Solder the 'Right' Tackle of the future?

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Solder was drafted to be Matt Light's replacement at left tackle which we thought was were Solder was best.

However because of injury to Vollmer,Solder was put into the Right Tackle position where he actually has outperformed Light at the opposite Tackle spot.

Light on the left side has been on 269 Pass Protection plays and has 11 Pressures,3 Hits and 3 Sacks allowed in 6 games.

On the right side Solder has been in 235 Pass Protection plays and has pro bowl type numbers so far....only 1 Sack,2 Hits and 9 Pressures allowed in 6 games.

Question is when Vollmer is healthy again does he really get his job back immediately or as a quality Backup to a young rookie star or Veteran at left?

Another Question is when Light retires in a few years is Vollmer ending up on the left?

Things can change and Solder may end up struggling later as the season gets long, but there is no reason at this point to change the line as it is now.

I would hope if all remain healthy,that we see the O line remain as steady as it is now...usually a steady cohesive OL is a championship one because all guys know what the other is doing after playing together for months on end.

 

[Aßßynormal]

I love having this problem.

 

[Sciz]

Assuming health, Vollmer and Solder are the tackles of the future, and Solder is a better fit on the left side due to his superior athleticism and inferior strength.

Short term, I think Solder's emergence gives Vollmer a chance to get extra healthy. I, for one, wouldn't mind Solder starting the rest of the regular season before whipping out the "Gronkowski-Light-Mankins-Connolly-Waters-Vollmer-Solder-Gronkowski" formation in the playoffs.

 

[farn]

That is for another day. 'Right' now I just want to see Vollmer get healthy and start contributing. I don't want his health problems to linger much longer, and I'm starting to get concerned.

 

[LetsGoPats36]

One of Solder and Vollmer has to be groomed to take over for Light. I don't particularly care which one makes the switch, but Solder makes more sense to me. When Vollmer comes back healthy, use Solder in a light rotation during games and get him reps at both positions in practice. Then let him fight it out with Light next year in TC. Vollmer has had two seasons of work at RT and been reliable. It would be better to not fix what isn't broken, imo.

 

[Patriot Missile]

To Solders credit his stat sheet is nice and his skills will eventually surpass Light. But at this point comparing a LT to a RT in pass protection doesn't make sense. Light is protecting the blind side against better pass rushers. Typically most teams emphasize pressure from the RDE which is normally their best pass rusher lining up near the LT. Giving up 2 more sacks, 1 hit and 2 more pressures in 34 more attempts says your left tackle is doing his job.

Not taking away from Solder because he is a sensational rookie and I feel he is a better run blocker right now than Light has been in years. He's still got a lot to learn in the pass protection department though and would feel better about having Vollmer at LT at this point.I think back to when he took on Dwight Freeney filling in at the LT position and basically neutralized him. Subject to change in a years time but it really is good problem to have.
Yes they are the tandem of the future if they can afford to keep Vollmer that is.

 

[jmt57]

Assuming health, Vollmer and Solder are the tackles of the future, and Solder is a better fit on the left side due to his superior athleticism and inferior strength.

Short term, I think Solder's emergence gives Vollmer a chance to get extra healthy.

Yeah, I like this idea. Especially on an offensive line, continuity and familiarity with the guy next to you is extremely important. Why move two people around when you don't have to?

As for this season, when Vollmer returns that's not only a boost at the RT position, but it's also an even bigger improvement at the 6th OL (i.e., Solder rather than Welch or whomever).

 

[NSPF]

I want to see Vollmer and Solder out there together on some goal line plays, with one of them as a third tight end. That would be power!

 

[satz]

I am surprised when i see comments like he will surpass light. Light came in and started as your SB winning tackle from day 1.

anyway last 3 yrs we lost light in 1, vollmer in another and this year vollmer is dingedup . I am not sure if we go 2 tackles it will be a good idea. we need 3 starting tackles in this league if you plan to go deep into playoff everyyear.

light is playing good so why change , he is a 1 yr contract and i would keep him for 1 more to see what happens with vollmer`s back and solder strength issues.
if either does not get resolved another tackle is needed.

satz

 

[The Gr8est]

There is another OT possibility who hasn't been mentioned yet; Marcus Cannon.

He was a LT in college and the Pats may not be in a hurry to push Mankins or Waters out of the line up.

Cannon will be very valuable being able to play both G and T.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

Assuming health, Vollmer and Solder are the tackles of the future, and Solder is a better fit on the left side due to his superior athleticism and inferior strength.

Short term, I think Solder's emergence gives Vollmer a chance to get extra healthy. I, for one, wouldn't mind Solder starting the rest of the regular season before whipping out the "Gronkowski-Light-Mankins-Connolly-Waters-Vollmer-Solder-Gronkowski" formation in the playoffs.

"Inferior strength"

 

[Pujo]

Worst. Pun. Ever.

 

[andrewgarrr]

Outperformed Light?

I think every holding call the offensive line has had was on Solder.

 

[ausbacker]

You can never have enough quality linemen.

 

[satz]

There is another OT possibility who hasn't been mentioned yet; Marcus Cannon.

He was a LT in college and the Pats may not be in a hurry to push Mankins or Waters out of the line up.

Cannon will be very valuable being able to play both G and T.

Cannon is a too big for a tackle.a NFL level tackle has to be more atheletic and cannon due to his size will make a better gaurd/center . Due to his size he will be liabity when you match with a smalled OLB or DE.

 

[sbpatfan]

None of this matters because we could of have Seymour for one more year on a crappy 2009 team! Wahhhh!

 

[shmessy]

Outperformed Light?

I think every holding call the offensive line has had was on Solder.

Whose ear did you pull that "factoid" out of?

I just checked and lo and behold, just in game 1, Light had an offensive holding penalty.

I don't care to check the other 5 games (time constraints), but please do the board a public service and don't make junk up.

 

[RJB87]

Matt Light is having a pro-bowl caliber season going against some really quality pass rushers. It's insane to see him playing so well this late in his career. That being said, Solder replaces Light after this year but it will be a healthy rotation to keep Light fresh as the year goes on. We don't want to play Solder too much at RT, some guys have a hard time making the mental switch back. Matt Light is a prime example of one of those guys.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Matt Light is having a pro-bowl caliber season going against some really quality pass rushers. It's insane to see him playing so well this late in his career. That being said, Solder replaces Light after this year but it will be a healthy rotation to keep Light fresh as the year goes on. We don't want to play Solder too much at RT, some guys have a hard time making the mental switch back. Matt Light is a prime example of one of those guys.

From the Welker holding thread, the total penalties are:

Rob Gronkowski -- 4
Nate Solder -- 4
Matt Light -- 2
Logan Mankins -- 2
Brian Waters -- 2
Dan Connolly -- 1
Dan Gronkowski -- 1
Aaron Hernandez -- 1

 

[RJB87]

2 holds by Light in 237 passing attempts is fine by me. That's Walter Jones territory.

edit: Maybe Walter Jones comparison is going a bit far as he had like 9 holds in his entire career. But you get the point.