These reports seem a bit premature considering they haven't even hired a DC yet.

BTW, here is the source: http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/4365/paul-soliai

 

Why are those two things connected?

I would think Soliai would be an awesome 4-3 defensive tackle.

 

...

 

Doubt that is going to happen at the price tag he is going to require. I would much rather go after C Campbell IF I was running things. Burfict would be a good 2nd rounder, I like SPence in the 3rd as well to play outside moving either Burnett or Dansby inside.

 

Just work the numbers a little.

 

Seriously?

That 3-4 was the league's 6th ranked defense.

I believe we're just as ready to run a 4-3 too. Same holes we currently have in the 3-4 are the ones we'd have in the 4-3.

 

I tend to agree. Dansby, Misi, Langford, and Starks are much better fits for the 3-4. The later 3 almost strictly 3-4 players.

If we change the 4-3 I think we are deep enough to have the personnel for there as well. Although I think Dansby would be better suited for the weak in the 4-3, I think he could end up playing strong pretty well. While Burnett could be a very nice weak player. We would need a Mike, as there's no chance Misi translate to that in the 4-3 IMO.

Also, I actually agree with the fact that Soliai actually would fit well in the 4-3 NT. Although being a very good NT with a limited market may price him out of our range?

 

No way is Odrick a 4-3 DE. DT all the way. And would be a very good one at that. I'm letting one of Soliai/Langford walk, maybe both depending on price tags, and drafting Quinton Coples to play opposite Wake.

 

We will be fine whichever D we run. I think we kind of have a hybrid version of both most snaps.

 

I disagree. I think Odrick could very much do both. He did it this year and showed enough quickness on the outside to be able to fill that strong side end in the 4-3 if we needed. Odrick is very much our Justin Tuck

 

It's doubtful we'll be able to franchise Solai again (as it would be at 120% of his tender from last year) but no reason we can't work out a deal. Guessing either way he'll explore the market first, hopefully he gives us a chance to match.

 

Solai is a decent player but it ends there, decent. Not worth the franchise tag money again by any means. Someone will pick him up but he certainly is not going to get paid the way some people think he is or should.

 

Odrick would thrive as a 3-4 DT.

 

Except that Odrick has about 40 lbs on Tuck so there's no comparison whatsoever. Odrick is not a 4-3 DE. He's just not. Wasn't coming out of college, and isn't now. 3 technique all the way imo.

 

Right because a weight difference, means no comparison...got it..


What makes him unable to play end in 4-3 to you?

 

Campbell may be franchise tagged, ditto Avril, the only reason why Williams is hitting the market is younger players stepped up and his 22 million dollar for 1 yr number.

Have to laugh a bit about Soliai, bang the drum to sign Flynn or Manning, then fail to realize, gosh that money has to come from somewhere..adios Soliai at 12 millie per, hello new Qb. I think Ireland has wanted Starks at DT since preseason 2010.

Misi
Starks
McDaniel/Odrick
Wake

 

A typical 4-3 defensive end plays in the 260s to 270s. Odrick is well above 300. You don't easily shed 30-40 pounds and you don't play 4-3 DE at 305. Before we get into any of the technical stuff, the truth of the matter is that he's simply not build to play the position. He's too heavy and he's too slow.

 

He didn't look too slow last season when playing in that role.

 

How many 305 lb 4-3 DE's do you know? I can't think of any off the top of my head. Odrick, while very quick for a 300 lb guy, is still too big, and too slow to be a 4-3 DE. He will be a terror as a 3 technique, and that's where he will go.

 

Kevin Carter disagrees with you.

 

That actually sounds appealing. I love 3-4 defenses, but the thought of Wake playing in the dirt, with Langford/Starks/Odrick at DT (wishful hoping that we can grab a DE in FA or the draft, so Odrick can play inside) is pretty nice.

I like the 4-3 DE prospects in this year's draft. Coples, Mercilus, and Ingram are all elite pass rushers that will go in the first. Then, you got 2nd tier pass rushers that will last til the 2nd-4th rounds (ie. Curry, Branch, Miller, Bequette, etc...)

 

While I prefer Odrick at DT, I think he could play like a Justin Smith (49ers) at DE. That guy doesn't run around anybody, but has a devastating bull rush. I see Smith listed at both DT and DE, but I see him doing damage at DE.

 

It looks like we may have re-signed Soliai.

http://www.operationsports.com/forums/ufl/533735-source-dolphins-re-sign-dt-paul-soliai-max-contract.html

 

Odie could shed 20 pds or so, and McDaniel or Merling can play DT

We could add Lawson (if Croyle is hired) to play Sam and Misi can play LDE as well, this is not really an issue imo.

Misi as a Mike...not sure about that, I've said I liked Misi at ILB, at MLB..not sure if he has the mind/recognition for that job

 

That is surprising

 

Kevin Carter, Vonnie Holliday, Shaun Ellis, Red Bryant, Trevor Pryce, Richard Seymour and Cory Redding off the top of my head.

Some of them are in 4-3 defenses that are closer to 3-4 defenses, but pretty close to all of them have been "true" 4-3 ends that lined up wide of the offensive tackle.

That being said, many of them played DE in a base 4-3, then kicked inside and played DT in Nickel packages.

 

Justin Smith plays DE because the 49ers use a 3-4. Even then it's not really the same because Smith is only 285 lbs.

 

Unexpected, but I'm happy. I thought Soliai would be demanding a much bigger contract. I like having a big DT/NT. You can see the impact you get from a Wilfork in NE.

 

Why waste the time. Draft Quinton Coples and be done with it.

 

Either way, it's not about quickness. And Smith is primarily lining up at DE in their nickel packages where you have a four man line. Their base defense being a 3-4 is irrelevant.

 

If this is true, that's not a bad deal IMO.

It's not like Paul is some oafishly slow sloth with 2 left feet. The guy has some agility and athleticism for such a big man.
Depending on how we line him up, I don't see him being any less successful in a 43 than 34 TBH.

If we're switching to a 43, I'd let Langford walk after signing Paul, keep Odrick at DT, and go after an impact DE.
Like Dupree said, I'd make the numbers work with Mario if possible. The only way I'd move Odrick to DE is on 1st down or run situations. In that sense we'd need to add a situational pass rusher for when Odrick moves inside on passing downs, a guy who could groom into the eventual starter once Odrick moves inside full time to replace Starks.

 

Or draft Julian Miller, who can play DE in the 43 and slide inside to DT in pass rush situations and give us another edge rusher.

Gimme Julian Miller and Vinny Curry. Now, that would be a scary pass rush.

 

Doesn't matter. Odrick is a 3 technique tackle. Sure he probably could play 4-3 DE if you plugged him in there, but then you'd just be wasting his talent anyways, so it's irrelevant.

 

If the Soliai story is true, that saved the team 7 million on the cap.

 

Is that legit TP, look a bit shady to me.

 

That's like a fantasy sports or weird roleplaying game. It's the only thing showing up on Google for it, too.

 

Or that. Just give me a true edge pass rusher. We need one. Badly. Cam Wake can't do it all by himself. Especially when there's nobody worth a damn on the opposite side so they just focus on Wake. And this includes if we wtick to the 3-4. Misi is an awful pass rusher.

 

We could always get Merling to try and shed some weight and move back to SDE.