Solder @ TE?

[Holy Diver]

From Belichick's press conf today:

“Nate’s done a good job for us this year,” Belichick said. “He’s come in and gotten a lot of reps on both sides, left and right tackle, but most of his playing has come at right tackle. He’s versatile. He’s also played some tight end for us. He’s gotten a lot of playing time and he’s handled all the things we’ve thrown at him very well. … He’s smart, very athletic and he’s been very consistent.”

Hmmmmm......

We've seen him in motion, blocking and what not...but is this the week that they bring out the ex-tight end/ex colorado buffalo to catch a few passes? Maybe a playaction on 2nd down at the goalline?

6'8" 319

 

[ALP]

they would have to declare him as a receiver or something like that, but considering our other options at TE i really dont see it happening, he will stay in as a blocker, which is something he is used to



lets not have another Crumpler drop in the EZ plz

 

[Blues]

This is one of the wrinkles I've been thinking could pop up at some point in the playoffs. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think he's automatically eligible (without declaring) if he's lining up in a TE position.

Other wrinkles that keep rolling around in my head on the fringes of an offensive gameplan:

Julian Edelmen throwing a pass. We've seen a few end-arounds to the right side go to him, and he's been involved in a couple of reverses where he broke to the right of the formation. He's yet to throw the ball, and Denver's safeties are young - if they step up, I wouldn't be shocked to see Branch or Ocho running a go.

Stevan Ridley taking a direct snap. It's a trust thing - it used to be Faulk, and later Woodhead, and then Sammy Morris in last year's playoff game. Green-Ellis took his first direct snap on a crucial 3rd down in the first Jets game this year (coming out of a timeout, no less.) Ridley graduated to playing some passing downs as this year went on, and I'm wondering if they take a chance in a 3rd and 3 or 4 situation, where his speed and cutting ability is a factor in making the play work. Especially in a spot where they consider it 4-down territory.

Oh God, the Flea Flicker. If the running game and the O-line can slow Denver's pass rush, the trick play can confuse it. Again, Denver's safeties could be susceptible (especially seeing how few trick plays the Pats have run this season) and if executed properly, the play could result in 7. Admittedly, though, this is one of those high-risk plays that none of us really want to see in a pivotal spot. Ahead by 6 in the 2nd quarter at midfield, though.. it becomes a potential weapon that could really put the Denver defense on its heels.

 

[The-Hooded-One]

Are you under the impression this is something new? He's lined up as a blocking TE a lot this year.

 

[Holy Diver]

Are you under the impression this is something new? He's lined up as a blocking TE a lot this year.

No.. BB even stated this as such.

I was speculating that he catches a pass. He's got an inch and 40 lbs on Gronk, and sending them both into patterns in tight space could be like Brady being able to target the jolly green giant and Apache Chief.

http://images.wikia.com/familyguy/images/a/aa/Apache_Chief.jpg

 

[Metaphors]

This is one of the wrinkles I've been thinking could pop up at some point in the playoffs. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think he's automatically eligible (without declaring) if he's lining up in a TE position.

Based on his lineman number, he has to declare himself eligible unless he is one of the 5 OL in the formation. You are correct that the rules are such that the 2 guys at the ends of the 7 guys required to be on the LOS are by definition eligible. However, declaring guys with OL numbers gives the defense a fair chance to deal with all the shifts/motion that an offense could use to hide pre-snap who is eligible and who isn't.

I wonder if the reverse if true. If the Pats wanted to play Gronk at OT for some reason, would he have to declare himself ineligible? It never happens but I'm thinking that he would have to.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Only TheSolderKing knows and he vanished Friday after Thanksgiving

 

[WhiZa]

But then that would take a TD away from Gronk. That make Gronk mad

 

[SirApropos]

In order for Solder to be the 3rd TE after playing RT he has to take a play off and they have had Cannon come in at RT. The next play Solder comes in as the 3rd TE and is then eligible as a pass catcher. He's run 1-2 routes but mostly blocks. They've done this the last several weeks with Cannon getting about 6-10 snaps at RT that way.

If Vollmer is healthy and playing RT then Solder just comes in as the 3rd TE.

 

[Holy Diver]

But then that would take a TD away from Gronk. That make Gronk mad

Gronk SMASH!

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lunolidtBn1qclcbeo1_500.jpg

 

[NEP4Life]

Go Solder go! Go pats go!

 

[fester]

they would have to declare him as a receiver or something like that, but considering our other options at TE i really dont see it happening, he will stay in as a blocker, which is something he is used to



lets not have another Crumpler drop in the EZ plz

They already do declare him as an eligibile receiver. Every play that he is in as a TE, he has to tell a ref that he, an ineligble number wearer, is now eligible.

 

[MP-Logick]

I'm pretty certain he has ran multiple pass routes this year...

 

[shmessy]

Go Solder go! Go pats go!

Insightful and fascinating post.

 

[The_Riddler]

Let's keep Solder where he is at RT. We don't need to waste a WR/TE spot to chip on Dumervil when Solder can take care of him by himself at RT.

 

[BaltimorePatsFan]

I know he was hurt but Vollmer was painful to watch this season. Solder should be the starting RT and Vollmer should occasionally come in as the blocking TE and the swing tackle.