Can someone sell me on Matt Light at LT?

[Kontradiction]

Through the past few seasons as Light has aged, we've seen him struggle against the upper echelon of the league's pass rushers and some not-so-elite pass rushers. Time and time again, when his ability at the LT position has been questioned, people more often than not respond with, "well, he was going up against Elite Pass Rusher A (you can really just substitute Aaron Schobel, Jason Taylor, or Joey Porter in here and still win) and he traditionally struggles against him". Uh, okay? If he struggles against elite pass rushers, why the hell is playing LT and protecting the franchise's blind side? Let's take a look at some of the good pass rushers he has and likely will be facing this season...

Week 1. Buffalo - Aaron Schobel: I think it's safe to say Light lost that battle.

Week 3. Atlanta - John Abraham

Week 4. Baltimore - Terrell Suggs

Week 6. Titans - Kyle Vanden Bosch

Week 9. Dolphins - Joey Porter/Jason Taylor (depending on what their scheme for that week is)

Week 10. Colts - Dwight Freeney (another guy Light has traditionally struggled with)

Week 13. Dolphins - Jason Taylor or Joey Porter

Week 14. Panthers - Julius Peppers

Week 15. Bills - Aaron Schobel

Week 17. Texans - Mario Williams

That's a lot of potential problems and headaches for the LT position this season, assuming everyone on that list stays healthy. On top of that, I didn't include the Jets who have shown that they can bring pressure from multiple people. Last year, when people had concerns over Matt Light, they were told that the entire line was suffering due to the loss of Stephen Neal. And, after he came back, it appeared those people were right as you could see the line play get better. This season, the entirety of the line has been intact but they still seem to struggle as a whole, particularly on the left side of the line which is anchored by Light. So, I am calling for somebody, anybody here on this forum make an argument to point out why my concerns for him at LT are unjustified and sway me in his favor.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Through the past few seasons as Light has aged, we've seen him struggle against the upper echelon of the league's pass rushers and some not-so-elite pass rushers. Time and time again, when his ability at the LT position has been questioned, people more often than not respond with, "well, he was going up against Elite Pass Rusher A (you can really just substitute Aaron Schobel, Jason Taylor, or Joey Porter in here and still win) and he traditionally struggles against him". Uh, okay? If he struggles against elite pass rushers, why the hell is playing LT and protecting the franchise's blind side? Let's take a look at some of the good pass rushers he has and likely will be facing this season...

Week 1. Buffalo - Aaron Schobel: I think it's safe to say Light lost that battle.

Week 3. Atlanta - John Abraham

Week 4. Baltimore - Terrell Suggs

Week 6. Titans - Kyle Vanden Bosch

Week 9. Dolphins - Joey Porter/Jason Taylor (depending on what their scheme for that week is)

Week 10. Colts - Dwight Freeney (another guy Light has traditionally struggled with)

Week 13. Dolphins - Jason Taylor or Joey Porter

Week 14. Panthers - Julius Peppers

Week 15. Bills - Aaron Schobel

Week 17. Texans - Mario Williams

That's a lot of potential problems and headaches for the LT position this season, assuming everyone on that list stays healthy. On top of that, I didn't include the Jets who have shown that they can bring pressure from multiple people. Last year, when people had concerns over Matt Light, they were told that the entire line was suffering due to the loss of Stephen Neal. And, after he came back, it appeared those people were right as you could see the line play get better. This season, the entirety of the line has been intact but they still seem to struggle as a whole, particularly on the left side of the line which is anchored by Light. So, I am calling for somebody, anybody here on this forum make an argument to point out why my concerns for him at LT are unjustified and sway me in his favor.

Like I said in another thread I think Light is getting worse each year,He used to be my favorite lineman in this decade (besides Joe Andruzzi) but now he is washed up IMO,He cannot hold his own against speed rushers from the left side and maybe a move to the right side and Vollmer giving it a shot may help.

 

[Mosi Moose]

Like I said in another thread I think Light is getting worse each year,He used to be my favorite lineman in this decade (besides Joe Andruzzi) but now he is washed up IMO,He cannot hold his own against speed rushers from the left side and maybe a move to the right side and Vollmer giving it a shot may help.

Agreed. I would also be OK with spending a high pick on a LT next year and start developing him for 2011.

 

[farn]

He's not getting face time in Canton (unless BB or TFB ask him to present), but he's sometimes followed up a stinker with a solid performance. I think he is more than serviceable, with the acceptance that he won't be the NE LT for much longer (in years, not games I mean).

If we really think he is the reason they are 1-1 instead of 2-0 I think we're wrong.

 

[Kontradiction]

Like I said in another thread I think Light is getting worse each year,He used to be my favorite lineman in this decade (besides Joe Andruzzi) but now he is washed up IMO,He cannot hold his own against speed rushers from the left side and maybe a move to the right side and Vollmer giving it a shot may help.

If you think Brady is going to get blasted with Light in there then you have no idea what you'd be in for if the Pats put Vollmer in there as his replacement. I do agree, though, that Light would be better suited moving over to the right side of the line. The only problem with that is the Pats only have an extremely raw and unpolished rookie to replace him as of right now. I think we may be seeing Vollmer in 2010 but, outside of injuries, he's not going to start on the OL in 2009.

