Matt Light. Should we or should we not

[Tribal Chief]

If Light goes out, bright talent steps in

The National Football League’s labor strife is expected to end this week, with an eye on training camps starting around the end of the month.

In fact, the players’ antitrust lawsuit against the owners is one of the last hurdles to clear to end the lockout, the Washington Post reported yesterday.

Since offseason workouts and minicamps were wiped out, rookies will be well behind previous draft classes. Therefore, most teams have adjusted their expectations, especially for positions such as quarterback and wide receiver, which require the most adjustment to the pro level.

For the most part, the Patriots don’t need much help from their nine-man group. The roster is full of young, ascending players.

But the Patriots could be counting on first-round pick Nate Solder to start immediately at left tackle.

Matt Light, an unrestricted free agent who has been Tom Brady’s blindside protector for 10 years, may not be back. His future will likely be addressed as soon as teams can make transactions.

According to a source close to the negotiations, the Patriots made what they deemed to be a fair offer to Light before the lockout started. It was rejected. The Patriots may not be willing to budge much off that number, and the team certainly won’t be looking to set the market for the 33-year-old.

Light will certainly have plenty of options. Both the Falcons and Chiefs, two contending teams, have question marks at left tackle. And both personnel departments are headed by former Patriots front office executives: Thomas Dimitroff and Scott Pioli.

In Atlanta, the subpar play of left tackle Sam Baker, a first-round pick in 2008, could be the least of Dimitroff’s worries. His top three offensive linemen - right tackle Tyson Clabo, right guard Harvey Dahl, and left guard Justin Blalock - are all unrestricted free agents.

By trading up in the draft to get receiver Julio Jones, Dimitroff signaled he is dead-set on winning now. Locking up Dahl and Blalock will likely be his top priorities. If the Falcons lose Clabo, they could switch Baker to the right side. That would open a spot for Light, who Dimitroff knows would settle the line.

It’s no secret that the Chiefs haven’t been thrilled with left tackle Branden Albert, a 2008 first-round pick. Asked at the NFL Combine whether Albert would be the left tackle in 2011, coach Todd Haley said, “He will be as long as he’s the best one.’’

Like Atlanta, the Chiefs did not take a tackle in the draft, and Albert could be switched to right tackle if a player such as Light is deemed a better option.

The Patriots know Light has value, and he definitely could return. But what if he doesn’t? Where does that leave the Patriots?Continued...

It's a 5 page article so I only posted the part about our team

[paulitik]

If Clabo goes, I would be down with it. Baker may very well be more suited to the right side, and it seems the team has a lot of faith in Reynolds, if tht doesn't pan out. Otherwise, I think we would have tried to re-sign Clabo last season in the uncapped year.

I think Light would be a great stop-gap, and a needed Veteran presence on our line. I just think he may be too pricey.

[Butudontseeme™]

If Clabo goes, I would be down with it. Baker may very well be more suited to the right side, and it seems the team has a lot of faith in Reynolds, if tht doesn't pan out. Otherwise, I think we would have tried to re-sign Clabo last season in the uncapped year.

I think Light would be a great stop-gap, and a needed Veteran presence on our line. I just think he may be too pricey.

I agree that light may be too pricey. Also, maybe baker would be better suited to play lg than t on either side?

[atljbo]

PFF

3. Matt Light, New England Patriots

Key Stat: Allowed seven regular season sacks.

Behind The Numbers: Watching Light run block (well) and pass block (poorly) was a bit of a surprise considering the Patriots’ rep as a passing offense. Not the player he once was, he’s still a more than able run blocker that does a good job of getting to the second level. Ideal situation would see him return to New England, but with Sebastian Vollmer better on the left side, will the Patriots want that?

I dont see the upgrade... Atleast you can hope Baker gets more consistent... If you want to try to upgrade... Go after Jared Gaither.... I see us atleast giving Baker this year... The guy has been injured and inconsistent... He would look good one game then struggle the next... I dont think he is as bad as some act like he is... He does need to become more consistent

[vel]

PFF

I dont see the upgrade... Atleast you can hope Baker gets more consistent... If you want to try to upgrade... Go after Jared Gaither.... I see us atleast giving Baker this year... The guy has been injured and inconsistent... He would look good one game then struggle the next... I dont think he is as bad as some act like he is... He does need to become more consistent

A lot of people on here think Baker is bad because other people say it. Baker isn't as bad as he was his rookie or second season. Yes he hasn't lived up to his 1st round billing but he isn't JA98 status.

