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Is Paul Soliai Ready to be the Full-Time NT?

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by GARDENHEAD, Mar 8, 2010.

  1. GARDENHEAD

    GARDENHEAD Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I have no idea, because I'm not the most experienced NT talent evaluator. I get drunk during the games, so I usually have no idea who's making great stops at NT.

    What do y'all think?
     
  2. Rocky Raccoon

    Rocky Raccoon Greasepaint Ghost Staff Member

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    I think he could for sure but still has some work to do. Pretty young though and there's room for improvement. I still expect us to bring in someone else though.
     
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  3. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    I dont see it...if they sign Clark, and Dan Williams falls to them at 12, Soliai will have some competition....
     
  4. PhinsRock

    PhinsRock Premium Member Luxury Box

    He has shown flashes, so this is his year to step up and prove if he will be the man. However we definitely will be drafting a NT to back him up since Fergy is out 8 games and may not come back even then.
     
  5. rtl1334

    rtl1334 New Member

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    He can be physically dominant but struggles with play recognition. He is probably good enough to ensure we do not need to select Williams at 12 - but will need one soonafter. This is good because our OLB is critical.
     
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  6. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    If Williams is there at 12, the Dolphins will most certainly pick him...
     
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  7. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

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    Friend GardenHead, like you, I am not an authority, however, I follow the trenches on both sides carefully & have the following opinions about the NT situation:
    1) Paul Solai (6'4" & 355 lbs.playing w/ good leverage) is the prototype for the position & has developed into a starting quality member of our defense. He made his bones in the NFL last year. The problem is not Solai in & of himself, it is the position of NT that has to be addressed differently than most other positions.
    2) it takes two "starting quality" NT's to run the 3-4 successfully. you need to rotate the position because of the stress put on the point of attack. w/o two NT's in rotation you open yourself for a critical drop in production in the second half & an increased chance of injury as the season progresses.
    3) the learning curve for a NT in the NFL is about two years. it is difficult to draft someone straight out of college & have them step up & play well @ NT. I see a strong possibility in resolving the problem in free agency rather than the draft.
    4) I don't care who your line backers are, if the NT is not effective, the defense will collapse in the center, the opposition offensive line will get a push & they will run all over you & effectively maintain a pocket for pass protection.
    5) this is the most crucial & difficult position to fill correctly in the 3-4 defensive system & you need two of them to run it successfully over the course of a season.
     
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  8. FinsFan_In_Iraq

    FinsFan_In_Iraq New Member

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    Like it or not, Soliai will be the starter. Even if we draft Williams at #12, he's still going to have a huge learning curve.

    The Ravens are about the only team with 2 starting quality NT's.....NT is a 2 down player...Ferg got rotated bc of his age mainly....anytime NE was in a 3-4 set...Wilfolk manned the middle.

    On passing down we'll be running a 4-3 set that won't include Soliai anyway. I seriously doubt it will be a NT @ 12.....

    IMO Soliai made some serious strides last yr, it's really a matter of him showing up to camp in shape this yr. Im sure we'll draft a guy, but it probably won't be in the first 2 rounds.
     
  9. NolePhin

    NolePhin Look out for D-Bess

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    Question:

    Why Dan Williams over all the other NT's in the draft? Is it the weight issue with Cody? Or is Dan Williams just the best rated 3-4 NT, although he did play in a 4-3 in Tennessee.
     
  10. Disgustipate

    Disgustipate Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Sure, when he started last year he was a fairly average guy who had flashes of being better. He has room for growth. We can have an elite run defense with Soliai starting.
     
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  11. Disgustipate

    Disgustipate Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    That is fairly presumptious given Williams will likely throw up some typical Parcells red flags on weight and college production.
     
  12. NickyNapoleon

    NickyNapoleon Active Member

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    I will respectfully disagree here, I think there are too many playmakers at 12 to take a NT there. I understand that NT's are important to a 3-4 defense but if you can get an impact SOLB at 12 and get a Cam Thomas later you have to do that. Or if we dont get a S and you can get an impact S you have to do that before you get a NT
     
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  13. m ino

    m ino New Member

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    regardless of how we do it we are brunging somebody in that will be eaqual to or better than soliai.i wasn't high on this kid when he first got here but he has shown much improvement.that said we cant go into this season with just soliai wether he stars or not we need to have someone to spell him without a major loss of production like we saw from our lb's when crowder went out.nor can we go through this season soliai stays completely healthy the entire season in which he probly won't if we start playing him like cleeland played rogers and his 900 snaps.atop of that we just spent some major cash on dansby and the dt position may be key to his success here so i doubt we see this f.o go with just solisi and joe carpenter behind him.also this is what his third season?so he should be ready to start.
     
