Beautiful, at the end of the day, Ireland was forced to blink, they could not risk losing a high quality NT. This will have repercussions though, that is 10 million or more that just hit the budget, meaning someone may be leaving in the next couple of days to pay for this move.
Well Casey Hampton signed a 3 year, $21 million deal, so I mean it's not that bad. The move is worth it for two reasons: -We keep Soliai from hitting the open market -We have another year to negotiate, either making this moot or essentially giving him another "contract year," in which case, he'll need to play hard if he wants to get paid again. It's a lot, but I'm all for it.
12 million dollars for a NT tag. But, keep in mind that will have to withstand the new CBA, Soliai is risking winding up with 12 million vs heading into FA during the lockout, so was Irish and he felt he could not risk losing Soliai so he had to tag him...but no money changes hands as of yet. FWIW, this is like the first time I've ever seen the Dolphins Franchise use the full on Franchise Tag.
This was a good and necessary move. Soliai was arguably Miami's best defensive lineman last year. It's also only one year. And, they may still make him a deal. Since there are others who are not under contract I don't think the Dolphins will have to do anything soon to deal with cap issues. And, once the CBA goes away - all sorts of things are up in the air.
We basically franchised Long, Ronnie, Dansby, and Marshall with their contracts. But I know what you mean. I cant recall either. Theyve always done a good job of getting extensions done. JT and ZT never hit the open market in their prime.
Wow. I actually thought they were going to get an extension done before I thought I'd see this. Either way, nice to know were going to keep him for at least another year. Hopefully they get a deal done to extend him though and lessen the hit financially. The bigger hope though, is to hope he continues his progress and domination like he did this year.
Apparently he is a non exclusive right Franchisee, meaning I'd guess he can sign elsewhere but it would cost 2 #1 picks or a #1 and #3? Not bad for a guy most had thought was on his way out of Miami when the addled minded "move Starks to NT" plan was hatched. Be nce if Starks rounded back into 2009 form now that the NT stuff is no longer being contemplated.
Soliai is arguably a big reason we have an excellent run defense and a very good defense overall. So while I wish we could reach a long term deal with him I'm glad we secured him for at least another year. I think it would have been more difficult to replace him than it will be to fill the running back position, any oline spot open, or upgrading at safety.
You have to realize there's a lot of confusion about the franchise tag right now and it's nothing more than a PR move at this stage. There can be no franchise tag that restricts free agent movement in 2011 if there is no 2011 because there is no CBA. On the outset, placing a franchise tag that doesn't exist has the potential to create acrimony with the player, which is why I took it they didn't do it right away. The key is sensing where the rest of the NFL is going on this one and if the rest of the NFL is going along then you have to be worried that the NFL will only accept franchise tags that were designated BEFORE the new CBA. If that's the case then you almost have to do this.
Problem was "if" Soliai was not tagged we could have a situation wherein he became a FA before we had a chance to work a deal with him once the 30% rule expired. 2010 CBA=Lockout=1 week FA period=Training Camp begins We maybe never would have had a chance to sign him and would have lost him for no compensation.
whether this is a ploy, a move to get something in return in a trade (a la the PATSIES) or an incentive for a long term (4-5 year deal), this needed to be done. the whole MCD / Starks at NT is bunk .... we went through this last year as a safeguard against Soliai stepping up -- he did as some of us predicted, now lets move on to a more pressing issues. with Odrick returning (assumed at full health), this move probably makes MCD a non returner ....
Are we allowed to negotiate a deal (when the CBA is in place), then remove the tag? I would love to pay this guy $5 mil a year for 5 years, rather than $10 mil this year, then work out a contract. I'm assuming that is what the Steelers did with Hampton, but I'm not sure of the exact rules with tags.
"yes" the tag can be removed "no" we cannot do that with Soliai. We are still under 2010 rules, which allows for the Tag, but it also means no more than a 30% raise, which would have put Soliai at slightly over 1 million dollars for 2011, which is why there has been no deal worked out.
Great post. I wanted us to keep Soliai all along because he really did a good job this year for us but it will be co$tly. I have to give them credit, they did a super job developing him into a keeper. Maybe we have turned the corner and are making better decisions these days. I hope it is a sign of things to come.
Can't we just backload/incentive base the hell out of his contract? That may not be first on Soliai's wishlist, but it could almost guarantee him a job for years and it would save us a ton of money for this off season. I really think this free agency is perfect for us with the available talent.
Well, what the 49ers did was create a series of contracts that supplanted the next one to sign Willis long term and get around the 30% rule. I'd think they will offer Soliai a contract with a 12 million dollar signing bonus to supplant the franchise tag when all is said and done.. He's not going anywhere anyway unless of course someone offered either 2 #1's or a #1 and #3 as he was not tendered as a Exclusive Rights Franchise player.
Lots of cap space right there, Pads. With that 100 mil cap you are predicting, that's more than 10% of it. sent from my EVO 4G
You guys could have signed Jenkins once the Jets cut him. Granted he's as durable as Pennington's shoulder. sent from my EVO 4G
Which would not be smart because the whole point of the contract is to insure he doesn't slip into past habits that caused his issues with the team in 2009. At the very least the tag in the meantime will allow the team to monitor how he is doing this offseason. If they see him a couple months from now and he's gained 15-20lbs...well that's going to really affect any contract offer. I think this team wants to see the same effort he put up last offseason.
He was one of the few players whose performance Nolan gushed about on some inside out pursuit. Soliai for a big man moves really well I seem to recall him catching some running backs on plays that had been strung out to the sidelines.