The significant demands of playing for Bill Belichick and life as a Patriots player have been in the spotlight lately.
The fact that Tom Brady chose to move on to Tampa Bay via free agency after two decades of dynastic success got the conversation going.
Then, Rob Gronkowski came out of retirement but made it clear he only wanted to play with Brady and the Bucs.
And this week former Patriots Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel declared playing for Belichick was not something that he enjoyed.
So it was that during an appearance on the Dale & Keefe Show on Tuesday in conjunction with WEEI's Feed New England Radiothon presented by Shaw's and Star Market, Patriots captain and Pro Bowl special teams ace Matthew Slater was asked about guys getting worn down by playing for Belichick and the atmosphere in New England.
"I can't speak to other guys and what their situations may be personally. I know everyone's experience I the National Football League is different. Everyone's experience as a Patriot is different," Slater said. "I know that as far as I'm concerned I'm so grateful for the time that I've had here, the opportunities that have been afforded to me by Mr. Kraft, Coach Belichick and the organization and I realize how unique my career has been as a special teams player. I don't know that many organizations would have valued me the way that they have.
"So I'm certainly thankful to be here. I'm having a ton of fun. I've had some great memories over the years. I've forged some great relationships that I'll carry with me the rest of my life. So you won't hear me saying that I have anything other than positive feelings toward this organization."
Slater is the longest-tenured Patriots player as he enters his 13th NFL season, all in New England.
