New England Patriots special teams legend Matthew Slater believes Brenden Schooler is the best special teams player in the NFL. That’s high praise coming from arguably the greatest special teams player of all time.
Schooler has filled the massive hole left after Slater’s retirement. His speed as well as his overall tenacity have stood out in games. There’s a chance he could be representing the Patriots in the Pro Bowl.
Slater, who has seen Schooler’s work ethic behind the scenes, admitted to being biased, but that still didn’t stop him from paying the ultimate compliment.
“I’m biased, but I think he’s the best [special teams] player in the NFL,” Slater said, via Patriots.com. “The tape speaks for itself. That’s the greatest compliment you can pay any player. Doesn’t matter the game. Doesn’t matter the phase. He’s having an impact.
“When I think about the Pro Bowl and these things, it’s the guys who go about the process the right way, respect the game, and impact the game week in and week out, even when other teams know that they’re going to do that. This guy does that as well as anyone in our league.”
Schooler has the talent and potential to be a perennial Pro Bowler for the Patriots like Slater was during his career. For now, the hope is for him to finally break through by getting his first nod this season.
