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- Jul 11, 2005
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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 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.
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