I'd rather Baker than Gaither, whom we are not familiar with AT ALL, and he has had his fair share of issues with the Ravens

[Butudontseeme™]

A lot of people on here think Baker is bad because other people say it. Baker isn't as bad as he was his rookie or second season. Yes he hasn't lived up to his 1st round billing but he isn't JA98 status.

I'd rather Baker than Gaither, whom we are not familiar with AT ALL, and he has had his fair share of issues with the Ravens

I agree. It is also hard for fans to gauge the productivity of o linemen because of lack of statistical substance. Obviously we can tell when someone gets beat but why? Is it something that can be fixed or a total lack of talent. It's hard to say sometimes

[Knight of God]

PFF

I dont see the upgrade... Atleast you can hope Baker gets more consistent... If you want to try to upgrade... Go after Jared Gaither.... I see us atleast giving Baker this year... The guy has been injured and inconsistent... He would look good one game then struggle the next... I dont think he is as bad as some act like he is... He does need to become more consistent

I like Gaither a whole lot, but do you have any news about his back injuries?

[GEORGIAfan]

I would love to have gaither

[PTCFalcon]

If we invest in a lineman other than our own, isn't Doug Free with Dallas the top rated FA O-line. Dallas is said to be strapped salary cap wise (even though I know Free is a priority). I say if we going to invest in an outside guy let's get him and resign one of our own guys (Clabo or Blalock). Baker can go to LG or RT depending on our guy we sign. This is an upgrade and we get younger. Still have Hawley, Johnson, Reynolds and Valdez for RG and backup.

[atljbo]

I like Gaither a whole lot, but do you have any news about his back injuries?

I dont see us going after him... I like Gaither but ive read that he has a lazy type attitude.

I dont see us signing a O-Lineman (besides any of our guys) .... But his agent said his back is 100%

[vel]

JULY 16, 2011

Sign or decline: Jared Gaither

As the lockout continues, Ravens Insider wants your opinion on what the team should do with their own pending free agents. This blog takes a look at offensive tackle Jared Gaither. Should the Ravens sign or decline?

PROS: Gaither has the look of a prototypical left tackle, and he has the size and athleticism that teams covet at that position. He’s young (turned 25 in March). He’s experienced (33 starts including five in the playoffs). And he’s talented (he could develop into a Pro Bowl player).

CONS: His work ethic and health is very questionable at this point. He lost his starting job at Maryland because he didn’t show a commitment to the game, and he’s garnering the same reputation in the NFL. Gaither reported a handful of times to the offseason conditioning program last season, and he often misses practice time. A Ravens official said the team can’t depend on Gaither to play every Sunday. A foot injury caused him to miss most of the offseason camps, and a back injury sidelined him for the entire 2010 season (although his agent said Gaither has fully recovered now).

OUTLOOK: The Ravens offensive line is drastically better when Gaither is playing. There’s no argument in that. But his injuries and drastic weight drop before last year’s camp has worn out the team’s patience. The Ravens love his potential, not his work ethic. It would be very surprising to see the Ravens keep Gaither after last year’s drama. But some team will pay him in free agency because his talent is so alluring.

Link

I don't see the love for Gaither. Yes he is talented but he is injury prone and has a poor work ethic that was questioned in college and Baltimore. He basically brings more trouble than what we have with Baker right now. I want to see the OLine this year when teams won't be able to pack the box because of the threats that can beat you on the outside. I think that has more to do with their struggles than anything. Just go back and watch the 2nd Saints game, they put 8 in the box more times than anything. Packers did the same.

[Knight of God]

I dont see us going after him... I like Gaither but ive read that he has a lazy type attitude.

I dont see us signing a O-Lineman (besides any of our guys) .... But his agent said his back is 100%

I just think we'll resign Clabo and Blalock and Johnson will do fine.

[atljbo]

I just think we'll resign Clabo and Blalock and Johnson will do fine.

I think Clabo will be to expensive... I think if we dont go after a DE we will possible resign Clabo

[Maxman]

Matt Light is an athletic Super Bowl champion and three time Pro Bowler who makes about $4.5M per yearand is 33 years old.

Matt Light is why TD drafted Sam Baker. Baker will be Light in six years.

Light, like Baker plays left tackle for a high profile, intelligent, but, not necessarily mobile quarterback. If you look back at Light's nine year career, there have been three years where he gave up 10 or more sacks (including last year). Still, he is a nice complement to Brady, a strong leader and a "bargain" at $4.5M compared to the $10M or more paid to Jordan Gross, Jake Long and Joe Thomas.

