 Although used primarily as a backup and special teams player during his first three seasons, Slater became the starting right tackle in 1979.That year the Rams went to Super Bowl XIV, where he successfully defended L. C. Greenwood from getting a quarterback sack.In 1980, he was part of an offensive line that surrendered just 29 sacks and helped the Rams' offense finish second in the NFL in total yards gained with 6,006.