Matthew Slater On Gresh & Zo: Coach Belichick Always Two Steps Ahead
BOSTON (CBS) - Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater hopped on the Gresh & Zo show Wednesday afternoon to talk about the Sunday Night Football game against the Broncos, as well as his favorite and least favorite Thanksgiving foods.
In a game where the Patriots battled back from a 24-point deficit against Peyton Manning and the vaunted Denver Broncos offense, ultimately winning the game in overtime, it was unlike anything Matthew Slater has ever seen before.
"I've never been a part of anything like that," said Slater, adding, "It was awesome."
What wasn't so awesome was the weather conditions on Sunday night.
With a blistering wind of over 20mph and temperatures well below freezing, it was an unpleasant experience for the fans in attendance as well as the players on the field.
"Bill [Belichick] gave us the heads up earlier in the week and told us how it was going to be, and mentally you try and prepare yourself for it," said Slater. "But to actually be out there it was a different story altogether."
"I can't lie to you and say that it wasn't cold out there...it was definitely cold out there. The wind was blowing, but I think we did a good job of handling it."
There was some confusion in the overtime period when the captains went out for the coin toss.
Belichick instructed the captains on the sidelines what he wanted to do, but when the coin face landed their way at midfield the captains still looked back towards Bill to make sure just one last time that they got it right.
"We all looked backed over to the sideline because I don't think anybody wanted to be the bonehead and say we were deferring it when we really wanted to receive it," joked Slater. "But I'm glad we got it sorted out and I'm glad it worked out for us."
"Obviously he [Belichick] had thought about it and obviously he had done his study and considered all the odds and circumstances. As it turns out he made the right decision. He prepares us for those types of situations, he's two steps ahead of everybody else."
Slater was on the field for the play that changed the outcome of the game. That is, the botched punt return in overtime that led to a 31-yard game-winning field goal by Stephen Gostkowski.
From his perspective, "it was almost too good to be true."
"With the wind and the way the ball was moving...we've got a left-footed punter so that ball is already coming out different than guys are used to. All those things taken into consideration it was a huge play, obviously."
"It all happened in slow motion...I'm glad it worked out."
Lastly, before Gresh & Zo let him go they wanted to know his favorite and least favorite Thanksgiving dishes.
"My absolute favorite is the sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top and I'm not a huge fan of the green bean casserole. I'm not a green bean casserole guy. I know a lot of people like it, but it's just not my thing."
Listen for the full interview below:
Slater: Coach Belichick Always Two Steps Ahead
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