Bedard: Retirement Seems Likely for Light

[TomPatriot]

Retirement seems likely for Light; Branch re-signs - Extra Points - New England Patriots News and Analysis - Boston.com

 

[JackBauer]

Thank God we drafted Solder and Cannon.

 

[pork3]

Sad to hear this, if true, and a bit concerned as to how well Solder will fit in, assuming he's the de facto left tackle.
I guess this could partially explain the Fells signing (outside of a tight end backup), as he will likely be taking on the blocking responsibilities Solder had last year.

-Jamman

 

[PATSNUTme]

How does that statement from Kraft make it "likely" that Light will retire? He mentioned Branch and Branch just resigned.

Slow news day compared to yesterday but I think it's kind of a reach to take Krafts statement and convert that into Light's retirement being likely.

 

[Sicilian]

I know we signed Gallery, but between Mankins potential to miss some games and this news, drafting another OL seems like a prudent move.

As for Light, a sure fire Patriots Hall of Famer in my mind. LT protecting Brady through 5 super bowls with 3 super bowl wins. If this is the end for him, I thank him for some great service to this team.

 

[TomPatriot]

How does that statement from Kraft make it "likely" that Light will retire? He mentioned Banch and Branch just resigned.

Slow news day compared to yesterday but I think it's kind of a reach to take Krafts statement and covert that into Light's retirement likely.

I think if you read the dialogue between Kraft and Bedard, the subtext is that Kraft already knows Light is retiring. Then again it doesn't happen until Light announces it.

 

[Ivan]

Wow, a writer who backs up his piece with more than "some people say," or " " a source says ....." Kraft clearly thinks light is done and that says something. Big loss, good thing Belichick was so proactive building the line for the future.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Thank God we drafted Solder and Cannon.

Wish we would have kept Larsen around on the PS though,he has turned into a solid OL for the Bucs

 

[Rob0729]

The bad news is that Light seemed to get better with age with arguably one of his best season last year. The good news is his retirement frees up another $5 million in cap space while the Pats already have his replacement on the roster.

Not the best news to hear, but there is some good upside to go with the downside.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

The bad news is that Light seemed to get better with age with arguably one of his best season last year. The good news is his retirement frees up another $5 million in cap space while the Pats already have his replacement on the roster.

Not the best news to hear, but there is some good upside to go with the downside.

The one downside with Light as a player is that he simply can't play RT, as opposed to Vollmer and Solder.

 

[BTTA]

It is sad, indeed, but probably better for the team in the long run. I'm amazed we got such a good year out of him in 2011, and the odds on him performing as the best LT we have in 2012 are a lot smaller. Given that, $5M is a lot of cap space for a guy who has a good chance of being replaced by a younger player because he fades or gets injured, and the younger player gets better.

I salute you Mr. Light, you've been a great Patriot.

 

[MP-Logick]

Unless the Patriots intend Gallery to fill in at tackle we may need to draft someone...I see depth at guard on the roster but only Solder, Vollmer, and Cannon who can play tackle. An injury to one would be problematic.

 

[borg]

2011 was Light's best season in half a decade. Puzzling why he would leave money on the table at the top of his game. If true....always nice to know that those extra picks are sitting in BB's pocket....ready to fill holes.

 

[eom]

How does that statement from Kraft make it "likely" that Light will retire? He mentioned Banch and Branch just resigned.

and he's implying light will resign -- where's the confusion?

or at least that's what people are reading into it.

 

[PATSNUTme]

I think if you read the dialogue between Kraft and Bedard, the subtext is that Kraft already knows Light is retiring. Then again it doesn't happen until Light announces it.

Right you are, it doesn't happen until Light announces it. If people want to read between lines or come up with "subtext", that is up to them.

He still may retire but I didn't get anything from the articile that it was any more or less likely to happen.

Many older players "consider" retirement right after the season is over. Their bodies hurt and they don't know if they want to put in the off season work they will need to do. Then after a couple of months they decide that they will either miss the game too much or they will miss the $, or both, and thoughts of retirement go away.

 

[BradyManny]

We're already in $3 million for the signing bonus last year*, so for another $5 million, I really can't see a guy out there on the market that can give us the value Light can. So I'd much rather see him return.

*can someone explain to me how retirement works with a signing bonus. Obviously a signing bonus is paid the instant the contract is signed, but at the same token, Light isn't fulfilling his end of the contract to be employed for two years. It's a similar situation to Dillon where there's a chunk of amortized bonus $$ left, and I know we had dead money that year.

 

[patfanken]

It would be sad to see Light retire, especially after such a good year. It would also make be sad to think that I won't be able to make my annual plea to have Light slide down to LG appeal.

This year would have been perfect in the great scheme of things. Solder outplays him at LT, Mankins on the PUP until week 8. Light with the prospect of being a back up OT, comes in and plays a STELLAR LG, like I predicted and always knew he could.

I have been banging this drum for almost a decade, and now it will never happen. Very sad. But there is still hope. The Reality is probably more like this.

Light sees Solder's talent, and/or the Pats have already told him that Solder was going to be the LT this season. Light's OK with this, since he knows that Solder is only going to get better, while he is likely only to get worse. However he doesn't want to do what he has to do to get ready for another season in the NFL. Its not worth the $3.5MM he'd get. Light's a smart guy and knows its better to go out a year early than a year late.....and calls it a career

.....and Patfanken will NEVER know how Matt Light would have been if he'd been allowed to play LG.

 

[patfanken]

We're already in $3 million for the signing bonus last year*, so for another $5 million, I really can't see a guy out there on the market that can give us the value Light can. So I'd much rather see him return.

*can someone explain to me how retirement works with a signing bonus. Obviously a signing bonus is paid the instant the contract is signed, but at the same token, Light isn't fulfilling his end of the contract to be employed for two years. It's a similar situation to Dillon where there's a chunk of amortized bonus $$ left, and I know we had dead money that year.

I'm pretty sure that if the contract isn't fulfilled the team can ask for the prorated share of the signing bonus back. Getting to keep the full signing bonus, generally means that the entire contract has to be fulfilled.

A better question to ask would be, will the Pats ask for the money back?

 

[voluntarysaftey]

Hopefully he stays in shape. Would be nice if he were able to be called upon if someone goes down -- or toward the end of the season similar to Seau's last year to provide depth -- then we'd get the best of both world's -- Solder improves by having to play LT, Light is around when it matters most.

 

[patsderoer]

The one downside with Light as a player is that he simply can't play RT, as opposed to Vollmer and Solder.

Protecting the blindside of the QB is much more important than RT. Who cares that he can't play RT, he's played LT as best as anyone else in the league.

I hope that he decides to continue. He's coming from one of his best seasons, why not give it another go?