Addressing the LT Position

[catent]

At the risk of being labeled a bit reactionary, Solder's play has been bad -- I think that much is indisputable. I might go a step further and say that not only is his play bad, but it's concerning. What I mean by this is that there appears to be something wrong, either mentally or physically. He looks a bit 'off', for lack of a better term. I certainly hope that his play will improve and he'll come into his own as the season progresses but I'm not terribly optimistic this will happen.

Let's assume that Solder continues to struggle and does not round into form. How would we address this situation? Obviously a trade is an option but are there options internally? Waddle is a natural RT if I remember correctly, but given his strong play when filling in for Cannon would others be open to the idea of trying Waddle at LT?

 

[supafly]

I don't remember which week, but there was a report circulating that Solder was receiving treatment prior to the game. Maybe he's dealing with an injury.

If Solder couldn't go, it would almost certainly be Waddle at LT. As a matter of fact, I think we've seen them put him there before at least a couple of times.

The longer term outlook screams high round draft pick, and while looking back in hindsight is rarely a fruitful exercise in terms of the missed draft picks, it does kind of suck that we've lost out on guys like Easley, Cyrus Jones, the stolen first rounder etc, lately. A first round/pick LT would've been nice to have these days.

 

[Kdo5]

I don't remember which week, but there was a report circulating that Solder was receiving treatment prior to the game. Maybe he's dealing with an injury.

If Solder couldn't go, it would almost certainly be Waddle at LT. As a matter of fact, I think we've seen them put him there before at least a couple of times.

The longer term outlook screams high round draft pick, and while looking back in hindsight is rarely a fruitful exercise in terms of the missed draft picks, it does kind of suck that we've lost out on guys like Easley, Cyrus Jones, the stolen first rounder etc, lately. A first round/pick LT would've been nice to have these days.

Agreed. LT is a high priority and should be a top need for the '18 draft. I buy the likelihood that he is playing hurt and it's really impacting him. But I've never been much of a Solder guy. I think he has been a decent player for us but we should upgrade.

I am hoping he recovers from whatever is ailing him because we can't sustain his poor play much longer. Not just for offensive efficiency but for Brady's health as well. It's one of the more significant issues we have right now.

 

[catent]

With regard to drafting a LT, I still think Garcia is going to be really good here. I tend to think that had he not been injured he would've been able to gain some traction and possibly be starting at LT right now. He's big, physical, yet still athletic and quick. He has the makings of being a really good LT. He's on IR, I believe, however I don't know if he's going to return to the active roster this season or if his injury is a season ender. Perhaps it's been mentioned and I missed it.

 

[supafly]

Agreed. LT is a high priority and should be a top need for the '18 draft. I buy the likelihood that he is playing hurt and it's really impacting him. But I've never been much of a Solder guy. I think he has been a decent player for us but we should upgrade.

I am hoping he recovers from whatever is ailing him because we can't sustain his poor play much longer. Not just for offensive efficiency but for Brady's health as well. It's one of the more significant issues we have right now.

Yep, Solder has played well at times, even very well at times, and there's really no one who would be an upgrade right now, but I think he can be improved upon. I think a high draft pick is in order.

As far as his struggles go this year, I believe he's 2nd on the team in sacks allowed with 4. IIRC, Marcus Cannon has given up 4.5. Shaq Mason is third with 3 credited sacks, and I think they had Andrews credited with 2.5. There were also 2 coverage sacks that weren't blamed on anyone, and while Thuney has given up pressures and hits, he wasn't credited with any given sacks.

This is according to the Herald, Howe, and their weekly breakdowns, so I don't know if the numbers add up or not, but when you include the 2 coverage sacks it comes out to 16 sacks so far this year.

 

[supafly]

With regard to drafting a LT, I still think Garcia is going to be really good here. I tend to think that had he not been injured he would've been able to gain some traction and possibly be starting at LT right now. He's big, physical, yet still athletic and quick. He has the makings of being a really good LT. He's on IR, I believe, however I don't know if he's going to return to the active roster this season or if his injury is a season ender. Perhaps it's been mentioned and I missed it.

Is there any reason to feel terribly optimistic about Tony Garcia at this point in time, though? By all accounts, he needed to bulk up and was often getting manhandled in the drills. To take it one step further, not many players have benefited from a red-shirt season in terms of being injured and then contributing.

