Nate Solder sucks this year

Yeah I said it. I don't care about whatever stats you pull up from previous years. He has been flat out terrible in the first 3 weeks this season. Solder is one of the main reasons our offense can't get going.

He looks like he's not even trying! Has he forgotten how to use his hands? He just lets Mack get into his chest plate without even putting up a fight.
https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos_h2...p4?versionId=bw96MRE.jA_mbwcDW6d6a5pFVKllEssJ

This is too easy! Mack runs right around Solder like he's a practice squad player.
https://vine.co/u/960671502246817792

A mod at another forum posted this:
"....I just see no reason why Solder should've fallen here. He wasn't off-balance, he didn't hit knee's with Mack, and Mack barely landed his hand on him (not to take anything away from Mack)...like…how?"
https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/2BA1...p4?versionId=KyTxXahugrA_8oMJjSu9NKURhVLh3gAm

Solder must be the most passive LT in the league. He waits for Mack to engage him and get his hands on him before he even makes a move. Looks like he isn't even trying. His body language also reeks of "aw shucks, oh well" like he doesn't care or take pride in his job.
http://gfycat.com/NegligibleAromaticCommongonolek



Solder will have to be benched if he doesn't smarten up really, really quick. Our offense will never go anywhere if he continues on like this. His regression is worst than Bradon Meriweathers.

Some believed that Kahlil Mack could've been the 1st overall pick, so he's pretty special as well.

That said, yes--Solder has looked mediocre to poor this year, and it is very concerning. Then again, some here never thought that he was quite as good as advertised to start with.

Really worrisome. If the offensive line gets manhandled Monday night, and Brady gets annihilated again, then the way I see it, we're going to have no choice - we're going to have to look for a trade. I don't know who we could get, but anyone who thinks Brady is going to survive this season if this keeps up is crazy.

As far as I've heard, the Raiders haven't generated even a slight pass rush this season, until they played us, and in our own house they were like the 85' Bears. WTF is going to happen when we play a good defensive line?

I don't see how Brady survives the Detroit game with this $#!% on the field.

supafly said:

Some believed that Kahlil Mack could've been the 1st overall pick, so he's pretty special as well.

That said, yes--Solder has looked mediocre to poor this year, and it is very concerning. Then again, some here never thought that he was quite as good as advertised to start with.

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I never thought he was an upgrade over Light like a lot of people seemed to think, but the OP is right: He's flat out sucked this year.

PATS16N0 said:

I never thought he was an upgrade over Light like a lot of people seemed to think, but the OP is right: He's flat out sucked this year.

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No, I certainly never felt that Solder was an upgrade over Matt Light--who I considered a very good LT.

He looked like he was coming along in certain areas since he was drafted, but hasn't looked too hot thus far 3 games into the season; that's for sure.

PATS16N0 said:

Really worrisome. If the offensive line gets manhandled Monday night, and Brady gets annihilated again, then the way I see it, we're going to have no choice - we're going to have to look for a trade. I don't know who we could get, but anyone who thinks Brady is going to survive this season if this keeps up is crazy.

As far as I've heard, the Raiders haven't generated even a slight pass rush this season, until they played us, and in our own house they were like the 85' Bears. WTF is going to happen when we play a good defensive line?

I don't see how Brady survives the Detroit game with this $#!% on the field.

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This option is definitely on the table, and I fully expect it to happen at some point in the season. The past 2 years, BB made trades at the deadline once it became clear that the depth problems at certain positions weren't going to be fixed by the rosters in place (CB in 12', DT in 13'). Given how bad the O-line has been, I expect that the FO might be willing to resort to costlier moves. After all, BB isn't an idiot, and he knows that Brady going down for any extended period of time= the end of the season, a giant media circus.

The big question I have with trading, is what position they'd trade for. As it stands, I believe that Vollmer's starting job is basically secure, so any additions at RT will be through the draft. I doubt that the Pats will trade for a C, given that Stork is expected to take over at some point, so cross that off. So basically, it comes down to trading for a LT, LG, or RG.

