Patriots left tackle Matt Light is expected to retire this offseason, but New England prepared for his exit last spring. They drafted Nate Solder out of Colorado with the 17th pick in the 2011 draft, and Solder expects to step in on Tom Brady’s blind side once Light makes his retirement official.
“Well I feel like that is the reason I was brought here,” Solder told the Boston Globe, “to eventually be the starter, and that’s great. I’m excited about that.”
Solder started 13-of-16 regular season games as a rookie, holding up well while seeing action at both tackle positions and tight end in some jumbo packages.
“My sole drive was not to be a disappointment,” Solder added. “So I hope I wasn’t a disappointment. But it continues on, you know. I have to get better next year, too.”
Solder mentioned his technique when asked to name something he’s working to improve entering his second NFL season. Per Shalise Manza Young of the Globe, Solder has taken one week of vacation since the Patriots’ Super Bowl loss. Otherwise, he’s been at Gillette Stadium honing his talent.