Hopefully, Garcia can be that exception and become a regular contributor. It's difficult to imagine him returning this season, with Mitchell, McClellin, and Valentine all having the option to come back and only two making it.

 

[archstanton543]

They'll draft Solder's replacement next year. His play is what is it is this year.

 

[DarrylS]

Starting Left Tackles are about as scarce as really good QB's in the NFL.. not sure where another one will be found, if you take a look at the NFL free agents who play tackle in 2018, not a lot of recognizable LT's on the list..

Dante Scarnecchia is a great coach, but not sure he is a miracle worker.. perhaps Garcia is the answer.

2018 NFL Free Agents List | NFLTradeRumors.co

 

[patriot1136]

what happened to Conor McDermott?
Can Cole Croston play LT?

 

[Nonentity]

what happened to Conor McDermott?
Can Cole Croston play LT?

Conor McDermott got picked up on waivers by the Bills, and he's still on their 53 man roster.

Cole Croston played tackle in college but you wouldn't want him starting right now...apparently we were using him at both tackle and guard in training camp...

 

[Brick27]

what happened to Conor McDermott?
Can Cole Croston play LT?

McDermott was claimed off waivers by the Bills. Croston played both tackle positions while at Iowa, but seems to still be an unknown at this point.

 

[maineman209]

A couple thoughts:

Solder also missed practice last Tuesday for "non-injury" reasons. He's mentioned once that he was "getting treatment", but it's difficult to think that's for a football related injury since he hasn't been listed on the injury report during the regular season. Just speculating, but such "treatments" could be related to his previous cancer issues.

That said, I agree that his play has been sub-par. However, I think that the sack and hit stats are due at least partly to the quality of the DLs the Pats have faced so far, and partly related to TB holding the ball a bit longer than he has in the past (which TB acknowledged this week).

WRT attempting to draft an LT "high" in 2018 to replace Solder ... using a 1st-rounder on an LT prospect seems to have become much more of a hit-or-miss proposition over the past few drafts. Even beyond the notable "busts" (Greg Robinson), a few more have required 2+ seasons to become even NFL solid players.

 

[50-yard-line]

The problem with trying to draft a Left Tackle is that the blue chip prospects - the guys with the physical traits and resumes which make them seem like they have a good chance to make it - are all gone by the middle of the first round.

Once you get below that, you can find guys in the fourth round comparable to those drafted at the end of the first.

There's a real imbalance on the lines in the NFL, IMO, with most of the talent on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[captain stone]

...Waddle is a natural RT if I remember correctly, but given his strong play when filling in for Cannon would others be open to the idea of trying Waddle at LT?

Solder has indeed sucked so far this season (LOL at those willing to give him top-5 LT money when he's not even top-15-calibre), but Adrian the Waddle at LT would be even worse. I'd rather have Fleming at LT, though I would prefer trying to strike a reasonable deal with Cleveland for Joe Thomas, as impossible as that very likely is.

 

[captain stone]

... I still think Garcia is going to be really good here...He's big, physical, yet still athletic and quick...

Garcia might be tall, but he certainly isn't big, not even close.

 

[Biffins]

Stop this nonsense. Solder is Pro-Bowl caliber............ even though he hasn't gotten any Pro-Bowl nods. And he's a rock............ even though he was horrible in the SuperBowl. And he's being paid $10m ............ but I guess that's sunk cost now. And he's going through a lot with his kid................ so that basically obliges us to hold on to him no matter what. And he's hurt but I'd rather have an injured Solder be on the field than..................... ok nevermind, you got me. What are our options? Trade?

 

[captain stone]

Bill would have more options at LT if he had:

- drafted Joel Bitonio (college LT at Nevada) instead of Dom Easily in 2014;

- drafted Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (college LT at McGill) instead of Jonny Halapio in 2014;

- drafted La'el Collins instead of Tray Jackson in 2015;

- and insisted that one of the trades he made with the Indy Clots include LeRaven Clark. Who knows, maybe Dante could've cleaned the stink from that rancid organization off of him.

 

[mgteich]

They'll draft Solder's replacement next year. His play is what is it is this year.

YOu've given up on Garcia?

 

[mgteich]

2017
Solder may be playing sub-par. It doesn't follow that we have a better choice, unless Solder is injured.

2018
We will have Garcia, Colseton, and another draftee.

 

[IcyPatriot]

My intuition is Solder is toughing it out with a chronic injury...I hope I am wrong.