Why the Soliai Re-sign is Huge for 2012 | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Why the Soliai Re-sign is Huge for 2012

Hayden Fox

Hayden Fox

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I have read some misguided fans state how the Soliai signing was "stupid" and "no big deal". I read people say because he did not play many plays it was dumb re-sign. However, I also seen knowledgeable fans state that it was a coup to get him back when many "experts" in the local media thought he was to sign elsewhere (paging Mando and Omar).

I have seen analysis on Playbook for instance that spot-shadows Soliai and his success at destroying running games. With that effort next year (and on a 2 year deal he will still play motivated) Soliai's running stop prowess will be needed based on the schedule...

NYJets X 2
Buffalo X 2
Tennessee
Jacksonville
St. Louis
Houston
SF
Seattle
Oakland

are all teams that are going to want to pound the rock. Some might even be considered "run first teams". Unlike the 2011 sked where the Fins faced pass-happy teams, 2012 will entail stopping the run. There might not be a better NT to help free your LB's than Paul Soliai. Great re-signing by the FO.
 
Yeah, we were lucky to be able to resign him for relatively cheap. I still think we need more help in the backfield more than anything, though. Sean Smith blows.
 
I agree...and I would add to help the DB's a pass rush always helps. I think Marshall signing is interesting if ends up the 3rd CB.

Ireland has taken care of some depth issues and now he must pivot to the pressing needs such as QB, receivers, RT, RG, pass rusher and DB's.

The missing parts to this team CAN BE filled much easier than many think.
 
Soliai is like this era's Tim Bowens. We need that kind of body in the middle of the DLine. Please see our playoff game against Denver circa '98 and what happens when we dont have that due to injury.
 
The argument I have against him is for a few reason...
1) If we are indeed switching to a 4-3, he will be a part time player (much more part time than he would be in a 3-4). He doesn't necessarily fit a 4-3 alignment as well. No QB pressures.
2) We could've used that money to lure in Laurent Robinson, Mario Manningham, or Eric Winston. WR and RT are completely void of talent (although I'm pulling for Murtha to do big things)
3) This is becoming a pass-happy league. The run is now being used less and less. As a pass rusher, Soliai doesn't offer much.

I'd trade him in a year to a 3-4 team. Value contract, so 3-4 teams would pounce.
 
mandal24 said:
The argument I have against him is for a few reason...
1) If we are indeed switching to a 4-3, he will be a part time player (much more part time than he would be in a 3-4). He doesn't necessarily fit a 4-3 alignment as well. No QB pressures.
2) We could've used that money to lure in Laurent Robinson, Mario Manningham, or Eric Winston. WR and RT are completely void of talent (although I'm pulling for Murtha to do big things)
3) This is becoming a pass-happy league. The run is now being used less and less. As a pass rusher, Soliai doesn't offer much.

I'd trade him in a year to a 3-4 team. Value contract, so 3-4 teams would pounce.
Click to expand...

I disagree that he does not fit into a 4-3. He played in a 4-3 in college. No, he does rush the passer like Warren Sapp, but that is not his strength. I made the point earlier that you are playing many teams that are not pass happy. Therefore, run stopping will be huge in the regular season.

Winston is a nice FA, but the others you mention do not impress me when compared to Soliai. Paul Soliai would do more to help the team win than Laurent Robinson or Mario Manningham.

BTW, do not sleep on the fact that when a team re-signs its own FA's it creates a positive culture within the locker room that if a player commits and develops he will be rewarded by the club.

Great re-sign.
 
mandal24 said:
The argument I have against him is for a few reason...
1) If we are indeed switching to a 4-3, he will be a part time player (much more part time than he would be in a 3-4). He doesn't necessarily fit a 4-3 alignment as well. No QB pressures.
2) We could've used that money to lure in Laurent Robinson, Mario Manningham, or Eric Winston. WR and RT are completely void of talent (although I'm pulling for Murtha to do big things)
3) This is becoming a pass-happy league. The run is now being used less and less. As a pass rusher, Soliai doesn't offer much.

I'd trade him in a year to a 3-4 team. Value contract, so 3-4 teams would pounce.
Click to expand...

1) How would he not fit a 4-3? He could easily slide in as a 1-Technique and take up the G and C. Your classic 4-3 has one DT that is SUPPOSED to occupy blockers. Think big Pat Williams when the Vikings had the best run D for a long time.

2) We greatly underpaid for a top FA in Soliai and you suggestion is we greatly overpay for WRs who are #2 prospects at best? Winston would have been a very good signing and he is still and option at this point, but we don't need to be offering him more than $8 million a year.

3) Every year Soliai has gotten better (his pass rushing skills have improved as well) and his ability to get pressure up the middle will allow him to become more of a factor in the passing game. Especially on play action passes.

Soliai was resigned at a bargain and he will have a significant impact for our D in 2012.
 
He can move and put pressure on the pocket like Wilfork does in the 4-3, I love that we got him back. Front line could be Wake-Solai-Starks-Odrick on 1st 2nd down. Slide odrick inside on 3rd down and bring in rookie pass rusher or currently Westerman who we just signed. Gives us great run stoping ability out of the front.
 
I think Soliai will be ****ting on teams in the 4-3 b/c teams wont be able to double him as much.
 
mandal24 said:
The argument I have against him is for a few reason...
1) If we are indeed switching to a 4-3, he will be a part time player (much more part time than he would be in a 3-4). He doesn't necessarily fit a 4-3 alignment as well. No QB pressures.
2) We could've used that money to lure in Laurent Robinson, Mario Manningham, or Eric Winston. WR and RT are completely void of talent (although I'm pulling for Murtha to do big things)
3) This is becoming a pass-happy league. The run is now being used less and less. As a pass rusher, Soliai doesn't offer much.

I'd trade him in a year to a 3-4 team. Value contract, so 3-4 teams would pounce.
Click to expand...

Big Paul was a 4-3 DT in college. He will do quite well as the 1 technique DT in a 4 man front.
 
I breathed a huge sigh of relief when we got Soliai back. I kept wondering over and over in my head how we were going to keep our run D tops in the league with him gone. Huge deal. Huge deal. I feel much more secure now. Now the D just needs a pass rusher, an OLB, and another CB who is a good tackler. Safety too. D will be set then.
 
The solai signing was a good solid deal. I think big paul is way overrated on this site but no doubt the guy has turned into a good player. I think his agent made a wise decision because I doubt he was getting the money that his agent was asking for last year. Still worked out great for paul basically 3 years 24 million including last years franchise tag
 
keeping him will allow us a lot of versatility. With him on deck we can run the 3-4 effectively if we want and paul is the type of talent that will excel as a DT in the 4-3 as well
 
$18 million guaranteed over three years is a pretty damn good payday for a NT.

I think Soliai still has room to get better, particularly as a pass rusher.
 
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