Bill Belichick Addresses on is Matthew Slater Best Special Teamer Ever

Head coach Bill Belichick has words of praise for Matthew Slater, and many would agree that he is the best special teamer the team has ever seen.

Slater receives the highest of compliments Tuesday morning. Media members asked Belichick about his special teamer a day after Slater was selected to his ninth Pro Bowl. When asked where Slater ranks among the best special teams players in Patriots history, Belichick put him above them all.

“Got to be at the top,” the legendary coach said in a conference call. “I can’t think of anybody that’s done more than he has. And he’s done it over a very consistent period of time at an extremely high level, in addition to all the other qualities that he brings off the field — leadership, just doing the right thing, just the person and the human being that he is. But his competitiveness on the field — he’s a great teammate. Just outstanding in all areas.”

Matthew Slater is the best special teamer

Slater was voted to nine of the last 10 Pro Bowls. Former Buffalo Bills gunner Steve Tasker had the previous record for Pro Bowls with seven.

Slater is the oldest Patriots player right now. He is 35 and has played 82 percent of the Patirots’ special teams snaps in 2020. This is a full 10 percentage points higher than his previous career high.

“It’d be hard for me to imagine anybody going ahead of (Slater),” Belichick said. “We’ve had some great players here, and I’ve had some great players through my career with Cleveland, going back to the Giants, but he’s certainly the very best that I’ve ever been around and that we’ve had to play against, as well. His consistency is outstanding, but he factors in on a lot of plays.”

Slater been really successful in the past 13 years. No player has ever been elected to the Hall of Fame as a kick returner, punt returner or special teamer. Slater is one of three Patriots Pro Bowlers in 2020. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore and punter Jake Bailey join their star player. Belichick has great words for Bailey, too. The first-time honoree leads the league in net punting average with 46.1 yards per punt.