LT is the toughest position in football when you have a right handed immobile (even if intelligent) QB. And unlike Light, Baker has also had to play 1/3rd or more of every game in the "no huddle offense" which is murder on LTs. Baker has improved every year (9 gms in 2008, 14 gms in 2009 and every snap of all 17 gms last year).

I say let's save the money and hope that Mr. Blank and TD do every thing they can to keep Blalock, Harvey and Clabo around. None of our five (including Baker and McClure) are tremendous by themselves but the continuity and team work has made them one of the best in the league. And, that continuity will never be more important than this year when the lockout has eliminated all off-season activities and may cause a shortened training camp.

if one of the three (Blalock, Harvey or Clabo) are not resigned, and interesting option/bargain may be Quinn Ojuinnaka who iwas with the Falcons for three years up unitl last year, can play both guard and tackle (and did so when Harvey was hurt in 2009), knows all the plays and terminology and still llives in ATL.

[Knight of God]

I think Clabo will be to expensive... I think if we dont go after a DE we will possible resign Clabo

I think we'll do better to sign Clabo than a DE in this FA, but there are still guys in the FA who will come pretty cheap man.

[birdz4i]

why do people seem to think baker is better suited for the right side?? he is not that strong in the run, and with his short arms he is better suited for the inside where he can get help from either side if needed.

Edited July 18, 2011 by birdz4i

[birdz4i]

I think we'll do better to sign Clabo than a DE in this FA, but there are still guys in the FA who will come pretty cheap man.

yeah but if we don t address something on the d line we are back to square one of where does the pressure come from besides abe?

[birdz4i]

grrr things screwing up again.

Edited July 18, 2011 by birdz4i

[Knight of God]

yeah but if we don t address something on the d line we are back to square one of where does the pressure come from besides abe?

We are not back at square one. We are in a circle man. Ever since Anderson was taken 8th overall in '07 we have been hurting severely. If we don't keep out OL in tact we'll be at square -1 trying to find a new QB because Ryan will get killed and we will have no run game. Clabo has been awesome and the OL is vastly underrated. I would sacrifice a defensive line all day to keep the OL going right.

[KANE337]

Has Baker ever played the right side? Is it an easy transition to change sides? I've never played Tackle. lol

[atljbo]

We are not back at square one. We are in a circle man. Ever since Anderson was taken 8th overall in '07 we have been hurting severely. If we don't keep out OL in tact we'll be at square -1 trying to find a new QB because Ryan will get killed and we will have no run game. Clabo has been awesome and the OL is vastly underrated. I would sacrifice a defensive line all day to keep the OL going right.

I like our O-Line but i think its the system more then the players... like TD said himself (about the right side of out line) ... They are average apart but very good together... I dont think TD value the guys (as in what he is willing to pay them) as much as some fans do... I think we will try to resign him but i think some one will pay more then we have him valued (similar to foxworth)

[The Falcon Jedi Knight]

Sam Baker should be a Guard. He would excell in that position. I dont like Sam Baker as a LT

[Knight of God]

I like our O-Line but i think its the system more then the players... like TD said himself (about the right side of out line) ... They are average apart but very good together... I dont think TD value the guys (as in what he is willing to pay them) as much as some fans do... I think we will try to resign him but i think some one will pay more then we have him valued (similar to foxworth)

Which may not be a great move. I still would take our guys Blalock and Clabo over a high dollar and average DE any day.

[birdz4i]

We are not back at square one. We are in a circle man. Ever since Anderson was taken 8th overall in '07 we have been hurting severely. If we don't keep out OL in tact we'll be at square -1 trying to find a new QB because Ryan will get killed and we will have no run game. Clabo has been awesome and the OL is vastly underrated. I would sacrifice a defensive line all day to keep the OL going right.

while i agree that he is pretty underrated, as a journeyman and a low contract guy this will be his "big" and final payday. i don t think he will come cheap and w/ dahl and blalock both being fa s our line will suffer one way or another. i doubt we will be to retain 2 of the 3.

[Knight of God]

while i agree that he is pretty underrated, as a journeyman and a low contract guy this will be his "big" and final payday. i don t think he will come cheap and w/ dahl and blalock both being fa s our line will suffer one way or another. i doubt we will be to retain 2 of the 3.

Pay Clabo what he wants and resign Blalock. Should have done this last season.