Bobs My Uncle

Is Nate ready to handle things ......

JackBauer

I believe so. Once he spends this offseason in S&T and hones his upper body strength, there's nothing obvious preventing him from growing into an elite tackle. JMO.

Patsfan_22

I think one of the reasons that Light decided to hang it up was because he knew the LT position was in safe hands... At least that's what I'm hoping .

BelichickFan

Other than a slight concern about Solder's concussion last year I have no concerns. Every concussion worries me just that little bit but he played the following week so it must have been minor.

RT worries me a little more with Vollmer's back problem last year but we had some RT drafting options (Massie for instance) who we could have had at the end of the 3rd round so they must not be too concerned.

Palm Beach Pats Fan

My bigger concern is Vollmer's back holding up at RT. I think Solder will do fine and so will Seabass, if healthy.

Back injuries have a way of lingering/returning/messing up your life, though.

That said, I am reasonably high on Cannon, but as a backup, and Gallery I see as only being useful inside at G.

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Ron Sellers

Am I concerned about the LT spot now that Matt Light is gone? Not particularly. We all knew this day was coming; it just happened a year earlier than most expected. Light played well enough last year that I would have preferred for him to return for the 2012 season, but on the other hand Solder showed enough that I have confidence in him going forward. A full off-season of working with Dante Scarnecchia should help too; don't forget Solder did not get the benefit of working with the Pats coaching staff last off season due to the lockout.

If there is a concern it would be with Sebastian Vollmer. I think he will have had enough time to work on rehabbing his back (it will be a full year from the time he injured it to when the season kicks off) that he should be okay. What is worrisome is that back problems are tricky things and have a greater likelihood of being a recurring issue, unlike say a broken collar bone. Vollmer had back issues in college as well so this is something to consider as well.

Perhaps rather than asking about Solder, the better question would be to ask is how comfortable the Pats are with depth at tackle? Is Marcus Cannon ready to go if/when called upon? Robert Gallery is considered by some to be a huge bust at tackle, is he better suited to playing guard?

Injuries are an inevitable reality in the NFL, particularly on the offensive line. There's no such thing as too much depth for this unit. Overall I think the Patriots are in good position with this unit in comparison to other NFL teams, despite the question marks above.

Deus Irae

I'm concerned that the Patriots best OT retired.
I'm concerned that Solder may still not be ready for the best bullrushers out there.
I'm concerned that the RT position is a back tweak away from real trouble.

But, overall, I'm not too concerned with Solder as the LT. He'll have a full offseason this time around, and that should help a lot.

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"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
- Marcus Aurelius

Snake Eyes

I'm concerned about OT in general, especially with Vollmer's back issues and Cannon's lack of playing time, I think the position depth is very thin. I would really have liked to pick up Nate Potter, especially since he was available so late.

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"The secret of steel has always carried with it a mystery, you must learn it's riddle, Conan, you must learn its discipline, for no one in this world can you trust, not men, not women, not beasts...this you can trust"


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Gronkandez

I think the TE's will be used to help in obvious passing situations at least in the beginning of the year. By the 2nd half of the year he should be more dependable. He's spending the offseason in Foxboro so I expect him to be much stronger and technically sound next year.

FYI, I believe he had multiple concussions this year. They appear to have been minor but you never know.

Sicilian

The Patriots have a fantastic record with offensive linemen taken early (with the exception of Klemm), and Solder already showed good signs last year. With a full offseason he should be solid this year.

Like everyone else, my concern is more with RT and depth. Vollmer's back worries me, and though I'm pretty confident in Cannon's abilities, who's behind him? I would guess Gallery would fill in as our 4th T on the depth chart, but if that happens I'll be nervous.

Is there another T on the roster right now that I'm missing? I mean outside of the UDFA we picked up. All the other backups I can think of are interior guys.