Tag: Paul Soliai

How will the Dolphins use Dion Jordan in 2013?

May. 07 Opinion 1 comment

When the Miami Dolphins traded up to draft Dion Jordan, it shocked all of the NFL draft ‘experts’.  Mostly everyone (myself included), thought the Dolphins were trading up to select their new starting left tackle, Lane Johnson.  However, when Roger Goodell announced that Dion Jordan was the pick, we all screamed “YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH, AWESOME!!!!  WAIT, WHAT?”  The Dolphins were determined to get their man, a man that stands 6’6.5″ tall and weights 250 lbs.  They were determined to find a freakish pass rusher opposite of Cameron Wake.  However, what no one knows for sure is exactly how the Dolphins will utilize the unique athlete that is, Dion Jordan.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

The Dolphins played a 4-3 defense for a majority of the season in 2013 under first year defensive coordinator, Kevin Coyle.  However, the moves made this offseason would suggest that changes are coming to the Dolphins defense.  Gone are run stoppers Kevin Burnett and Karlos Dansby, from the middle of the defense.  Incoming defensive pieces include the more athletic linebackers Philip Wheeler, Dannell Ellerbe, hybrid Dion Jordan, and defensive tackle Vaughn Martin.  These new pieces suggest that the Dolphins might be considering a more hybrid defense in 2013.

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New helmet mockup, plus Dolphins sign DT Vaughn Martin

Mar. 28 News and Notes 8 comments

Yesterday, the Dolphins admitted that the leaked logo we shared with you was legit.  They’ve even gone so far as change the logo on the team’s official website and auctioned off a t-shirt last night with the new logo to one of their Fin Club members.  So the Dolphins may not be happy about the leak, but they are doing their best to embrace it.  Mike Dee, the Dolphins CEO confirmed yesterday that the initial leak of the logo was courtesy of someone at Nike.

Photo Courtesy of Lisa Johnson via Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post

Photo Courtesy of Lisa Johnson via Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post

There are still some surprises the Dolphins are holding onto until the big unveiling on April 25th.  For example, the Dolphins are not confirming what the Dolphins new helmet or uniforms will look like.  Also, the team’s script name will also have a new look, but we haven’t seen any leaks on that yet.   Above is a mockup that was done by Lisa Johnson (@LJ1303) to show how the Dolphins logo might look, knowing what we know (i.e. white facemask, etc.).  It’s going to take some time to get used to the logo, but I like the clean look of the helmet!

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It’s official: Randy Starks has been tagged by Dolphins

Mar. 04 News and Notes 2 comments

As we said earlier today, the Dolphins were very likely going to franchise Randy Starks.  Well, moments ago, the Dolphins made it official when they officially placed the franchise tag on Randy Starks.  Our story earlier talked about how this move could impact Sean Smith and Jake Long.  Both are probably now finished in Miami.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Starks will earn about $8.4 million in 2013 and will return to the ‘teeth’ of the Dolphins defense.  It is not ideal for the Dolphins to use $8.4 million on Starks in 2013 because they already have about $6 million devoted to Paul Soliai.  That means the Dolphins defensive tackles will account for just over $14 million next season.   With the NFL salary cap about to be set at $123 million, that means the Dolphins will have almost 12% of their salary cap space tied up in 2 guys that don’t score touchdowns.

Don’t get me wrong, I was hoping Starks would return.  However, the Dolphins must use their new found leverage in this situation to lock him up to a longer term deal, lowering his 2013 cap number.  Starks and Soliai are stout on the defensive line and have helped the Dolphins against the run.  But, I’d like to see his cap number come down a bit so the Dolphins can sign more weapons on offense…..or even a pass rushing defensive end opposite Cameron Wake.

The Dolphins now have the leverage, with what is sure to be an unhappy Starks, as he can not test free agency now.  He”ll be on the Dolphins roster for 2013.  Now, it’s time for both sides to come together on a longer term deal that helps both Randy and the Dolphins.

