Who Will Fill Hobbs’ Shoes?

With the departure of kick returner Ellis Hobbs to the Philadelphia Eagles last month, the New England Patriots most certainly have a void to fill before the 2009 NFL season commences. While Hobbs’ $2.5 million freed up quite a bit of extra money, the Patriots now have their work cut out for them, as grooming a new Ellis Hobbs could prove to be quite the task. For now, however, fingers are pointing to second-year player and former UCLA standout Matt Slater to do the job.

Slater was the number two guy to Hobbs’ kick returning last year, and he’s ready for the challenge of becoming the newest kick returner for the Patriots this year. Slater recently spoke of his future role with the Patriots, saying, “Whatever coach (Bill) Belichick and his staff envision me, or need me to do from week to week, that’s what I’m going to have to be ready to do. Obviously, I’m going to have to continue to play special teams, and continue to perform in that area. But whether it’s offense or defense, whatever coach Belichick and his staff decide, I’m going to have to compete, and work at it, and be flexible and do whatever is asked of me.”

Slater, a fifth-round draft pick in 2008, will also be competing for a spot with Kevin Faulk and rookies Darius Butler and Brandon Tate (hinging on Tate’s recovery from an ACL injury) to be the Pats’ main return man this season.

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