May 3, 2008 3:44 pm US/Eastern
Patriots Rookie Hopes To Become Two-Way Player
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) ―
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Matthew Slater at Friday's minicamp in Foxborough.
WBZ
Matthew Slater is trying to become the New England Patriots' next two-way player.
A fifth-round draft pick from UCLA, Slater took snaps at both receiver and safety during the team's two-day rookie minicamp, which concluded Saturday.
Slater hopes to follow in the footsteps of receiver Troy Brown, who doubled as a part-time defensive back the last few years, and linebacker Mike Vrabel, who has 10 career touchdown catches as a goal-line tight end, including the postseason.
Slater wore a white jersey, signifying offense, at Friday's practice but donned a blue one, for defense, at Saturday's workout.
"We'll do that this weekend and in spring camp and see how it goes," coach Bill Belichick said. "He'll learn both spots. We'll evaluate it and see how it looks."
Slater, the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle Jackie Slater, was recruited to UCLA as a receiver but switched to defensive back. He didn't see much time at either position and made his biggest impact on special teams. As a senior, he set a single-season Bruins record by returning three kickoffs for touchdowns.
"That was a way for me to get on the field," said Slater, who led the Pac-10 with a 29-yard average on kick returns last season. "I said I'm going to treat (special teams) just like it's offense or defense. I'm going to prepare, watch film, study my playbook, study the guys I'm going against and realize it can change a game just like offense or defense."
Slater said playing multiple positions in college prepared him for double duty with the Patriots.
"Over the years, with the way my career went at UCLA, you have to be flexible and fill in as needed, and that's what I'm here to do," he said. "I'm glad they've given me the opportunity to work on both sides of the ball."
The Patriots are deep at receiver with Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Jabar Gaffney. At safety they have starters Rodney Harrison and James Sanders, plus Willie Andrews, free agent Tank Williams and 2007 first-round pick Brandon Meriweather.
Slater said his father told him to "come in and be a learner" in his first professional camp.
"You have to compete in whatever it is that you're doing," the younger Slater said. "Never be satisfied with where you are. You can always get better."
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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