 

[JSn]

I think the only real answer is: What else we got?

Vollmer looks good, but he is far from ready to play LT full time.

Options are Kaczur (it's fine to hate him, but largely irrational; he's playing well, and "swings both ways") and LeVoir (also a swing tackle who showed well last year).

I think we have to trust Matt for the year, come-what-may, simply due to no better options. But I agree with the premise, he's looking to either get Vrabel'd or Bruschi'd in '10 or at the VERY latest '11.

 

[doesntmatter1]

You put up a hell of an argument, but over the years i see that light only struggles with 3(Schoebel, taylor, freeney). Considering that we passed 50 times against the Jets, if Brady was in old form he seemed to be given ample time to throw. I expect light to be perfectly fine tommorrow. Also, over the years i have noticed that light has great endurance. During alot of brady's 29 or so comeback wins in the 4th quarter you don't usually see brady on his back from the blindside. If we wear out the defense with a running game, light seems to get better.

Lastly, I have to comment on the fact that we have looked bad in divisional games. The only time we have ever swept our division was in 07. Divisional games aren't easy, especially ours(no matter how good we are i consider the dolphins a threat like in 04). Divisional opponents know our tendencies so you cant judge light so hard in these games. It was only last year that the Bills started out 5-1 and couldn't win a single divisional game.

If light somehow struggles the next 2 weeks ill maybe admit you are on to something. Maybe Cbass will push light for time. It not like light has ever had serious competition before and competition always brings out the best in players. But great post Kontradiction.

 

[SyN65]

He's been getting progressively worse each year, but he's the best we got...

 

[Kontradiction]

You put up a hell of an argument, but over the years i see that light only struggles with 3(Schoebel, taylor, freeney). Considering that we passed 50 times against the Jets, if Brady was in old form he seemed to be given ample time to throw. I expect light to be perfectly fine tommorrow. Also, over the years i have noticed that light has great endurance. During alot of brady's 29 or so comeback wins in the 4th quarter you don't usually see brady on his back from the blindside. If we wear out the defense with a running game, light seems to get better.

Lastly, I have to comment on the fact that we have looked bad in divisional games. The only time we have ever swept our division was in 07. Divisional games aren't easy, especially ours(no matter how good we are i consider the dolphins a threat like in 04). Divisional opponents know our tendencies so you cant judge light so hard in these games. It was only last year that the Bills started out 5-1 and couldn't win a single divisional game.

If light somehow struggles the next 2 weeks ill maybe admit you are on to something. Maybe Cbass will push light for time. It not like light has ever had serious competition before and competition always brings out the best in players. But great post Kontradiction.

It's true that the first two games have been division games. However, when was the last time this team played teams with this many elite pass rushers (I count 10 weeks out of the 17 weeks in the regular season) in a season before? On top of that, when was the last time the team did it with a major question mark at the LT position. I sincerely hope you are right about his struggles being an effect of playing against two inner-division teams. This week will be a good test as even the "great" (what a f'n joke that is) Jake Long was run over by John Abraham.

 

[Kontradiction]

So... is the anonymous nancyboy that one starred this thread going to take a stab at it or just hit and run? I've been waiting a good 20 minutes now.

 

[mgteich]

Light is an adequate LT with two years left on his contract. We have two players already in place to replace him in 2010: Vollmer and LeVoir. If they aren't ready, we have the option to keep Light for the 2010 season. We also have the option to draft another OT next year. It seems that we are in fine shape at this critical position.

 

[JSn]

So... is the anonymous nancyboy that one starred this thread going to take a stab at it or just hit and run? I've been waiting a good 20 minutes now.

Hey, don't make fun of Matt that way! You'd one star a thread about yourself, too.

 

[crowell33]

There are worse starting LTs in the NFL than Light.

 

[patsfan-1982]

There are worse starting LTs in the NFL than Light.

i agree i think the fact that he is protecting the face of the NFL ( tom brady ) every thing he dose is under a Microscope

 

[Ring 6]

I'll take a shot, but you make some many assumptions that you seem to have made up your mind.
First, I think that fans of any team are enormously too critical of of key players that have sole responsbility to stop good opponents.
Corners are rarely liked because if they are beaten once deep or allow a 3rd down conversion, they automatically suck. Same with OL and particaluarly LTs.
Wrs catch deep passes, all teams convert 3rd downs, and every OL, especially LTs give up sacks.
Light is the perfect example. You say he 'struggles' against elite pass rushers. Well, elite pass rushers typically get around 12 sacks a season. That is 3/4s per game. So if Light 'struggles' vs elite pass rushers then they would need to be getting significantly more than 3/4s of a sack a game, which doesn't happen.
In other words, Light faces elite players often. He does a better job than most against them, yet since they are elite, they do beat him sometimes.
I infer from your post that the only thing acceptable is for him to turn elite players into stiffs, and that is just unrealistic IMO.
I do not have the stats to show this handy (Ive looked it up in the past) but if I have time I may look into it. BTW, the tricky issue is whether 2008s stats are telling because he is aging or irrelevant because of Cassels lack of awareness, especially early in the season.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

Players sell themselves.
I agree with some of your points and the LT position is extremely vital-just look at some of the previously mentioned matchups for this year...
Quote from above:

Week 1. Buffalo - Aaron Schobel: I think it's safe to say Light lost that battle.

