Some people were shocked the Patriots allowed Nate Solder, who had started most of the previous six seasons at left tackle, to leave and sign the biggest contract ever given to a left tackle. Others were not.
The Patriots moved quickly to fill the considerable void — LaAdrian Waddle and Cam Fleming are also free agents, leaving only Marcus Cannon and two inexperienced rookies (Antonio Garcia, Andrew Jelks) under contract — by signing former Seahawks and Eagles lineman Matt Tobin to a free-agent contract.
So what's the plan the Patriots have for Tobin? Why did they sign him? We dove into the film to form an educated guess:
After digging into the film, here's what I liked:
- Good size (nearly 6-foot-6) and measurables. Not the longest arms, but nothing that prevents him from playing on the outside.
- Very good run blocker, which is probably the biggest void from Solder's departure. Since Tobin is such a good run blocker, he was often used as the tackle-eligible for the Seahawks. Right now, he's a much better option on those plays than Fleming, which is probably the biggest reason Tobin is here. The Patriots didn't get a whole lot out of those packages last year.
- Here's a video that shows a half dozen of those tackle-eligible plays:
- Will block to and beyond the whistle, and down the field. Doesn't quit until the play is over.
- Has shown improved hand work at times, as you'll sometimes see him slap down the lead arm of a rusher.
- Smart player. Understands blocking schemes and how the defense may attack. Can adjust on the fly.
- Executes the cut block, which all the Patriots' tackles have had issues with.
- Not the quickest feet in the world, which makes a starting position a bit of a reach for him. Certainly can fill-in as a reserve on a limited basis, which makes him an ideal swing tackle. That's a benefit for the Patriots, so they can carry just one reserve tackle on gameday and not have to worry about switching, say, Cannon to the left side should the starting left tackle (whoever that ends up being) gets injured.
- Lacks punch at the top of his kickback. Not sure if Seattle coached that, but Dante Scarnecchia does and will be trying to improve on that.
- Without the punch, at times Tobin allows the rusher to get into his chest, which is a problem area for an offensive lineman.
- Doesn't move well in reacting to counter moves from defenders, especially on the run.
- He was viewed as a pass-blocking disaster (eight sacks allowed, 50 total pressures in 14.5 games according to Pro Football Focus) when he started at guard for the Eagles in 2015.
Chandler Jones
Bottom line