Bedard: Matthew Slater isn't done yet but character coach role 'would definitely appeal' to him

FOXBOROUGH — As he works with a coach on one practice field while the rest of his teammates do battle on the other, you realize the end is coming sooner rather than later for Matthew Slater.

That's just reality when you're in 12th season a special teams player and will turn 34 on Sept. 9. Plus, there are the injury issues that have cropped up in recent years. Before playing all 16 games last season, Slater was limited to a total of 22 the previous two seasons. And as he goes through his personal workouts — this is a change for this season approved by Bill Belichick — you can see that things are coming harder and harder for the seven-time captain. This is, after all, a young man's game, especially at Slater's spot.

You also noticed how well Keion Crossen covered kicks last season, and how the Patriots signed Terrence Brooks from the Ravens to spice up a special teams unit that was perennially top five, in FootballOutsiders.com's advanced rankings, but slipped to 16th last year.

Then you wonder how much long Slater will be a fixture in the Patriots' locker room. And that's a little sad. Not sure there's ever been such a constantly uplifting presence inside those walls, as Slater was always quick to flash a smile and fill the space with his contagious laugh.

So you start figuring out ways to keep Slater involved. Jack Easterby has departed as the team's chaplain/character coach and no one has yet filled that void. That would seem to be a perfect landing spot for Slater. NFL players come of no higher character than Slater. This organization would be blessed if he served in that role for many years to come.

And by the look of his smile when you ask him about possibly taking that role, it seems Slater has given it some thought as well.

"I think it’s no mystery to anyone around here that I want to be involved in ministry and I love relationships, dealing with people and sharing with them what I believe to be the secret to life, which is the gospel, the good news of Christ," Slater told BostonSportsJournal.com. "Something like that definitely would appeal to me. But I try not to think about it too much. I’m just trying to live in the moment and maximize my opportunities as long as I can."

Certainly Belichick enjoys having Slater as an important leader on the team, and knows firsthand how much Slater has impacted the organization.

"He's a strong leader," Belichick said. "He obviously has a strong role in the kicking game, but he's one of the most respected players on the team, as he should be by everyone. High quality person. He's been a great part of our team for over a decade."

But, right now, Slater is focused on getting his unit back on track.

"I think we really struggled with a little bit of our coverage last year, especially early on," Slater said. "Obviously there’s some things we can do better. We can’t really run from that. We need to get better every year.

"We weren't up to our standards. Last year was last year. We have new guys that weren’t there last year, I think we learned a lot from last year and we need to get better. It will be the little things. It’s going to be technique, understanding some of the changes that took place with the kickoff last year. We’re not going to get discouraged, and we'll make sure we hold up our end of the bargain."

The Patriots' special teams could have some changes this season. Mainstay Nate Ebner has yet to hit the field while Brooks is flourishing and, of course, special teams coordinator Joe Judge is doubling as the receivers coach as well.

"Certainly there’s an adjustment, he has a lot on his plate," Slater said. "But I’ll say his passion and focus and dedication to the kicking game hasn’t changed at all, which we certainly appreciate that he’s still all in with us. Obviously, we’re going to work to make sure that transition goes as smooth as possible accept coaching, help (assistant special teams coach) Cam (Achord) along — I think Cam's done a great job in that role. It will be a transition, but we’re just taking it day by day."

Slater expects Brooks to quickly become a core player alongside himself, Ebner, returnee Brandon Bolden and Brandon King, and to flourish.

"The physicality that he brings to the table is certainly impressive, and we’re certainly excited about some of the things that he does," Slater said. "He brings an understanding and knowledge of the game that I think will be beneficial to us. Brandon coming back, Nate back healthy, King ... we feel good about the guys that we have, it's just a matter of us working to gel together."

As for when that end might come for Slater, and possibly transitioning into another role in the organization ... he's not thinking about that quite yet.

"I feel good," Slater said. "I think now I’m at a point in my career where my role is pretty established. As opposed to me just standing around while they’re practicing offense, it think it’s good for me to get work at what I’m going to be doing in the game. I’m glad that Coach saw fit for me to be doing that. I think there’s always room for improvement. I certainly have to play the game differently now than when I was young but I think there are things that I understand now that I didn’t when I was young. I’m excited about the challenge. Happy to be healthy last year and on the field. Hopefully, I can sustain a good level of play and stay on the field.

"For me personally, I commit to the season. I think you have to put all your energy and focus into that. Obviously retirement comes for every player. That’s never been something I’m afraid of. I’m just thankful for the opportunities that I’ve had, that I have now and trying to maximize them."