I've never been a fan of Solder, but this year he is down right horrible. It almost looks like he doesn't want to be on the team. Maybe he isn't happy being a Pat. Either that or he's just plain out scared. One thing for sure, his heart is not in it.

I've spent a good amount of my time watching the games this year grumbling about this *******. His effort is pathetic. Unless he is playing through injury like Logan Mankins, I see no other reason for him to play like this beyond lacking motivation.

I used to think highly of Solder. He was never a great player, but solid and stayed healthy. The past few years have really changed that perspective.

Difficult to assess a players motivation from afar, two factors that may be contributing this year is unfamiliarity with the LG and ability to work together as a team. There was some information about the O line lining up a step deeper and that change may be impacting his play...

Solder is a fairly laid back guy... so perhaps his motivation is confused with personality.

Solder is an ok LT, there are a lot better and a lot worse... Light was more than adequate..

1. You have a new line coach teaching new techniques. It takes time to learn them and adapt, and you revert to your old techniques, which are rusty.

2. You lost your wingman who has watched your flank for the past 2 years. Solder has always had a good and very experienced guard next to him - Brian Waters in 2011, Mankins in 2012 and 2013.

3. You play on a line with several young players and a lot of moving pieces.

4. Possibly, you play on a line with some issues in the center making the line sets and getting people into position.

All of those arguments have been advanced regarding Solder's poor play and possible "regression".

If you want to bench Solder, fine. Put Vollmer and LT and Cannon at RT. Then who are you going to put in the middle?

Work out the other problems and give Solder some time. The Pats thought highly enough of him that they picked up his 5th year option less than 5 months ago.

Vollmer hasn't set the woods on fire either.

3-0 Arizona draft Jonathan Cooper #7 overall in 2013 to help fix a porous OL that had been an issue for years. Cooper broke his leg and missed 2013, and wasn't able to win a starting job in training camp, losing out to journey Ted Larsen. At this point he could spend 2014 as a backup to Larsen and RG Paul Fanaika, neither of whom is exactly a household name:

With a 3-0 record, the Cardinals aren't going to tinker with the lineup, even if it means a top 10 pick spends most practices on the scout team, running the opponent's offense.

Asked this week why he doesn't believe in rotating offensive linemen in for a series or two, Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin was typically blunt.

"I don't believe in rotating, unless somebody goes down," said Goodwin, who coaches the offensive line. "Right now, I'm pleased with Ted. Right now, I'm pleased with the whole five.

"The longer they play together, the better they're going to be as a unit. We start rotating guys in and out, the communication gets screwed up and all of a sudden, bam! Something happens, bad. I'm not about that. If I've got five good guys, I'm going to stick with them.

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http://www.azcentral.com/story/spor...nathan-cooper-ride-bench-all-season/16214687/

The more pieces you move around, the harder it is to get cohesion and coherence on the OL. Moving or benching Solder isn't likely to improve things, just make them worse.

the guy playing next to him is not much better cannon should be at RT he is not a G with Solder at LG he can not stop good DE's and that's a problem cause all but a hand full of teams have at lest one on there team so put him at G and see if he is worth re-signing cause he should not be getting LT money.

Vollmer at LT. Solder at LG Stork at C. Connolly at RG and Cannon at RT that may sound a lil crazy to move the line around that much but Solder vs DE's with speed and Cannon playing out of position will get Brady killed

Yeah, lol @ benching Solder as if that's going to fix any problems.

Efstratios said:

This option is definitely on the table, and I fully expect it to happen at some point in the season. The past 2 years, BB made trades at the deadline once it became clear that the depth problems at certain positions weren't going to be fixed by the rosters in place (CB in 12', DT in 13'). Given how bad the O-line has been, I expect that the FO might be willing to resort to costlier moves. After all, BB isn't an idiot, and he knows that Brady going down for any extended period of time= the end of the season, a giant media circus.

