The Giants made left tackle Nate Solder the highest paid offensive lineman during free agency, simultaneously significantly bolstering one of the weakest offensive lines in football and dealing a blow to a Patriots line tasked with protecting Tom Brady.

According to upcoming inductee into the Patriots Hall of Fame, Matt Light, it won't be easy for New England to replace the body guard of Brady's blindside.

"As far as fans, and how they view this season with respect to the loss to a guy like Nate, Nate's not a guy you can just replace. No. 1, because he's a ridiculously large mammal," Light said, via ESPN about the Patriots prospects of replacing Solder."From the first time I met him, I thought, 'Man, this just shouldn't be right that big guys like this are designed the way they are.' No fat. Runs like a deer. Got the reach and wingspan of a vulture. The guy is just unbelievably talented in so many ways, and he's smart, a cerebral player. You don't replace a guy like that overnight."

Solder walks into the starting job at left tackle for the Giants, and will likely line up next to heralded second-round rookie Will Hernandez as general manager Dave Gettleman sunk significant resources into fortifying the line charges with keeping Eli Manning upright and opening running lanes for No. 2 overall pick running back Saquon Barkley.

The contract Solder's signed on the first day of NFL free agency back in March is worth $62 million over four years, with $35 million guaranteed. Additionally, the 29-year-old also brings with him veteran leadership to a group that had been lacking it.

The Giants' decision to sign Solder also underscores an organizational philosophy of trying to make one last championship run with Manning and time will tell if it was a prudent strategy.

Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoNFL