LaAdrian Waddle vs Cameron Fleming

[PatsFan2]

They may need to spend another higher round pick at OT, whether Garcia is healthy or not. That seems reasonable to me, considering that Solder was the last first rounder in 2011, and it would be 7 yrs apart. Of course, if Solder stays and irons out his recent issues, a higher round pick may be kicked down the road another year or two.

sup: Love what Solder have done for us over the years and hope he beats his recent bout with Cancer. But as for resigning him...no thanks. Would rather a Rookie or Garcia going forward.

 

[luuked]

sup: Love what Solder have done for us over the years and hope he beats his recent bout with Cancer. But as for resigning him...no thanks. Would rather a Rookie or Garcia going forward.

I think you underestimate what a bad LT looks like and how it can wreck an entire offense. Solder -- if can be retained for a reasonable amount -- is a perfectly solid LT.

I base that prediction on where Garcia was drafted and his touted potential coming into the league -- in combination with Solder's struggles and expiring contract.

Where someone got drafted is meaningless. We have a bunch of first round "sure thing" tackles in the league that got traded and cut. The only thing that matters is if he can deal with NFL level rushers in a consistent way. Also a year before the draft McDermott was touted as a late first round talent. Evaluations out of college are also meaningless the moment the draft is over and your rookies start to get their feet wet on the practice field.

The issue is that with Garcia on the IR they wont be able to have another look at how he responds to NFL level play until after next FA. Which means they will either extend Solder (if financially reasonable) or get a different veteran in just in case Garcia doesnt work out.

Call 2017 a Redshirt year for Garcia but you have to think if he's healthy he will get every opportunity to prove himself next year. Injuries derailed this Draft Class especially our early selections. Good thing we weren't depending on them.

I agree with that but you cant just go into FA assuming Garcia will work out and be a starter after a redshirt year. That is insanely dangerous.

 

[stinkypete]

Waddle was a solid RT in Detroit before his knee injury. He held his own in pass protection last week considering the horses on the Houston D, and I feel more comfortable with him starting in a pinch than with Fleming.

 

[RayClay]

So we're paying Waddle $1.1m this year and he's a FA next year. And we signed Fleming for a 1 yr $1.8m contract this year. They are both FA next year.

Are either of these guys a priority? Anyone do a film breakdown of Waddle in game 3? He played 72 snaps. We've seen what garbage Fleming can be. Do we keep either of them. Solder's situation (and frankly his play) remains in flux as well. We already lost Conor McDermott on cuts.

Anyone have an opinion on these two guys, and how Waddle jumped ahead of Fleming and whether Waddle can improve further?

Have you found a font of possible left tackles somewhere?

 

[RayClay]

I base that prediction on where Garcia was drafted and his touted potential coming into the league -- in combination with Solder's struggles and expiring contract.

He is a total unknown project right now. He's never been at the weight/strength he needs to be and he's never played.

 

[DarrylS]

Decent O linemen are at a premium currently in the NFL, is it better to deal with players you know rather than trying to mold another guy??

Solder is not underpaid, so he might be an option as well.. he makes about 10 million per, the highest paid LT Trent Williams makes 13.6 per.. so the range is not unreasonable, but a lot depends on how he plays the rest of the year..

 

[patriot1136]

Can Cole Croston play LT? Man, I really hope Garcia is the real deal.

 

[GoBlue]

I was dissappointed when Detroit let Waddle go after the knee injuy. He played really well his rookie year for a team that had a poor offensive line. He did not play well after returning, but thoughs were he wasn't ready yet. He has to be healed by now and if he doesn't play like a vet pretty soon then i'd guess he's had a change of attitude and is only interested in the money.