One idle thought after the preseason win at Tampa Bay

[patfanken]

Its late. Its only a 2nd preseason game. One that neither side game plans for. Its a game where the Pats have a distinct advantage over TB because of the lack of an off season. The Pats have an established culture and way of doing things that allows them to be more prepared AT THIS TIME to play a game. Remember teams have barely had 10 padded practices. Many important pieces are not playing...for both sides. so what we saw was what was supposed to happen. Its OK to be pleased with the results......just don't get too smug.

In an odd way, I'm actually sorry things went so well. I would like to see the team get through some adversity during this off season. Because there will be several times during the course of this season when the team will have to fight through adversity..

I'm sure most of the major topics have been discused, but I just want to comment on two particular plays that were very significant to me, and they concerned Nate Solder.

His play in the play during the first 20 minutes was nothing short of amazing. NO one was getting around him. His footwork was beautiful to watch. His run blocking was sudden. athletic, and powerful. I saw just a single play where he lost leverage and was backed into Brady giving up a "hurry", All in all it was the kind of performance that HAD to have a lot of Pats fans thinking that MAYBE Matt Light isn't going to get is job back without a serious challenge .

Then it happened. A TB DE makes him look line a raw rookie when he executed a nice inside move to sack Brady, But in what was the most significant play in Nat Solder's night came the very next play. Brady drops back. the TB DE makes the same move, and Solder STONES him.

I really think this kid is special. I wouldn't lose a second's sleep if he had to start day one. I can't imagine how good he is going to be when he's 20 lbs heavier and 10% stronger in a year or two.

All this in less that 3 weeks of practice after an entire off season of no contact with the team. IIRC it didn't look like he busted on any assignments and did get called for a penalty.. I predict (and I'm not going out on a limb here) that Nate Solder will go down as being the 3rd best pick in the BB era. And that's my idle thought

BTW- Ryan Mallet took a big step back tonight. However Tom Curran put it very well wen he said, "Mallet had a game he had to have" It was the step back that will enable him to go 2 stepps forward.

And thank god for the 2nd half. I bet I wasn't alone when mid way through the 2nd quarter I was worried that Bill was gong to lack enough "coachble points" for tomorrow's Film study

Lots of other things to tp talk about and discuss, but I said I'd be brief (for me), Besides its a long week between games. I don't want to use all of my bullets in a single blast.

 

[supafly]

Re: One idle thought

Nice analysis as always Ken.

 

[ALP]

Re: One idle thought

so whos the 2nd best BB pick????

 

[sportsreport360]

Re: One idle thought

Nate Solder definitely played with some fire tonight and he does an excellent job of learning from his mistakes. A lot of times players think to much and become robotic during the games which leads to mistakes. Solder seems to be picking things up very quickly, which is impressive and he has great technique. He seems to have a bright future, particularly with the ease that the Patriots' coaching staff seems to have in developing players.

 

[DarrylS]

Re: One idle thought

The Dante Scarnecchia School for Offensive Linemen is in session...

Nice analysis...

 

[Coach42]

Re: One idle thought

so whos the 2nd best BB pick????

Gotta be Richard Seymour, right?

1.) Brady
2.) Seymour
3.) T. Warren
4.) Samuel
5.) Mayo

Very debatable topic, I'm looking at my own list and disagreeing with it already.

 

[Clonamery]

Re: One idle thought

Gotta be Richard Seymour, right?

1.) Brady
2.) Seymour
3.) T. Warren
4.) Samuel
5.) Mayo

Very debatable topic, I'm looking at my own list and disagreeing with it already.

Hmmm, Mankins?

 

[BlueThunder]

Re: One idle thought

Does McCourty get a spot ? Maybe too early...I'll wait to see how he does this year.....

 

[PushnPencils]

Re: One idle thought

Its late. Its only a 2nd preseason game. One that neither side game plans for. Its a game where the Pats have a distinct advantage over TB because of the lack of an off season. The Pats have an established culture and way of doing things that allows them to be more prepared AT THIS TIME to play a game. Remember teams have barely had 10 padded practices. Many important pieces are not playing...for both sides. so what we saw was what was supposed to happen. Its OK to be pleased with the results......just don't get too smug.

In an odd way, I'm actually sorry things went so well. I would like to see the team get through some adversity during this off season. Because there will be several times during the course of this season when the team will have to fight through adversity..

I'm sure most of the major topics have been discused, but I just want to
comment on two particular plays that were very significant to me, and they concerned Nate Solder.

His play in the play during the first 20 minutes was nothing short of amazing. NO one was getting around him. His footwork was beautiful to watch. His run blocking was sudden. athletic, and powerful. I saw just a single play where he lost leverage and was backed into Brady giving up a "hurry", All in all it was the kind of performance that HAD to have a lot of Pats fans thinking that MAYBE Matt Light isn't going to get is job back without a serious challenge .

