Fins Re-Sign Paul Soliai
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - The Miami Dolphins have re-signed massive nose tackle Paul Soliai roughly 24 hours after he became an unrestricted free agent, according to CBS4's Kim Bokamper.
The Fins let Soliai walk Tuesday afternoon when a deal couldn't be reached. Soliai had played last season under the franchise tag and was paid more than $10 million for one season.
Soliai is a proto-typical 3-4 nose tackle, standing 6'4" and weighing 355 pounds, which could mean the Dolphins will use a hybrid defense that varies between the 3-4 and 4-3.
Last season, Soliai had 27 tackles, but was key in the Dolphins running defense by eating up multiple blockers on a consistent basis.
The re-signing will give the Dolphins one heck of a defensive line.
The Fins will have Cameron Wake, Soliai, Jared Odrick, Randy Starks, and Tony McDaniel. So, stopping the run shouldn't be a problem at all for the Fins next season.
According to NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora, the deal includes $12 million in new money and when combined with the 2011 franchise tag will total $24 million over three years, with $18 million guaranteed.
The deal, according to the Palm Beach Post, will count roughly $4 million against the salary cap.
The deal likely signals the end of the Dolphins' pursuit of Peyton Manning as there may not be enough salary cap space left, which will roughly be a little more than $10 million for rookies and free agency and before any player is released or restructured.