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LaCanfora: Dolphins expected to tag Randy Starks

Mar. 04 News and Notes 2 comments

The Miami Dolphins have a few hours left to decide whether or not they will use their franchise tag on one of their own soon-to-be free agents.  Some have speculated that Jake Long or Sean Smith might get ‘tagged’.  However, Long’s salary would be over $15 million for 2013 and Smith’s would be over $10 million.  That’s too much for either of those 2 players.  Long is looking for a contract around $11 million per season, but it seems that the Dolphins want no part of that type of deal for a player that has finished the last 2 seasons on injured reserve.  Smith, although a starting corner, has not lived up to his potential that we constantly hear about.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

That leaves us with Randy Starks.  Starks is 1/2 of the Dolphins twin towers that plug up the middle of the defense.  Soliai and Starks helped the Dolphins limit opposing running games for the majority of last season.  Though the Dolphins run defense struggled down the stretch, we saw how dominant those two could be in the middle of the field.  Starks is not a pass rusher, but he’s not meant to be.  He’s the type of guy that every team needs, he’s the guy that does the dirty work on the defensive line.  Starks’ solid play earned him a trip as a replacement to this year’s Pro Bowl.  His good play has not gone unnoticed.  (cont’d on page 2, click here)

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Wake is only Dolphins Pro Bowl starter, but other named alternates

Dec. 27 News and Notes no comments

The Miami Dolphins have had a mediocre year, if you look at their 7-8 record.  However, the Dolphins seen growth in some players that should not go unnoticed.  When the Pro Bowl voting was revealed on Wednesday, we learned that Cameron Wake was named a starter in this year’s Pro Bowl.  However, there were other Dolphins that were left off the roster, even though they might have deserved it.  The Miami Herald reported earlier today that the Dolphins do have some candidates for the Pro Bowl, in the form of alternates.  This means that if the starter or backup is unable to play in the Pro Bowl game, then one of the alternates will take his spot.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

The Dolphins that were named as alternates include:  Brian Hartline, Reggie Bush, Mike Pouncey, Paul Soliai, Brandon Fields, and Randy Starks.  A case can be made for why each of those players was named as an alternate:

Brian Hartline already has 1,000 yards on the season.  Considering he only has 1 touchdown reception on the season, I was mildly surprised that he was named an alternate.  Good for him though!

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Miami Dolphins go gangnam style with celebrations

Oct. 29 News and Notes no comments

The Miami Dolphins had a lot to cheer about yesterday in their 30-9 demolishing of the Jets.  Two Dolphins players in particular had quite a bit of fun…..Gangnam Style!  If you’re asking yourself what Gangnam Style is, check out this video:

Gangnam Style is the the Korean rap senstation that has been watched over 115 million times on YouTube.com.  Honestly, I have no idea what this guy’s singing about…..but it’s a popular song.  Saturday Night Live even did a sketch about Gangnam Style a month ago.

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Soliai working hard to earn long term contract not another Franchise Tag

Jul. 05 News and Notes 2 comments

Before the Lockout started, the Miami Dolphins placed a $12 mil franchise tag on their monster NT, Paul Soliai.  We, like many of you, were very excited to hear over the weekend that Soliai is working hard despite being lockout of the Dolphins facility.  From what we understand, Soliai is weighing in at 342 lbs, right around the playing weight that Tony Sparano would like him to be at.  We hope Paul continues to build upon the improvement he showed in 2010.  He was a force to be reckoned with on the interior of the Dolphins defensive line.

Photo by Chris J. Nelson

However, keep in mind that while Paul is working hard to ‘earn’ his $12 mil in 2011, he is also working hard to ‘earn’ a long term contract from Jeff Ireland and the Dolphins.  The $12 mil contract he signed is a 1 year deal, meaning that Soliai will need to show in 2011 that he can maintain the high level he played at in 2010.  The Dolphins would be wise to hold off on a long term deal until at least mid-way through the 2011 season, making Paul prove that he’s worth the investment.  We like Soliai a lot, don’t get us wrong, but he’s a player that has had weight issues and motivational issues in the past…..So if you give a player like that a big, long term deal, he could slip into his old habits.

We’re excited to see what Paul can do in 2011 for the Dolphins because he has the size and strength to demand double teams, which will free up other defenders to stop the run or get to the quarterback.  We just hope he continues to improve and show the consistency that made him so good last season.  A dominating Soliai in the middle will allow Randy Starks to move to the DE position, only to spell Soliai on obvious passing downs inside.  This creates a great DE rotation of Kendall Langford, Randy Starks, and last year’s first round pick for the Dolphins, Jared Odrick.

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