Solder, Pats' OL to face good test in Eagles' Wide-9

Photo: Beth Hart, Flickr 

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Nate Solder had a less-than-impressive showing in the New England Patriots' preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints.

The new starting left tackle, who is taking over for quarterback Tom Brady's longtime blindside protector in Matt Light, was called for two holding penalties early on and consistently struggled to stand his ground against the right edge of New Orleans' defensive rush.

New England's offensive line as a whole, which has been hampered with injuries, veteran departures and shifting, didn't allow Brady and the rest of the Patriots' quarterbacks to get into their normal comfort zone.

Solder and the rest of the Patriots' front line will have an opportunity to redeem themselves Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive front.

Philly uses the Wide-9 technique on the defensive line, which has the four-man front spread out so the defensive ends are well outside the opposing offensive tackles. This forces the offensive tackles to get up and into position quicker to compensate for the speed and outside angle the defensive ends are coming at.

Solder will be up against a hungry Trent Cole, who missed the Eagles' preseason opener to a sprained AC joint. Without Cole, the Eagles tallied seven sack against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week.

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