  14. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    yes
     
  15. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    While I agree 12 is too early for an NT, it is the biggest need they have right now.......who are these playmakers?? presuming Bryant is gone...dont see a need for McClain anymore but they could take him.....maybe Kindle as they need a OLB.....

    NT's are the MOST important position in running the 3-4, Soliai isnt cutting it by himself, I expect them to get somebody in there where it be through FA or the draft...if Clark signs they are going to turn their attention on this I would assume....
     
  16. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    Miami never plays the 4-3, it is either the 3-4 or they switch to the nickle and dime packages on passing downs....
     
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  17. FinsFan_In_Iraq

    FinsFan_In_Iraq New Member

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    Guess I was typing to fast without thinking....meant 4 down lineman anyway...

    Reguardless, Miami won't use #12 on a 2 down player.
     
  18. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    we shall see....

    god bless in Iraq bro, be safe....I was there Feb 03-April 04
     
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  19. gunn34

    gunn34 I miss Don & Dan

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    IMO Soliai was good. He ocassionally showed flashes of being great. I don't remember him showing flashes of sucking. So I think with another year under his belt, he will be very good and gould have a great season.

    If he showed us he was good, but had flashes of being terrible, then I would worry.

    Having said that. NT is a position that takes alot of beatings. We need to get him help.
     
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  20. shaunm000

    shaunm000 Well-Known Member

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    I love your honesty! HAHAHA

    This is usually why im not good at Fantasy leagues, theres always that dude that doesnt drink that picks up all the good waiver wire players! Im 2 days late thinking someone is available!
     
  21. NolePhin

    NolePhin Look out for D-Bess

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    Either way, we need some depth at NT with Ferguson suspended. Like many of you already stated, it is just too physically demanding of a position to not have at least 2 guys to rotate.

    I think we can all agree that the FO is addressing the NT position. Whether or not it's with the 12 overall pick, we will just have to wait.
     
  22. Mcduffie81

    Mcduffie81 Wildcat Club Member

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    Rarely do I log in unless I see something that I feel I just HAVE to post a reply to. This post should be the post of the year imo. It made me LOL........I have no input other than that. :up: :up: :up:
     
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  23. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

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    Soliai is a backup in this league. Nothing special. He has his moments but it's what ever. We can do better.
     
  24. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

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    Why post if you have no input?:crapstrom:
     
  25. Mcduffie81

    Mcduffie81 Wildcat Club Member

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    Im a post whore DUH! :angry:

    Paul Soliai is good when he wants to be. Hes big, strong and very nimble for such a huge man. Can we afford for him to be our starting NT this year? Yes. Forever? No. Dig for a prospect in the later rounds of this draft. Theres my input.
     
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  26. Tin Indian

    Tin Indian Rockin' The Bottom End Club Member

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    I think so too, at this point anyway. He may still develop into something more but I don't see him as more than a backup/rotational player.
     
  27. cobrajet

    cobrajet Mr. Ross - sell the team!

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    Hell no...

    He's just a big body and based on the runs that we gave up on the inside last year he'll be lucky if he doesn't get cut. This guy has zero mean streak. Vince Willfork he ain't...

    I think the phones on draft day will be red hot trying to find a big, consistent, and mean NT. This draft has much to offer in the NT department.
     
  28. PHINANALYST

    PHINANALYST Well-Known Member

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    I think Soliai had some very, very good moments last year ... his style seems more suited towards a quick penetrating NT (Sapp-like) vice a beef eater type that we expect out of our NT. I think he has much talent.

    Our top 3 draft positions: DL, LB, S .... i do believe we sign a WR in FA (either bite the bullet with Marshall-if you can lower the price or sign Bryant as a stop gap). I do like Gilyard as a better version of Bess in rds 3-4 if he lasts that long. Then we need another developmental ILB to grow along with Dansby and Crowder.
     