The big question I have with trading, is what position they'd trade for. As it stands, I believe that Vollmer's starting job is basically secure, so any additions at RT will be through the draft. I doubt that the Pats will trade for a C, given that Stork is expected to take over at some point, so cross that off. So basically, it comes down to trading for a LT, LG, or RG.

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I think Stork to C needs to happen this week. He's looked great, though this would be a big test for sure. I think if they're going to toss him into the starting line-up any time in the next two weeks, I would rather it be this week instead of against the Bengals. After that, he should help to stabilize (not solidify) the interior just a bit and allow the Pats to slide protection over to Solder's side more often, if needed. By the way, thanks to @Sciz for correcting me in another thread. They didn't slide protection to his side as much as I originally thought last week, though I've only watched that game in real time so you will have to forgive me for my error there.

Anyway, if they're going to look for a trade this season, it's going to be at guard. Before they do that, I would like to see them try Fleming at LG and either move Cannon over to RG or kick him outside to RT while moving Vollmer (who is also struggling, but his may be injury-related) over to RG. The team needs to see if they have the solution to the OL's woes already on the squad before they give up a draft pick to solidify the line.

KontradictioN said:

Anyway, if they're going to look for a trade this season, it's going to be at guard. Before they do that, I would like to see them try Fleming at LG and either move Cannon over to RG or kick him outside to RT while moving Vollmer (who is also struggling, but his may be injury-related) over to RG. The team needs to see if they have the solution to the OL's woes already on the squad before they give up a draft pick to solidify the line.

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If a trade, guard it is. BB traded for NT Ted Washington in 2003 to fix a pathetic run D. This season's weakness appears (even thru training camp) to be the OL. Were we to trade a 4th for a decent guard I'd be fine with that.

I just hope the problem is not even more fundamental with this OL as last year was not a good one for the OL even with Mankins.

PatsWickedPissah said:

If a trade, guard it is. BB traded for NT Ted Washington in 2003 to fix a pathetic run D. This season's weakness appears (even thru training camp) to be the OL. Were we to trade a 4th for a decent guard I'd be fine with that.

I just hope the problem is not even more fundamental with this OL as last year was not a good one for the OL even with Mankins.

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I think Scar was being kind in his comments earlier this week. If it was just an issue of fundamentals and cohesion, the Patriots would not still be experimenting with the starting unit to find the best group. It's a talent issue. That's why I'm all for giving the younger guys a chance and moving Cannon back over to the right side, either back at tackle or at guard. For the love of God, I hope they keep Wendell and Devey out off the field.

KontradictioN said:

I think Stork to C needs to happen this week. He's looked great, though this would be a big test for sure. I think if they're going to toss him into the starting line-up any time in the next two weeks, I would rather it be this week instead of against the Bengals. After that, he should help to stabilize (not solidify) the interior just a bit and allow the Pats to slide protection over to Solder's side more often, if needed.

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I think this would be the worst possible time to put Wendell in at center. Dontari Poe would eat him alive. We wouldn't have to worry about Solder and Vollmer outside - Brady would be on his back too fast due to pressure up the middle.

This have been mentioned and though he hasn't set the world on fire I wouldn't mind seeing S. Voller at LT and Flemming and Cannon at RT and G respectively. Solder's technique has become a joke instead of handling the DE in Solders case its vice/versa the DE is handling him. I think he is a lost cause because he was doing it last year as mentioned Mankins covered alot of Solders deficiencies I agree with the OP Solder should be benched if not Brady will be carted off soon enough. Solders shouldn't be protecting any QB's blind side.

LT LG C RG RT
Vollmer - Connolly - Stork - Flemming - Cannon.

At least to me its seems like Solder is coming off of an injury, although we will likely never hear that officially. I remember that he missed some of the early spring practices and I would be surprised if he did not have something done over the offseason. These things can take time to come back from.
To a lesser extent, I think Solder relied on Mankins as a mentor and there will be some adjustment there.

Scar says to be patient - I think that applies to Solder more than any other player on that line.