With long-time Patriots left tackle Matt Light -- a member of the franchise’s 50th Anniversary team -- out with a knee injury and rookie Sebastian Vollmer doing a nice job in Light’s absence, coach Bill Belichick did not dismiss on Monday the possibility that Light won’t be automatically reinserted into the lineup once he’s healthy.
“We’ll deal with the situation when he comes back,” Belichick told Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald after a press conference. “I don’t know when that’s going to be. In all honestly, too many good players, not a problem. Not enough, that’s the problem. Both guys have showed they can play that position very competitively, and we’ll deal with it when it’s an option. The last couple weeks, it’s hasn’t been option.”
Rapoport compares the situation to the final days of the Drew Bledsoe era. After Bledsoe suffered internal injuries on a wicked sideline hit during the 2001 regular season, Tom Brady took over. Belichick faced a tough decision once Bledsoe became healthy during the playoffs -- but history tells us that Belichick nailed it by sticking with Brady for Super Bowl XXXVI and beyond.
Though Light doesn’t have the same name recognition, the position of left tackle is nearly as important. The Pats hold Light’s rights through the 2010 season, at a base salary of $4.25 million this year and $4.5 million next season.
Vollmer, a second-round pick in 2009, is under contract through 2012, with league-minimum base salaries following the slotted guaranteed money he received.