Solder Was 'Hoping And Praying' To Be Drafted By Patriots
BOSTON (CBS) -For Patriots first round draft pick Nate Solder, being selected by the New England is a dream come true.
"It's incomprehensible man. I was hoping and praying I was going to the Patriots," Solder told 98.5 The Sports Hub's Damon Amendolara Thursday night shortly after being selected. "It's the way that they do things, their high class mentality that I respect so much."
Listen: The DA Show: First Round Pick Nate Solder On Being A Patriot
"When coach Belichick gave me that call, I was absolutely honored and he welcomed me to the organization, as well as Mr. Kraft. So I got an opportunity to speak with them both."
Read: Patriots Draft: Who Is Nate Solder?
Solder, who only got one visit from the Patriots in offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia on Monday, stands at 6-foot-8 and 319 pounds.
"It's a huge advantage to be big and stay in people's way to be honest with you," said Solder. "When you have 6-8 running around, it's a little bigger of a loop than if you were 6-5. I think it's a big advantage."
Read: Patriots Well Stocked For 2nd, 3rd Round of NFL Draft
Solder said he is a very coach-able player and cannot wait to sit down with the Patriots coaching staff. The rookie could be blocking Tom Brady's blind side very soon, with many question marks surrounding the current state of the Patriots offensive line. Matt Light is a free agent and Logan Mankins remains at odd with the Patriots after being franchised in February. Mankins could sit out in hopes of a trade or contract extension.
But Solder would not mind a little competition for a starting job.
"I think it's going to be a competition and through that process it is going to make us all better," he said. "There are a whole lot of things I haven't done yet and a whole lot of things I have to learn. I couldn't be with a better group of coaches and a better organization to learn those things."