  29. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    IMO Soliai is a two-down guy. They will be looking for a third down NT that can rotate with him. I don't see Dan Williams as a fit at all. I think a guy like Odrick is much more likely. That's why you hear of their interest in Clark. He brings something that Soliai doesn't. But #12 may be a bit early for Odrick. I think Bryant followed by E. Thomas and Graham is the top of our board.
     
  30. Disgustipate

    Disgustipate Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Like when?
     
  31. DearbornDolfan

    DearbornDolfan Active Member

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    No offense, but this right here tells me you have zero idea what a 3-4 NT is supposed to do. His job isn't to stop the run, it's to take up the attention of two guys on the line so an ILB can get through and plug the gap. Yeah, it's a bonus if the NT can get through the double block and take down the runner when he tries to bounce it and Soliai DID that last year. Or do you not remember the fumble he forced against the Jets, not to mention quite a few other plays where he stopped the runner cold.
     
  32. DearbornDolfan

    DearbornDolfan Active Member

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    ALL nose tackles are two down players when they're at that position. You get guys like Wilfork and Ngata who can bounce outside to DE when it's called for and I honestly think Soliai has the athleticism to do that.

    What it comes down to is having depth at that position. I mean, we KNOW the FO is going to address it because they're looking hard at Jared Oddrick and Cam Thomas, it's just a question of when.
     
  33. PerfectTeam

    PerfectTeam Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Last year, our problem stopping the run wasn't about nose tackle play. The fact we had the worst ILB play in the NFL last year was the problem. Soliai still has a ways to go but it looks like he is maturing and could become a serviceable NT for us. I believe Soliai has only been playing the position a few years having started on OL at Utah. I do think we take a NT prospect but probably not at 12 unless they really like Odrick, which I happen to do.
     
  34. Pariah

    Pariah Revolutionary

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    I like Soliai, but as everyone is stating we need another quality NT to be successful and he has to come before the 8th game. Not a whole lot out there right now, and I am hoping we don't use our 1st rounder for a NT, as I am not too sold on any with that pick.

    And to those who have dissed on Soliai, I have to ask why?

    The guy made some nice plays last season (as pointed out a couple of times), and if you are looking for big stats out of a NT then you don't understand the NT position in the 3-4 (also pointed out a couple of times).
     
  35. Jaj

    Jaj Registered

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    He's no exceptional nose tackle but he's far from a weakness. If they add a third veteran NT I'll be very pleased with the rotation. Perhaps the third guy will be a depth player at multiple positions. I'm curious if Marques Douglass could hold up at the nose with a little weight gain.

    For shorter players who've played two-gap 3-4 DE I'm honestly not convinced the transition is all that difficult.
     
  36. Jaj

    Jaj Registered

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    I'm thinking 43 regardless should be used on Cam Thomas. He has the ideal size for a NT on a Parcells team at 6-4, 330. Any higher or shorter and that's just too fat especially for a rookie. He's played for four years and has the right attitude for Parcells.
     
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  37. Pariah

    Pariah Revolutionary

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    Little Rhody
    If we could snag a one year stop gap at F.S. (Sharper) and grab Kindle with the 12th, Thomas with the 43, I would be cool with that.

    Now it still leaves us with a hole at W.R. most, and also T.E. - But hopefully the F.O. can work something out to fill those needs, I am just not sure what or how.
     
  38. Anonymous

    Anonymous Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I'm not sure on this, but I don't think the ideal size for a NT on Parcell's team is 330 pounds. Somewhere around 305-310 sounds right. Someone like Jared Odrick.
     
  39. cobrajet

    cobrajet Mr. Ross - sell the team!

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    Soliai has a lot of trouble sheding his blocks to tackle when they are running right by him off center and often takes himself out of the play. Go back and watch the highlights of the games we lost last year. He isn't responsible for all of them but a good majority through the 1 and 0 holes.

    Also, judging by his continued suspensions by the team he is not well thought of. The above is not the making of a starter in the NFL. He is average and still needs continued improvement. With all of that said I am not down on the guy but I think he will remain mediocre and agree that he needs help.

    I was a NT when I played college ball so I guess I can really see the need for upgrading there. I wish Jason Ferguson was 10 years younger. He is superior to Soliai.
     
  40. Pariah

    Pariah Revolutionary

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    Could have fooled me!

    :tongue2:
     

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