Dolphins encouraged by Soliai's progress

[X-Pacolypse]

This came from the Miami Herald's "FLORIDA SPORTS BUZZ" by Barry Jackson.

http://www.miamiherald.com/1262/story/605871.html

The Dolphins are encouraged by the improved work ethic of Paul Soliai, a big disappointment as a rookie. But in general, ''Paul has a long way to go,'' defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers said. ``Remember, he [started] only one year on the defensive line in college.''

 

[DefensiveEnd76]

Soliai is listed as being 355 pounds now. He's a monster at 6'4" 355

 

[sceeto]

Soliai is listed as being 355 pounds now. He's a monster at 6'4" 355

Yeah! That amazes me too. I would love for him to be able to develop into decent player at least to give us some depth at NT where we are really thin. He's definitely got the size to stuff the gaps. It might be a long shot, but let's hope.

 

[haoleboy]

A dude that big, I just don't understand how he isn't at least moderatly effective on the D-line. Bigger than just about everybody out there he should be playing like a man among boys.

 

[G-Force]

Soliai was used very often to start the year last year. Their was an article where Vonnie and Keith stated they were confused about why he went from contributing to never being used. In another article at the end of last season Soliai stated that he knew what he needed to work on and was was going to do so all offseason. Lets hope he along with Rod Wright, Kendall Langford, Phillip Merling, Lionel Dotson, and Roth provide a solid, effective D-line for many years to come.

 

[BlueFin]

Yeah! That amazes me too. I would love for him to be able to develop into decent player at least to give us some depth at NT where we are really thin. He's definitely got the size to stuff the gaps. It might be a long shot, but let's hope.

This guy just needs development time, he got very little proper instruction last year from Camerons outfit, so last year was a waste.

 

[Valandui]

This guy just needs development time, he got very little proper instruction last year from Camerons outfit, so last year was a waste.

That seems like a pretty common refrain this season.

 

[ckparrothead]

That seems like a pretty common refrain this season.

Even more so along the DL, since Cameron fired the much more proven Dan Quinn in favor of a much more unproven Diron Reynolds, who was a mere quality control coach for the Colts, a team that runs a much more pass rush-oriented DL. Reynolds came over and emphasized pass rush moves (by player and coach admission), and sure enough our DL couldn't stop the run to save their lives (including Soliai).

I sort of understood the line of thinking behind firing Dan Quinn. Even though he was a top notch DL coach (IMO), he refused to sign a contract extension and he'd have only been coaching one more year...but there was nothing compelling about Diron Reynolds as a coach that made you say "we need to strike on him while we can" and I see no reason Quinn couldn't have served out the final year of his contract. He probably wanted out because he knew with Saban gone Dom Capers would completely change up the defense.

I think the O players generally god quality coaching, especially from Cameron.

 

[Rev Kev]

A dude that big, I just don't understand how he isn't at least moderatly effective on the D-line. Bigger than just about everybody out there he should be playing like a man among boys.

It's about getting off the ball and leverage...

 

[DefensiveEnd76]

At 355 pounds, I hope he doesn't collapse in the high humidity in South Florida

 

[lbmclean_sj]

if he sticks with the conditioning regime, he should be that much better I would guess

 

[BobDole]

read that too. very encouraging. being as thin as we are at NT, losing a 350 pound freak with excellent speed (for his weight - someone disagreed with me that he was fast for his weight last time i posted this - don't be stupid again please) is something we can hardly afford. we need him to develop and progress.

 

[phintim]

Even more so along the DL, since Cameron fired the much more proven Dan Quinn in favor of a much more unproven Diron Reynolds, who was a mere quality control coach for the Colts, a team that runs a much more pass rush-oriented DL. Reynolds came over and emphasized pass rush moves (by player and coach admission), and sure enough our DL couldn't stop the run to save their lives (including Soliai).

I sort of understood the line of thinking behind firing Dan Quinn. Even though he was a top notch DL coach (IMO), he refused to sign a contract extension and he'd have only been coaching one more year...but there was nothing compelling about Diron Reynolds as a coach that made you say "we need to strike on him while we can" and I see no reason Quinn couldn't have served out the final year of his contract. He probably wanted out because he knew with Saban gone Dom Capers would completely change up the defense.

I think the O players generally god quality coaching, especially from Cameron.

There have been few positions that I have disagreed with you on but I have felt that you supported Cam and Mueller more than they deserved. The Dan Quinn firing was a good example of a very bad move by at least one of those 2 guys. I would agree that Cam was a decent offensive coordinator though with you but between Cam/Mueller there were some big mistakes made that contributed to their demise.

 

[RZA]

From the simple fact that this guy is 6'4, 355 lbs and relatively quick he has got to be in the mix. I mean if he can get his conditioning and technique down its going to take 2 OL'men to get him out of the way freeing up Crowder and Co to blast the HB. The kid is young and needs to be developed and he can learn a lot from Jason Ferguson.

I think Starks is the heir apparent for Ferguson but Soliai can provide good depth.

 

[sceeto]

This guy just needs development time, he got very little proper instruction last year from Camerons outfit, so last year was a waste.

I totally agree about last year. I'm willing to give a lot of the guys a free pass for that very reason. Hopefully this staff will be able to bring out the best in them so we can find out what kind of talent and potential they may have...that would be great!