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          New England Patriots

          Tom Brady & a rookie left tackle

          • Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff WriterAug 17, 2011, 01:55 PM ET
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              Mike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. You can follow Reiss on Twitter at @MikeReiss.
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          FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Patriots have concluded a walkthrough practice and are scheduled to travel to Tampa this afternoon.

          One thought to pass along from the walkthrough: With quarterback Tom Brady primed to see his first preseason action Thursday night, it appears he will be doing so with rookie Nate Solder protecting his blindside at left tackle.

          Veteran Matt Light, the projected opening-day starter, was not spotted at the walkthrough. Light was removed from the active/PUP list on Saturday, practicing for the first time, but not with a full load.

          When the Patriots worked on 11-on-11 drills this week, Solder -- the 17th overall pick in the draft -- lined up at left tackle with the top group.

          The Buccaneers play a fast, aggressive 4-3 defense and protection for Patriots quarterbacks from the blind side, specifically when/if Brady is in the game, will be one area watched closely from this perspective.