Stephon Gilmore, Matthew Slater both get much-deserved First Team All-Pro selections after career-best seasons for the Patriots
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Stephon Gilmore has once again been recognized as the best at his position in the National Football League. The Patriots cornerback was unanimously named a First Team All-Pro by the Associated Press on Friday after posting a career-best performance in 2019. Special teams captain Matthew Slater also earned First Team All-Pro honors after making more plays than ever in his 12th season in the league.
Gilmore tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns (Marcus Peters led the league with three pick-sixes). Gilmore also led the NFL with 20 passes defensed. Per data from Pro Football Focus, Gilmore allowed a 47.4 passer rating and 49 percent completion rate when targeted this season.
The veteran cornerback is coming off perhaps his worst game as a Patriot, after Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker torched him for seven catches and 132 yards when matched up with him. But that obviously wasn’t nearly enough to undo a mostly outstanding season for Gilmore.
Oct 10, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) runs off of the field after making an interception against the New York Giants during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Slater, meanwhile, put together his best season in a long line of them as the Patriots’ special teams ace. He finally scored his first career touchdown in Week 4 against the Bills, as he caught a J.C. Jackson blocked punt and bolted into the end zone. The score made the difference in the game as the Patriots won 16-10.
Slater also blocked a punt in Week 12 against the Cowboys, which the Patriots won 13-9. He also routinely did top-notch work with Patriots punter Jake Bailey. They’ve formed a deadly combo in the kicking game and often give the Patriots a huge advantage in field position.
This is the second time Slater has been named a First Team All-Pro by the Associated Press, which is generally considered the most prestigious All-Pro selection. He last earned the award in 2016. He and Gilmore also earned Pro-Bowl honors for their seasons.
Patriots left guard Joe Thuney also earned an AP All-Pro selection after being named to the second team. Thuney played in all 64 possible games in his first four seasons with the Pats and became the first player in league history to start in the Super Bowl in each of his first three years. He led the 2019 Patriots in offensive snaps with 1,139 (99.1 percent).
Matthew Slater of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown after a blocked punt during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on September 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
We’ll see if Gilmore’s letdown in Week 17 against Miami hurt his chances at winning Defensive Player of the Year. His performance arguably has him closest to the award for a defensive back since Darrelle Revis in 2009. History dictates that pass-rushers typically win that award, so Gilmore has competition from the Cardinals’ Chandler Jones, the Steelers’ T.J. Watt, and the Rams’ Aaron Donald.
But there’s likely nothing stopping Gilmore from sweeping the All-Pro teams for the second straight season. He’s already made the AP and PFF All-Pro teams. I have a vote for the Pro Football Writers of America and intend to name Gilmore to the first team. Surely you were quite curious about that.
The only question now is whether Gilmore will be a unanimous selection.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at [email protected].
