Clean slate for Nate Solder | Boston Herald

Great stuff on Solder, who has quickly developed into one of the most imposing left tackles in the game.

Solder has been picture perfect at his most important duty: pass protection. Brady has dropped back 166 times this season, making 158 pass attempts, and Solder hasn’t allowed as much as a single clean hit on his quarterback. He has been tagged for two hurries, was flagged for a holding penalty that was declined, whiffed on a cut block and appeared to miss one assignment that didn’t hurt the Pats in the opener against the Bills, but those are five minor hiccups. It is no fluke, either. Solder’s solid technique is behind his rapid development. Solder’s greatest asset has always been his footwork, but he has worked feverishly over the last two offseasons to build up his strength. That’s been evident time and again this season, including one tell-tale play against the Bills when he neutralized defensive end Mario Williams, who looked like he was running on a treadmill trying to push through Solder.