Connel fan

I think he's going to be that second day pick who becomes a good NFL QB. He's not fast, but has quick enough feet to buy time. He's got a pretty strong arm, but most importantly, he's got "it." That little something a QB needs. In the few times I saw him play I kept thinking to myself he's got "it," he's a ballplayer. O'Connell may not beat out Cassell on training camp because it's always tough for a rookie QB, but Cassell will be 3rd string by 2009.

by ryebreadraz on Apr 28, 2008 9:17 AM PDT up 0 recs

Cassel's Contract...

Ends this year. O'Connell led the Aztecs in rushing yards and TD's, even though he only rushed for 400 yards. I'm sure he'll see some time in the preseason, as will Slater. I'm wondering if the Pats will use Slater as a safety as well.... IIRC, CB Ellis Hobbs has been returning kicks/punts for them.

by Bruin in Denver on Apr 28, 2008 10:00 AM PDT up 0 recs

Slater's currently listed as a WR

but I've always thought he'd make a good safety. He's fast, smart, has ball skills and can hit. He's got every skill needed to be a good safety. Now that I think about it, he could play a few different positions with his skills, he just needs a coach who will put him at ONE position and let him learn it.

by ryebreadraz on Apr 28, 2008 11:46 AM PDT up 0 recs

Typical New England Pick

They chose a guy with a ton of skills and a ton of heart whose alleged coach couldn't figure out how to use him. I would not at all be surprised to see him not just make the team but turn out to be a star.

That's why the Patriots (who I hope never win another game for the rest of eternity) may well go undefeated next year. They know how to choose players and they obviously know how to use players.

by Fox 71 on Apr 28, 2008 1:20 PM PDT up 0 recs