Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Special teams ace Slater thankful for extension

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Matthew Slater is one of the best special teams players in the NFL, and the New England Patriots plan to keep him around.

Slater, whose contract was set to expire at the end of this season, was just given a two-year extension worth $4 million, including $3 million guaranteed, according to ESPN Boston.

The veteran specialist didn't want to get into the details Wednesday with the media, though he did take a moment to give thanks--a fitting time a day before the holiday.

“I am so thankful for what the lord has done in my life and my career and develop me here as a player and as a man,” Slater said, via WEEI. “I am thankful for an opportunity to continue this development — I am thankful to the coaching staff and coach [Bill] Belichick and this organization for believing in me and appreciating a player like me, and guys like myself across this team."

"That being said, the focus here is on us preparing for Green Bay. That is all I am concerned with and I’d rather talk about that.”

Slater has made the last three Pro Bowls and is a two-time All-Pro.

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