Then it happened. A TB DE makes him look line a raw rookie when he executed a nice inside move to sack Brady, But in what was the most significant play in Nat Solder's night came the very next play. Brady drops back. the TB DE makes the same move, and Solder STONES him.

I really think this kid is special. I wouldn't lose a second's sleep if he had to start day one. I can't imagine how good he is going to be when he's 20 lbs heavier and 10% stronger in a year or two.

All this in less that 3 weeks of practice after an entire off season of no contact with the team. IIRC it didn't look like he busted on any assignments and did get called for a penalty.. I predict (and I'm not going out on a limb here) that Nate Solder will go down as being the 3rd best pick in the BB era. And that's my idle thought

BTW- Ryan Mallet took a big step back tonight. However Tom Curran put it very well wen he said, "Mallet had a game he had to have" It was the step back that will enable him to go 2 stepps forward.

And thank god for the 2nd half. I bet I wasn't alone when mid way through
the 2nd quarter I was worried that Bill was gong to lack enough "coachble points" for tomorrow's Film study

Lots of other things to tp talk about and discuss, but I said I'd be brief (for me), Besides its a long week between games. I don't want to use all of my bullets in a single blast.

In Mallet's defense, I have to say he didn't come back tentative or tight after that INT. Case in point was the scramble to elude pressure and laser beam pass to Slater. That impressed me.

 

[Mark Morse]

Re: One idle thought

I'm sure most of the major topics have been discused, but I just want to comment on two particular plays that were very significant to me, and they concerned Nate Solder.

His play in the play during the first 20 minutes was nothing short of amazing. NO one was getting around him. His footwork was beautiful to watch. His run blocking was sudden. athletic, and powerful. I saw just a single play where he lost leverage and was backed into Brady giving up a "hurry", All in all it was the kind of performance that HAD to have a lot of Pats fans thinking that MAYBE Matt Light isn't going to get is job back without a serious challenge .

Then it happened. A TB DE makes him look line a raw rookie when he executed a nice inside move to sack Brady, But in what was the most significant play in Nat Solder's night came the very next play. Brady drops back. the TB DE makes the same move, and Solder STONES him.

I really think this kid is special. I wouldn't lose a second's sleep if he had to start day one. I can't imagine how good he is going to be when he's 20 lbs heavier and 10% stronger in a year or two.

All this in less that 3 weeks of practice after an entire off season of no contact with the team. IIRC it didn't look like he busted on any assignments and did get called for a penalty.. I predict (and I'm not going out on a limb here) that Nate Solder will go down as being the 3rd best pick in the BB era. And that's my idle thought

Before we start to mold the bust of Nate the Great for enshrinment in Canton, I want to add that the sack he gave up was not all his fault. Vollmer lost his man on the play and that outside pressure from Brady's right forced Brady up in the pocket, right into Solder's man who took an inside rush.

I am amazed how well Solder is doing considering it is only three weeks. I was down on his selection because of what I had seen in the Senior Bowl practices. He was consistently beat on plays, inside, outside and bull rush. Oh I understood the selection because of his great potential. I just can't believe what a transformation that Dante Scarnecchia has made with him in three weeks!

 

[l_j_r]

Re: One idle thought

... interesting stuff ken ... pats have looked impressive so far in both games ...

... solder seems to be performing as brick does with the jets ... very solid from the outset ... just needed a little bulking up to reach him full potential ... hope he hits some speed bumps along the way ... but hasn't shown a propensity for it yet ...


... josh freeman had been getting a lot of media love since the end of last season ... will be interesting to see what spin is put on it after you guys put him in his place ...



... bluethunder - mccourty has been an excellent player for you guys so far as well ...










l_j_r

 

[Zeus]

Re: One idle thought

Solder is far and away the skinniest 318 lb man I have ever seen.

 

[borg]

