Much of the unrestricted free agent focus surrounding the Dolphins' own players has centered around the offensive backfield in general and running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams in particular.
I would tell you that is probably not the place the Dolphins should be placing their priority.
I would tell you the priority should be on defense. Right in the middle of all the action. At nose tackle.
Paul Soliai.
Soliai, drafted in 2007, is expected to hit free agency once the players' union and the NFL get their act together and agree on a collective bargaining agreement. He will not re-sign with Miami before a new collective bargaining agreement is reached, according to a league source, because he wants to maximize his earning potential and the 30 percent rule makes it hard to do that until after his current contract expires and he becomes a free agent.
So the Dolphins have "zero," chance of re-signing Soliai before he hits free agency, the source close to the player said Tuesday.
What does that mean?
It means the biggest body on the Miami defensive line, the player who started 14 games at nose tackle for Miami last year, will hit free agency assuming the league does not establish a lull period during which current teams have exclusive rights to negotiate with their own players.
I am told if Soliai hits the open market, it will be a free-for-all. He wants to remain with the Dolphins. But he wants to get paid. And there will be interest because there always is for a 355 pound defensive lineman that has proven he can play.
In talks between the Dolphins and agent David Canter, I am told by my source, the Dolphins are being cautious. Canter could not be reached for comment, but I'll keep trying. He is, after all, a weekly contributor on my radio show Armando and the Amigo.
I can understand why no deal has been reached yet. Soliai played better than he has at any time in his career in 2010 so he wants to be rewarded. The Dolphins are almost certainly guarding themselves against Soliai being a one-year wonder because he's been a reserve his previous three seasons.
Thus we have a gap that needs to be bridged.
Soliai was very good last year, tying Kendall Langford for the lead in solo tackles among defensive linemen with 33. He also led all defensive linemen with eight tackles for losses with eight. Bottom line, when the Dolphins lost defensive end Jared Odrick after the regular-season opener and needed to move Randy Starks from nose tackle back to defensive end, Soliai's play made that possible.
I imagine the Dolphins could retry the Starks at nose tackle experiment, but the bottom line is Soliai was more productive than any starting nose tackle the Dolphins have had under their current administration. So they should do everything possible to keep from losing that kind of talent.
There is also an inherent risk for the Dolphins in being overly cautious with Soliai. Unless they get that lull period, they could risk losing him to another team. And the New York Jets could be in the market for a starting nose tackle.
Just saying.
CSCO AFTER HOURS IS DOWN 2 DOLLARS .lol
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 05:02 PM
ALOCO,
I'M NOT COMPARING HENNE TO MARINO. I DIDN'T EXPECT HIM TO GO 14-2. I WOULD HAVE BEEN CONTENT WITH 8-8. I JUST WANT TO SEE PROGRESSION, NO REGRESSION. BUT AGAIN, I KNOW THAT'S ASKING TOO MUCH OF THE BEST QB TO EVER COME OUT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | February 09, 2011 at 05:10 PM
dc,
WHY DON'T YOU ASK;
1-MARSHALL...NOT TO SCREW US WHEN HE DID COST US 2GAME INC CHI.
2-FASANO ....TO CATCH THE BALL
3-R.BROWN TO GAIN YARDS NOT TO DANCE
WHY ALL THE BLAME ON HENNE ?????????????
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 05:12 PM
cream of jizz soup:
home's pecker
alocos right hand
into the pan
heat and serve
Posted by: shoe | February 09, 2011 at 05:12 PM
CHICKEN PARM IS THE MOST UNDERRATED DISH IN THE WORLD WHEN IT'S COOKED THE RIGHT WAY .
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 05:14 PM
ALoco...didn't you get a night job?
Posted by: Kris | February 09, 2011 at 05:15 PM
By the way ALoco, every coach, every football analyst, every fantasy football owner, everyone who ever watched any part of a Dolphins game this season voiced their disappointment with Chad Henne. You can't name a single human being on the face of this beautiful Earth who said, "Chad had a good season."
So, you can take my opinions and discount them, but, there's probably 6 billion people behind me with the exact same opinion.
The facts are the facts, I don't make 'em, I just believe my lyin' eyes.
If Chad Henne plays the first 4 games next year like he did in Oakland this past year, then I'll be his biggest cheerleader. Until then, he's the leader of the 29th best offense in the league. That's out of 32 teams by the way. I guess we just have different ways of showing our displeasure (me)/pleasure (you).
Posted by: DC Dolfan | February 09, 2011 at 05:16 PM
KRIS,
NOT TODAY AND NOT TOMORROW .I WORKED ALL LAST 2 WEEKS INCL WEEKENDS .
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 05:17 PM
You're right ALoco, Marshall dropped way too many balls. Fasano, I'm not as critical on because he was a glorified blocker in the Dan Henning system, and I don't remember him dropping many ACCURATE passes. Ronnie Brown has the worst season I might have ever seen for a top-tier (supposedly) RB, and guess what, I'm fine if he's not re-signed, and if he's signed to be a backup, that's fine too. But I want a RB to take his place.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | February 09, 2011 at 05:19 PM
DC ,
I VALUE YOU OPNION .
