Slater is following the likes of former teammate Kevin Faulk and current teammate Shane Vereen, who according to coach Bill Belichick have also handled the kickoff return’s version of a hall monitor. With the location of the kickoff being moved up from the 30 to the 35-yard-line prior to the 2011 season, it’s become an important role, because kicks are traveling deeper into the end zone, and the players running downfield on kickoff coverage trying to smash the returner are starting 5 yards closer.