Week 3. Atlanta - John Abraham

Week 4. Baltimore - Terrell Suggs

Week 6. Titans - Kyle Vanden Bosch

Week 9. Dolphins - Joey Porter/Jason Taylor (depending on what their scheme for that week is)

Week 10. Colts - Dwight Freeney (another guy Light has traditionally struggled with)

Week 13. Dolphins - Jason Taylor or Joey Porter

Week 14. Panthers - Julius Peppers

Week 15. Bills - Aaron Schobel

Week 17. Texans - Mario Williams

Matt Light has had one of the toughest jobs here for a while.
It's obvious that our team has considered his replacement and we may see someone start filling in the LT (like Vollmer) or draft or a FA...I dunno.

Right now he is who we have and he is what he is-right?
He's also surrounded by Logan Mankins who is a dominant player and Dan Koppen who is solid. The O line is a team (TE's and Back incl.).

As long as he plays with passion:
Matt Light: "I think for us up front, it's just a matter of recognizing what they do, trying to get a hat on a hat, and it really comes down to the physical side of it - who can outlast the other guy. I think this is going to be a really big challenge for us offensively."

Asked if he was worried about other opponents trying to get under his skin, Light smiled and replied, "I've been here eight years, boss, and this isn't my first rodeo. I think we're all good."

Matt:
The Light Foundation, Inc. - About Matt

Light's always got Brady's back; Patriots left tackle Matt Light is stabilizing force in protecting QB great - GloucesterTimes.com, Gloucester, MA

Light fined, but avoids suspension - The Boston Globe

Don’t call New England Patriots left tackle Matt Light a meanderer | internet128.com

Mike Reiss' blog - Heart to heart - ESPN Boston

Dirty? Patriots' Matt Light says he's not - USATODAY.com


The past few games were not Matt Lights fault

You should be more concerned with other facets of our game.
We need to stick together as fans/team...it truly is a team game and give the gang more confidence....C'mon...remember the 80's and 90's???

Play physical tomorrow Matt! We need you and the boys to play smarter and harder....like Pro Bowlers!

Go Pats!

 

[klinefan]

I see him having a hard time playing RT for some reason. Maybe LG would be better for him after Mankins leaves next year.

He is pretty useless though, I'll admit. Not kennyB but almost.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Matt has trouble against the speed rushers but he stands in there and gives his best. What we really need if Matt is in there is someone to help him out ... like a TE would be nice. 4 and 5 wide looks nice and pretty but it comes with the price of no help for the LT or RT.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

I see him having a hard time playing RT for some reason. Maybe LG would be better for him after Mankins leaves next year.

He is pretty useless though, I'll admit. Not kennyB but almost.

Mankins is leaving next year?

Useless?
I'd like to see you try and last 2 minutes playing LT.

Look at my post above.

 

[stcjones]

Through the past few seasons as Light has aged, we've seen him struggle against the upper echelon of the league's pass rushers and some not-so-elite pass rushers. Time and time again, when his ability at the LT position has been questioned, people more often than not respond with, "well, he was going up against Elite Pass Rusher A (you can really just substitute Aaron Schobel, Jason Taylor, or Joey Porter in here and still win) and he traditionally struggles against him". Uh, okay? If he struggles against elite pass rushers, why the hell is playing LT and protecting the franchise's blind side? Let's take a look at some of the good pass rushers he has and likely will be facing this season...

Week 1. Buffalo - Aaron Schobel: I think it's safe to say Light lost that battle.

Week 3. Atlanta - John Abraham

Week 4. Baltimore - Terrell Suggs

Week 6. Titans - Kyle Vanden Bosch

Week 9. Dolphins - Joey Porter/Jason Taylor (depending on what their scheme for that week is)

Week 10. Colts - Dwight Freeney (another guy Light has traditionally struggled with)

Week 13. Dolphins - Jason Taylor or Joey Porter

Week 14. Panthers - Julius Peppers

Week 15. Bills - Aaron Schobel

Week 17. Texans - Mario Williams

That's a lot of potential problems and headaches for the LT position this season, assuming everyone on that list stays healthy. On top of that, I didn't include the Jets who have shown that they can bring pressure from multiple people. Last year, when people had concerns over Matt Light, they were told that the entire line was suffering due to the loss of Stephen Neal. And, after he came back, it appeared those people were right as you could see the line play get better. This season, the entirety of the line has been intact but they still seem to struggle as a whole, particularly on the left side of the line which is anchored by Light. So, I am calling for somebody, anybody here on this forum make an argument to point out why my concerns for him at LT are unjustified and sway me in his favor.

he and kaczur are the weak links on the OL.........sometimes they step up and play well.....but when you look back at a loss where the O struggled, and there was blown pass coverage and run blocking.....so much of the time it was Light or Kaczur.......Light is ready for the scrap heap after this year......no choice this year really///////