The future of Light and Kaczur in New England

[mgteich]

Light and Kaczur

Would we really not re-sign Light and cut Kazcur?

That would give us Solder and Vollmer as starters (fine so far)
and Manieri and LeVoir as backups.

I guess that we would be in the market for a backup OT. Obviously, there would be plenty of cap savings after not re-signeing Light and waving Kaczur. Alos, we wouldn't have to cut Kaczur before we had a replacement signed and even tested in camp. Kaczur is under contract.

 

[eom]

Re: Light and Kaczur

I think they'd be interested in light, depending on contract demands, and I don't think kaczur really matters --- I thought maybe he was even going to retire.

anyway, as of right now they don't need cap space as there's no cap.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Re: Light and Kaczur

Solder had one more season of starting than Vollmer, but he's also coming to the team two years younger then Vollmer did, so he's still settling into his body. Scar started Vollmer off as 3rd OT, injuries moved him into the starting line-up by week six, but he'd had some time to adjust to the speed of the NFL subbing in for Light and Kaczur. I'm inclined to think Scar might like to start him a little slow too, especially in a shortened off-season.

I'd try to re-sign Light, he may decide he doesn't want to do that, which is his perogative, but if he'll come back it'll likely help things.

Kaczur is signed for two more seasons. He's a candidate for RG. If Light doesn't return, he can step in as the starting LT until Scar is ready to throw Solder into the fire.

Injuries are another factor, no one expected to lose Kaczur (or Warren or Bodden) last Summer. Look how quickly NE was down to the #3 LG. If there's anything like a "normal" Training Camp NE will want a couple extra warm bodies at OT just to have some depth.

 

[Frezo]

Re: Light and Kaczur

They almost have to sign Light. He's the only seasoned tackle. I don't trust anyone else and with a shortened training camp and no workout sessions I'm really skeptical that Solder will be ready for week one. Did the stay come in before or after they drafted him? I'm wondering if they might have slipped him a play book.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Re: Light and Kaczur

They almost have to sign Light. He's the only seasoned tackle. I don't trust anyone else and with a shortened training camp and no workout sessions I'm really skeptical that Solder will be ready for week one. Did the stay come in before or after they drafted him? I'm wondering if they might have slipped him a play book.

Indy's Geoff Saturday on NFL Total Access a few weeks back assured the viewers that draft picks would get a playbook, somehow, someway, they'd have one. My own theory is last season's captains went home with some before the lockout and were in charge of seeing the new kids got some guidance right away.

As an aside, I read where Brushi or somone who knows NE talked about how BB uses NE's first pick in the draft as his rookie "captain." I bring this up because Ryan Mallett in an interview transcript I read mentioned Nate Solder calling him to welcome him to the team. BB's "system" is in place and working to that extent.

 

[mgteich]

Re: Light and Kaczur

I'm fine with Kaczur as our swing backup OT, and starter at OG if there is an injury. Those are plenty of roles to justify his salary.

Solder had one more season of starting than Vollmer, but he's also coming to the team two years younger then Vollmer did, so he's still settling into his body. Scar started Vollmer off as 3rd OT, injuries moved him into the starting line-up by week six, but he'd had some time to adjust to the speed of the NFL subbing in for Light and Kaczur. I'm inclined to think Scar might like to start him a little slow too, especially in a shortened off-season.

I'd try to re-sign Light, he may decide he doesn't want to do that, which is his perogative, but if he'll come back it'll likely help things.

Kaczur is signed for two more seasons. He's a candidate for RG. If Light doesn't return, he can step in as the starting LT until Scar is ready to throw Solder into the fire.

Injuries are another factor, no one expected to lose Kaczur (or Warren or Bodden) last Summer. Look how quickly NE was down to the #3 LG. If there's anything like a "normal" Training Camp NE will want a couple extra warm bodies at OT just to have some depth.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Light and Kaczur

Would we really not re-sign Light and cut Kazcur?

That would give us Solder and Vollmer as starters (fine so far)
and Manieri and LeVoir as backups.

I guess that we would be in the market for a backup OT. Obviously, there would be plenty of cap savings after not re-signeing Light and waving Kaczur. Alos, we wouldn't have to cut Kaczur before we had a replacement signed and even tested in camp. Kaczur is under contract.

As of right now, there is no salary cap and money isn't as relevant. A lot of decisions of this sort will have to wait upon the new CBA, when there's a new baseline for salary numbers.

 

[Fencer]

Re: Light and Kaczur

I've been assuming there are teams out there with a need at LT, who don't already have an heir apparent in place. If I'm right, such teams could surely offer Light a better deal than New England would.

Umm -- am I right?

 

[PatsFans.com Article]

The future of Light and Kaczur in New England
By: John Morgan

Does the drafting of Nate Solder have an effect on the future of Matt Light and Nick Kaczur? Would the Pats retain Kaczur rather than Light? Is there a chance both stay - or both are gone?...

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Re: Light and Kaczur

I've been assuming there are teams out there with a need at LT, who don't already have an heir apparent in place. If I'm right, such teams could surely offer Light a better deal than New England would.

Umm -- am I right?

Maybe. He's 32, and not a "fit" for every team, but all it takes is one to outbid the Pats. I'd say it depends on what role(s) BB and Scar see for him, and what NE is willing to pay a player in those roles.

 

[Fencer]

Re: Light and Kaczur

Maybe. He's 32, and not a "fit" for every team, but all it takes is one to outbid the Pats. I'd say it depends on what role(s) BB and Scar see for him, and what NE is willing to pay a player in those roles.

My question was more along the lines of -- are there identifiable teams with that sort of need?

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Light and Kaczur

My question was more along the lines of -- are there identifiable teams with that sort of need?

First one I think of off the top of my head....

The Chiefs have Albert at LT and Richardson at RT. If they signed Light and moved Albert to RT, it would be a huge upgrade for them.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Re: Light and Kaczur

My question was more along the lines of -- are there identifiable teams with that sort of need?

The easiest way would be to go to the NFL.com/draft page, click on one of the teams, check the "needs" listed for them, if they needed an OT you can see if they drafted one. Use the drop down menu near the top to go to each team and see what's what. It won't be 100% because NFL.com didn't have OT as a need for NE, whereas I did, but it's a start.

 

[Fencer]

Re: Light and Kaczur

First one I think of off the top of my head....

The Chiefs have Albert at LT and Richardson at RT. If they signed Light and moved Albert to RT, it would be a huge upgrade for them.

Uh-oh -- that would be a whole lot like the Chiefs picking up Vrabel.

 

[FoxWhiskey]

Re: Light and Kaczur

Resign Light for 2 years. That gives Solder time to develop and the pats can rotate their tackles.
Cut Kaczur. He is a waste of money.

 

[PittPatriot]

Re: Light and Kaczur

Resign Light for 2 years. That gives Solder time to develop and the pats can rotate their tackles.
Cut Kaczur. He is a waste of money.

I think your idea would work out very well for the Pats, but I don't think Light would take less than a 3-4y contract at this point. Two years from now, he may not draw the same level of interest from other teams.

 

[everlong]

Light isn't likely to take a two year contract as this is his last pay day. Maybe he would give a slight discount to finish his career out in NE. If that's the case however he's not going to be the starting LT probably beyond another year. So can me move to guard? @ 6-4 305 he's basically the same size as Mankins and Neal but he doesn't come off the ball as low or with the same leverage they do. Playing tackle that's expected so can he convert, I don't know.