New England Patriots
Nate Solder - #77 - T
| Status | Active |
| Height/Weight | 6' 8"/ 320 lbs. |
| Birthday | 04/12/1988 |
| Birthplace | Denver, CO |
| College | Colorado |
| Years played | 3 |
| Drafted | 2011, 1st round, 17th pick by Patriots |
Patriots equipment manager dies of leukemia
Don Brocher, the Patriots' equipment manager and longest tenured employee, lost his battle with leukemia late Monday.
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Patriots shut out Dolphins, earn playoff bye
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Report: Patriots' Gronkowski likely to play Sunday
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski is likely to play Sunday vs. Miami, according to Comcast SportsNet New England.
Key matchup: Patriots running game vs. Dolphins run defense
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Week 17 playoff scenarios
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Redskins-Cowboys flexed to prime time in Week 17
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Tom Brady overcame a rough start by throwing two touchdown passes, and the playoff-bound Patriots held on to beat the woeful Jaguars 23-16 Sunday.
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49ers withstand Patriots' comeback, clinch playoff spot
The 49ers earned a playoff berth by withstanding a stunning comeback by New England from a 28-point deficit to beat the Patriots 41-34.
No surprise when Patriots re-sign WR Branch
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Key matchup: Patriots running game vs. 49ers run defense
We know the 49ers like to run the ball, but the Patriots have more carries than the Niners, and the run game has been crucial to their success.
Week 15 handicapping column
PFW handicapping expert Mike Wilkening believes the Falcons will regain some of their lost luster on Sunday.
PLAYER NEWS
Solder, a first-round draft pick out of Colorado, has been impressive in training camp and preseason for the Patriots. Now, with starting right tackle Sebastian Vollmer missing practice again Friday and expected to be sidelined for Monday night's game against the Miami Dolphins, Solder figures to move from his usual left tackle position to the right side.|||||||
Solder says he is ready for the challenge, although "I don't know exactly what's been going on with that (Vollmer's injury), but I'm going to play wherever they need me to play."
Solder has signed with New England and joined the Patriots at training camp.|||||||
Coach Bill Belichick said Thursday that the Solder deal was done and the 319-pound offensive lineman would be practicing with the team in the afternoon. Solder was a first-team All-American last year at Colorado and started in 36 games during his college career, including four as a tight end. He is the last of New England's first six picks to sign.
The Patriots used the 17th pick on Thursday night on Nate Solder, a first-team All-America player last year who lined up for every offensive snap for Colorado as a senior. They had taken another 6-foot-8 tackle, Sebastian Vollmer, two years ago and he started every game for them last season. And Matt Light has been the starting left tackle the past 10 seasons.|||||||
Solder missed just two snaps in his last three seasons at left tackle where he protected the quarterback's blind side. He never played the right side in college, and coach Bill Belichick said he will be a left tackle in the NFL. "There's a lot of things he'll have to improve on. He's a smart kid, a hard worker," Belichick said. "For a big guy, he moves very well."
