Why Solder at TE was effective
September, 19, 2011
9/19/11
12:30
PM ET
By
Mike Reiss | ESPNBoston.com
Leon Halip/Getty ImagesNate Solder lined up as tight end 18 times Sunday vs. San Diego.
What did it add to the offense?
"The Chargers have a very good defensive front. They have outstanding guys on the end of the line [at outside linebacker] with [Travis] LaBoy, [Shaun] Phillips and [Antwan] Barnes, so just having another guy out there to handle them or another guy on the wing with Dan Gronkowski just puts a little more presence on those positions," coach Bill Belichick explained.
Here is how the Patriots' production broke down out of the Solder power package:
Runs: 14 for 63 yards, TD
Passes: 3 of 3 for 41 yards
On one snap, the Chargers were penalized for a neutral zone infraction.
The package was used seven times in the first half, and 11 times in the second half. In the second half, it helped the Patriots impose their will on the Chargers on the final touchdown drive.
Mike Reiss
Patriots reporter, ESPNBoston.com- Covered Patriots since 1997
- Blogging on Pats since 2004
- Joined ESPNBoston.com in 2009
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Mike Reiss
Mike Reiss first started covering the Patriots in 1997 with the team's official newspaper, Patriots Football Weekly, before moving on to the MetroWest Daily News in his hometown of Framingham. From 2005 to 2009, he covered the Patriots for The Boston Globe, while also writing on the NFL. He started his popular Patriots blog in 2004. Send any questions or comments for Mike to his mailbag. Follow him on Twitter here.
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