(04-20-2018, 09:43 AM)B2hibry Wrote: The Pats will be an interesting storyline this year. They have always been a team to no pay for well known players but this year has an interesting dynamic and unusually large purge of talent. Remains to be seen if the pats even move the needle this year.

To me, one of the underrated factors in the Patriots success is that they have had solid to superlative LT play.

Brady had Matt Light ( a college G) move out to LT and he played the position from 2001 (the Patriots' first SB win under Brady) to 2011.  He made three Pro Bowls and was All Pro once.

Then they drafted Nate Solder in 2011, and he has been the LT since.  Although he has not been named to any Pro Bowls or All Pro teams, I think most would agree he is a good LT.

There have been very very few times since 2000 where the Pats had a turnstile at LT.

Now, Solder is gone, and there appears to be no viable replacement on the roster for him.  Next week's draft is key.  If they trade up for Rosen, will they have the ammo remaining to get a LT?  If they don't deal up, will they be able to and a good LT?

If they do land a good LT, how long will it take for him to develop?  He won't have much time.  Whoever he is, he'll start his career against Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus in week 1, and Ngakoue, Fowler, and Campbell here in Jacksonville in week 2.

If they take a LT and he is slow to develop or they flat out miss, they are in trouble.

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