Hours Before Kickoff: Week 4

Matt Light knows he’s there. You can’t miss the shadow of a 6-8 319 pound man-child standing behind you.

Light is the Patriots’ starting left tackle. For now. He’s expected to hold on to that position through the rest of the season. If Light is lucky, he keeps the job through next season as well. But Light knows his days are numbered.

Rookie Nate Solder was selected in the first round out of Colorado to be Light’s successor. It was thought that Solder would be brought along slowly. But three games into the season he’s started two games at right tackle and was used generously as a tackle eligible against San Diego.

Solder is not having an apprenticeship season. He has been thrown into the fire from day one and has performed well. If anything, playing now accelerates his development.

Should this concern Light? He knows New England wants Solder to anchor the offensive line in the future. But if Solder improves as the season progresses, will he take Light’s job before the season is over?

For much of the preseason Solder played left tackle. Later on the coaches tried him out at right tackle as well. The experience from the preseason is serving Solder well as he started for right tackle Sebastian Vollmer twice this season.

But Solder’s future is at left tackle. With a short training camp, the coaches didn’t spend the time they wanted working on his technique. And while Solder has a great frame and a tremendous wingspan ideal for a left tackle, Solder is light by NFL standards.

Evaluations say with a year in the weight room, Solder will gain the strength needed to become the anchor of the offensive line. Combine that with a year to work on his technique and perfecting his footwork with offensive line coach Dante Scarneccia and Solder can be a blindside protector for 10 years.

The question is when that clock starts. Light re-signed with the Patriots shortly after the lockout ended, but it’s only a two-year deal that front-loaded. $6 million of the total $12 million contract is a signing bonus. It makes it easy for New England to cut Light next year and not be burdened with a hefty dead money hit on the salary cap.

Saving money isn’t the only motivation. The first priority is protecting quarterback Tom Brady. The coaches have peace of mind with the experienced Light holding down the left tackle position. This is Light’s eleventh season and he has seen just about everything. He is better prepared for the complicated schemes and blitzes defenses throw at him.

Give Solder credit so far. He’s allowed just one sack in two starts. Playing on the right side does protect Solder, though. He doesn’t combat the elite pass rushers that could overwhelm the rookie.

What Solder already does well is run block. Through the preseason he was better going after defenders than protecting the passer. The coaches will remember that, especially after what they saw in the loss to Buffalo.

Three times from the Buffalo one yard line New England ran to the left and couldn’t gain a single yard. It’s very concerning if the Patriots can’t gain one yard on the ground when the offense needs it.

Those failures aren’t solely Light’s fault. Logan Mankins was voted a First Team All-Pro last year. With these two veterans leading the charge, there’s no excuse for the blockers being blown off the line by the Bills defense on all three attempts.

More than anything else, Light is aging and has lost a step. According to Sports Illustrated, Light allowed 10 of New England’s 25 sacks last year.

Light won’t look over his shoulder. Only bad things are behind offensive linemen, whether it’s a sack allowed or to see how close his replacement is. Solder might be closer than anyone thinks.

A few things I’m looking for:

Turn the Tables: See how Oakland likes being run over. The best way to prevent big offensive plays by Oakland is don’t give the offense much time with the ball.

Finesse to Death: Who cares what Oakland’s Rolando McClain thinks. Do what you do well. Toy with that defense until they’re completely discombobulated.

Discipline: The Raiders haven’t changed over the years with 50 total penalties after three games, 16 of them gave the opponent first downs. Capitalize on those second and third chances.

This will be ugly. The Raiders are big, fast, and aggressive. That doesn’t compensate for a lack of intelligence. The Patriots will be licking their wounds, but the win takes the edge off.