Solder as blocking TE

[Fencer]

If I read Reiss's breakdowns correctly, he charted 19 plays last Sunday on which Solder played TE, but only 5 3-TE formations.

I.e., Solder played as the #2 TE on 14 snaps.

The plan may have been for even more than that; I don't know how it was affected by Vollmer getting hurt. (I do know that in general Cannon has played OT on downs where Solder has played TE.)

And Solder had 20 plays at TE the previous week, including one where he went out for a pass:

Charting Solder as a tight end - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

That's a pretty serious TE role for Solder.

It also suggests a way to exploit being invested in 3 different starting-quality OTs.

 

[jbb9s]

If I read Reiss's breakdowns correctly, he charted 19 plays last Sunday on which Solder played TE, but only 5 3-TE formations.

I.e., Solder played as the #2 TE on 14 snaps.

The plan may have been for even more than that; I don't know how it was affected by Vollmer getting hurt. (I do know that in general Cannon has played OT on downs where Solder has played TE.)

And Solder had 20 plays at TE the previous week, including one where he went out for a pass:

Charting Solder as a tight end - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

That's a pretty serious TE role for Solder.

It also suggests a way to exploit being invested in 3 different starting-quality OTs.

Let's not get so excited until Vollmer gets back to health. Even when he has played, he hasn't been as good as he was last year.

 

[jbb9s]

wait, are you suggesting that if Vollmer can't go, you'd rather see Cannon in there at RT and Solder in there as a TE?

Just don't know about that for the long haul. I'd rather see the best players on the line full time for snap #1 thru snap #70 every game and in this case that is Solder in there at a traditional RT.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

wait, are you suggesting that if Vollmer can't go, you'd rather see Cannon in there at RT and Solder in there as a TE?

Just don't know about that for the long haul. I'd rather see the best players on the line full time for snap #1 thru snap #70 every game and in this case that is Solder in there at a traditional RT.

I would say that when Cannon comes in, Solder moves to 3rd TE and Cannon is in at RT.

 

[The_Riddler]

wait, are you suggesting that if Vollmer can't go, you'd rather see Cannon in there at RT and Solder in there as a TE?

Just don't know about that for the long haul. I'd rather see the best players on the line full time for snap #1 thru snap #70 every game and in this case that is Solder in there at a traditional RT.

I am with you on this one. Solder never should have lost his starting RT job in the first place. He's the best RT on the team right now and that's where he belongs.

 

[MP-Logick]

So did Belichick plan this all along when he drafted him, based on Solder's previous experience as a TE? Instead of resigning Alge, he got his left tackle of the future and a dominant blocking tight end for the present.

 

[strngplyr]

So did Belichick plan this all along when he drafted him, based on Solder's previous experience as a TE? Instead of resigning Alge, he got his left tackle of the future and a dominant blocking tight end for the present.

It's possible, but I think he knew Light wouldn't be around forever and Solder looked like a unique dual-talent player that doesn't come around often.

Just another example of taking the player the BB believes is the best available at the current draft spot.

 

[jbb9s]

It's possible, but I think he knew Light wouldn't be around forever and Solder looked like a unique dual-talent player that doesn't come around often.

Just another example of taking the player the BB believes is the best available at the current draft spot.

the problem with Light is that for 90% of the time he does his job and usually to his credit he has the toughest DE matchup. But the 10% usually will come mid - elimination game where he will just suck and the offense breaks down. Its like driving a sweet sports car but you know at one point you are going to be calling AAA. Well calling AAA during an hour away from a 19-0 season really sucks, and Light was a turnstile in that game.

 

[Sciz]

So did Belichick plan this all along when he drafted him, based on Solder's previous experience as a TE? Instead of resigning Alge, he got his left tackle of the future and a dominant blocking tight end for the present.

Personally, I think the plan was to let him sit and learn, but after Smith and Yeatman failed to show anything as receivers, he figured he might as well throw a 3rd OT out there.

 

[Fencer]

Let's not get so excited until Vollmer gets back to health. Even when he has played, he hasn't been as good as he was last year.

That is, of course, the other reason it can be good to have 3 guys at 2 positions.

 

[Fencer]

wait, are you suggesting that if Vollmer can't go, you'd rather see Cannon in there at RT and Solder in there as a TE?

Just don't know about that for the long haul. I'd rather see the best players on the line full time for snap #1 thru snap #70 every game and in this case that is Solder in there at a traditional RT.

I'm saying it's already happened.

I don't know whether it's happened other than in 3-TE sets.

 

[Fencer]

So did Belichick plan this all along when he drafted him, based on Solder's previous experience as a TE? Instead of resigning Alge, he got his left tackle of the future and a dominant blocking tight end for the present.

Probably not, given BB's various tries at #3 TE this season.

Rather, I'd say that it was part of BB's faith that if you have good players, there's a way to use them.

 

[strngplyr]

Probably not, given BB's various tries at #3 TE this season.

Rather, I'd say that it was part of BB's faith that if you have good players, there's a way to use them.

This, absolutely no reason any non-qb first round talent shouldn't play as much as possible.

 

[Patsfan1102]

Im waiting for his important playoff TD catch.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I think our best offense has been with Solder at the te. Teams gear their defenses so much to stop the pass. Not many teams can handle 6ol and Gronk blocking. Vollmer is getting way too much heat. His back has been bothering him all year. We can really use him so we have the 3 tackle formations. Don't trust Cannon yet. Seabass played like an all pro last year. Destroyed Woodley, Mathis, Bear de Ojunleye(sp?) and GB stopped blitzing Matthews after Vollmer stoned him a couple of times. He's a helluva player when healthy. Hope he's healthy for the last game and playoffs. Love Solder. Looks like a young Tony Boselli. Wait til the kid gets an off-season in our weight program. Gonna put on 10-15 lbs of muscle.

 

[strngplyr]

Kinda wondering how much we'll use Cannon as a 3rd TE tomorrow.

 

[Run DMC]

I've noticed Matt Light has not been mentioned too often this year. Translation-he's playing great!

 

[Fencer]

Quick-hit thoughts after 2nd quarter - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Note the rules wrinkle.

Although rookie Nate Solder started at right tackle in place of injured Sebastian Vollmer, he is still being utilized as a tight end at times. That has rookie Marcus Cannon taking his place at right tackle, and requires Solder to leave the field for a play before he can come back on the line. Solder played four snaps as a tight end in the first half. Cannon has played six snaps at right tackle.