Video: Jedd Fisch brings in one of the NFL's must under-appreciated stars for a special message
Jedd Fisch's experience with the Patriots the last few seasons, as well as his past experience coaching with the Rams and at Michigan and UCLA, means he's built up an impressive catalog of football guys he can call on to provide messages to his new team at Arizona.
However, it's Fisch's recent choice of Matthew Slater to come deliver a special Wednesday message to his guys that may provide a glimpse into how he plans to build up an Arizona program trying to build from an embarrassing 70-7 season ending loss to rival Arizona State to end the 2020 campaign at 0-5.
Slater is perhaps the NFL's must under-appreciated star. He's a 9-time Pro Bowler based on his performance on special teams, and Belichick and the Patriots have elected him a team captain year after year based on his character and outstanding leadership abilities.
After playing his college ball at UCLA, Slater was a 5th round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Patriots, where he has managed to make himself irreplaceable, as he has spent his entire career with the organization working to gain the respect of some of the most decorated players of the past several decades.
Slater also has the unique experience of being raised by one of the greatest NFL lineman of all time - former Rams tackle Jackie Slater.
Add all that together, and you've got a really unique football experience.
Joining the team virtually, Fisch had Slater deliver a message about his experience as a leader in one of the most impressive organizations in football and what traits of a good teammate stood out to him from his time around Tom Brady.
The session is a great listen into a largely unheralded cog in the Patriots success over the last decade or so and the mindset that has been required to thrive without racking up a bunch of yards receiving or hauling in a bunch of touchdowns.
If Fisch is going to turn things around at Arizona, it's not going to be with a guy or two having a bunch of accolades. Those that have been a part of the turnaround understand that it's going to take a bunch guys adopting the type of mentality that Slater has carried with him throughout his career, so who better to deliver that message?
Take a listen.
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