Re: One idle thought

Here we go:
I haven't seen a Patriots D get after it like that since.....Willie M spear heading that goal line stand vs Indy years ago. They imposed there will. After too many years of bend /don't break...could this be the year that BB has an '85 Bears like D to go with the high octane offense. Dare to dream.
Last night, we got to witness the beauty of D linemen fighting for roster spots. G Warren....who was that guy last night? He went from a space absorbing load last year to a meat eating pit bull last night. Big Vince...how can a guy so big be so light on his feet. This D has to be fun for him and the rest of the big boys. Think about how games progressed last year. For the most part, Pats get the lead....Opposition starts picking away through the air while the front 7 plays lock up. I hated it....just hated it. If this D can sustain pressure throuhout the season, teams will need to go into max protection more often...and the secondary will have more double coverage and that 3rd down % will crash to Earth.
Mayo....he will be in the Defensive Player of the Year discussion. Book it now. BB knows what he has ....smart player that will be given free reign to move around....LT? In two paragraghs I've tossed about the "85 Bears and LT....yeah...I like what I'm seeing.
Solder...the inside move has been his achilles....but his crazy athleticism will make the running game really tick. Did you see him pulling last night...Huge guy, light on his feet, seeling off the defender. Add Gronk to the huge white guys that can pull squad. In fact, that triple TE alignment will mess up D coordinators brains every week "What the Fu** are they up to...Power Sweep? Pulling up the middle? Jail Break pass pattern. Brady will read it... and this will be fun.
Depth: Its nuts. Their entire 2011 draft was for depth...for now. What team has that luxory. And BB gets to double down in the draft next year as well. Remarkable how BB runs this team. I shake my head in amazement how this organization operates. 53 moving parts...pulled together by our Hoodie. Walsh and BB....and then the rest. Not even close.
We are lucky.......now lets stay healthy and see this through

 

[Metaphors]

Re: One idle thought

I really think this kid is special. I wouldn't lose a second's sleep if he had to start day one. I can't imagine how good he is going to be when he's 20 lbs heavier and 10% stronger in a year or two.

Agree with your observations. Honestly I have a hard time evaluating his upside. When you watch him, it looks like he could be as good as he wants to be...essentially no limits on his upside. But my gut instincts aren't convinced yet. There just seems to be something missing and my hope is that it is just increasing strength and fine-tuning technique.

The preseason games have really helped me evaluate his floor better than his ceiling. He seems to be impossible to get around cleanly (Light certainly can't say that) and he is a battler. If Brady and the receivers can stay on tempo, that should be enough to keep Brady upright.

Similar observation with his run blocking. While he isn't blowing the DL back off the LOS (yet), Solder is able to lock on and create seams. That seems to fit well with the running styles of the Pats RBs...including Vereen I hope.

I'm thinking that Solder is going to see a reasonable amount of snaps this year even without injuries. That makes me feel better since redshirting a non-QB #17 pick is certainly not optimal.

BTW- Ryan Mallet took a big step back tonight. However Tom Curran put it very well wen he said, "Mallet had a game he had to have" It was the step back that will enable him to go 2 stepps forward.

I understand what you are saying and agree to some extent. I actually was impressed at how in control Mallett seemed in a hostile environment with few legit weapons at his disposal outside of Ridley. The pick was so bad that it had to be a complete miscommunication with the receivers. Does that happen if Tate, Price and Edelperson are on the field? I'm not so sure. Even his sack was a good decision. He held the ball long enough to allow the play to develop but didn't "Vick" the ball when the pocket broke down.

I doubt Mallett plays much next week, but I hope he gets most of the action in game 4. Playing QB is equal art and science and he won't be taking live fire again for a year. Would love to see him develop into the backup next year and be a hot commodity for any team willing to give up some top picks.

 

[satz]

Re: One idle thought

TB did alter the game plan, they could not get to solder with there usual faster DE , but they moved a DT out and then they started having good result against solder.

More teams that watch this will kick a DT as end or make the 3-4 end line up outside the tackle box over him.... He needs to get stronger and get this pad level down. Its not he needs to get stronger more than play with proper technique.

If i am 3-4 team i will line up a backup NT on the solder to create headaches.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Re: One idle thought

The Mallett pick six brought back WTF? memories of Drew Bledsoe...soon to be inducted in the Pats HOF. Props to the kid for running an offense of backups and cut bait excepting #22 who looks better than any RB here since CM's rookie season.

 

[condon84]

Re: One idle thought

Gotta be Richard Seymour, right?

1.) Brady
2.) Seymour
3.) T. Warren
4.) Samuel
5.) Mayo

Very debatable topic, I'm looking at my own list and disagreeing with it already.

I'd replace Warren with Wilfork, and Mayo with Mankins. But otherwise. I agree.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Re: One idle thought

so whos the 2nd best BB pick????

I'd have to go with Brady as his best pick, and Seymour as his 2nd best pick for now. Though there have been some really good players drafted by the Pats recently. Gronkowski and McCourty can certainly work their way up the list. I am optimistic about Solder but I'm not sure I'd put him at 3rd best overall so soon, especially as there are a bunch of very good to great Pats players for him to contend with. Ain't preseason fun though?

 

[RodThePat]

Re: One idle thought

Gotta be Richard Seymour, right?

1.) Brady
2.) Seymour
3.) T. Warren
4.) Samuel
5.) Mayo

Very debatable topic, I'm looking at my own list and disagreeing with it already.

Wilfork? Mankins? McCourty? Don't know how in the hell can you have Ty Warren in this list.

 

[Shelterdog]

Re: One idle thought

so whos the 2nd best BB pick????

Koppen or Samuel ight? Getting pro bowl players late in the draft is just remarkable.