Re: Light recieved a fair offer which he refused
Just my opinion of course, but I am not so sure that Solder plays from day one, even at RT. I think that he will have to be blended in just like any other rookie, due to the labor situation.
Belichick is not afraid to make any move that is best for the team, and I somehow doubt that he sees putting a totally green and raw rookie in on the line to protect Brady from day one as 'what's best for the team.'
Light's gone in my opinion. It will now depend on Kaczur and his situation/and even possibly Mark LeVoir--who has shown that he can fill in without too much downfall.
I agree that Vollmer would be the one to take over LT, and that BB would simply plug in either of Kaczur or LeVoir at RT. But I don't see Nate Solder starting anywhere on the line from day one, and that is just fine. He is a long term investment, and part of the future on the line, but that does not mean that Bill is 'forced' to have to start him as raw as he is, especially considering this yr's offseason circumstances.
I still don't understand why you continue to make the premise that there is no way that Solder can start at the start of this season. There is just too much evidence that that is not going to be the case.
1. The personnel executive who stated he was the most pro ready OT in the draft, which is CLEARLY what BB thought when he picked him over guys like Costanzo and Cabrini.
2. I chuckle at the constant references about his lack of strength. He is now into his 5th month of dedicated strength training since his so called poor performance at the combine (which was, btw, remarkably similar to the strength numbers put up by Mankins and Light) He certainly isn't where he will end up, but he is MUCH stronger than when he was in Feb
3. As to being ready, Solder is going from being coached by a bad program in Colorado, to one of the top OL coaches in the the NFL. Dante has gotten players like a rookie Matt Light and a jag GRR to be superbowl starting OTs, getting guys like LeVoir and Kazcur ready to start at LT in the NFL, and transforming Volmer from a "drastic reach" to an OT that is about a year away from pro bowl status.
Solder could be the most physically gifted OLman Dante has ever coached. He seems to have a great attitude, and WANTS to be good. Why is it that so many fans think that some how Dante will NOT be able to get this kid ready to play early on????!!!! Is this the year, Dante suddenly forgets how to coach?
4. The whole "lockout will keep rookies from being impact players" dirge is a red herring. Think about it. Aside from being in a team organized off season weight program, what have they missed thus far. 5 or 6 OTA practices? Believe me they ALL have the play book. They all have heard the terminology at the BC practices. They ALL have had the ability to work this off season with personal strength coaches
5. The more I think on it the more it seems Light is a goner. There are simply too many teams out there who could use a guy like Light and have the money to overpay and still have it make sense. The Atlanta situation is a perfect example. KC has money to burn...and will have to make the increased salary FLOOR that is coming. Plus as to moving his family, a lot of guys "commute" and have their families not in the city they play in. And as to him losing off season and after football opportunities in NE, Light can easily spend the next 2 or 3 years elsewhere and come back to NE and still be a lifetime Patriot just like Law, Vrabel, etc.
Sure it hasn't been ideal, but to think that missing 5 or 6 OTAs means rookies won't be able to contribute is ridiculous. Just ask Jermaine Cunningham who missed over THREE WEEKS of actual TC and still managed to contribute from the first week.
Granted after this "compelling" defense of Solder as a starter, he might very well not be our opening day starter at LT. It could happen. I just don't think so. JMHO.