I AM disappointed in CHAD HENN .BUT YOU SEE THIS IS PART OF LEARNING AND GET EXP PLAYING .WE HAVE TO GIVE ROOM THIS YEAR AND PUT THE WHOLE TEAM ON HIS SHOULDER .
P.S...ARRON ROGERS DIDN'T HAVE PRESSURE ON HIM LIKE HENNE WITH OUR PIZZA COACHING STAFF TELLING HIM NOT TO MAKE A MOVE WITHOUT THEIR APPROVAL .
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 05:21 PM
for a chicken PARM to be tasty ,you got to use the japanese BREAD CRUMBS .
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 05:24 PM
¿Alguien vio el pene de Drew Carey hoy en "The Price Is Right?" Pude ver el contorno de la misma en sus pantalones y creo que estaba empezando a tener una erección.
Posted by: Octavio Albondigas | February 09, 2011 at 05:26 PM
"Japanese bread crumbs" are called panko.
Any real chef would know this term. They haven't been an obscure item for 20 years.
Didn't you also call chateaubriande "Chart Brian" yesterday?
Sheesh.
Posted by: paul | February 09, 2011 at 05:29 PM
Ohhh...well...enjoy your day off......
Posted by: Kris | February 09, 2011 at 05:30 PM
PAUL,
IF I DON'T MAKE MISTAKES ,YOU WON'T BE POSTING .
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 05:32 PM
Maybe I'll go into Le Cirque or the French Laundry sometime and ask if they have "Chart Brian" on the menu, lol.
Posted by: paul | February 09, 2011 at 05:36 PM
Maybe a glass of "Bowl Jellies" wine as well.
Posted by: paul | February 09, 2011 at 05:38 PM
Out of all the bickering on how to sign Soliai.....and wether or not to franchise him him or long term him......i believe that overwhelming majority is for keeping him.....
Thats gotta be some kinda record on this blog......
Even those who said let Soliai explore F. Agency only want that should he become unreasonable with the negotiation process...
Mr. Soliai.....You have won over this TOUGH crowd....and that is no easy feat.....congrats....and WELCOME TO THE MIAMI DOLPHINS....
Posted by: Kris | February 09, 2011 at 05:56 PM
ALoco, can you convince 'Octavio' to stop posting this gibberish? It's unintelligible and it hurts our ears.
Posted by: cocoajoe | February 09, 2011 at 05:56 PM
PAUL,
how you say banana dikry .
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 05:56 PM
Daiquiri
Posted by: d-dense | February 09, 2011 at 06:06 PM
PAUL,ARE YOU RIGHT NOW DELEVERING PIZZAS?
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 06:16 PM
PUAL I THNIK IS A LINE COOK FOR APPLEBEES
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 06:18 PM
paul, fake posts the last two
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 06:20 PM
Cuando Drew Carey era gordo que no podía ver su pene también, pero ahora que está más flaco se puede ver el contorno de su pene grande y masculino mucho mejor. Es especialmente atractivo y sensible hoy durante el "Showcase Showdown".
Posted by: Octavio Albondigas | February 09, 2011 at 06:23 PM
Octavio,
stop it or else as cocajoe said . you want fight ?
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 06:26 PM
Mark in Toronto....You were right about Forcier going to UM(Miami). Some terrible reporting in Montana, had all Griz fans hoping he would land here..Props to you. Folks are in a tizzy because now Joe Montana is in Missoula reportedly looking at the school for one of his sons....Sorry fellas off topic, but when someone is right, and I'm wrong gotta aknowledge the fact.
Posted by: Darryl Dunphy | February 09, 2011 at 06:27 PM
henne is to blame because he is supposed to be what his position says he is. that's a qb, the leader of a team, which henne is not. i still guarantee henne is not the starter next season.
Posted by: dolphin 77 | February 09, 2011 at 06:30 PM
Octavio, Por favor, se abstengan de hablar sobre el pene de Drew Carry, su solo demuestra que eres un pirata Butt.
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 06:35 PM
I SEA THAT DLOPHIN 77 IS HERE,TYRING TO GARNER VOTES FOR PRESIDENT OF THE GANG OF DEFEET,WHAT A DONKY.
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 06:38 PM
aloco it's see not sea and facts are facts. please don't take the place of bobbyd12!
Posted by: dolphin 77 | February 09, 2011 at 06:41 PM
dolphin77...that was the fake aloco...may god bless him and his kids .AMEN
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 06:46 PM
DD,
MARK IN TORONTO IS ONE OF THE BLOGGERS WITH KNOWLEDGE LIKE WOLFMAN AND KRIS .
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 06:47 PM
OMG, SOMEONE FAKING A COMPULSIVE FAKER(Aloco), MY MIND IS ABOUT TO IMPLODE.
Posted by: The Coalition | February 09, 2011 at 06:49 PM
ALOCO(OR FAKE ALOCO)(LMAOROTF) WHAT"S A "DONKY"?
Posted by: The Coalition | February 09, 2011 at 06:51 PM
If we cant give him more then a 30% raise, can other teams?
Posted by: corners | February 09, 2011 at 07:00 PM
No quiero tener sexo con Drew Carey. Yo simplemente disfrutar viendo los contornos de su pene masculino y grandes. Se trata de un pene superior, que todoshombres deberían admiran!
Posted by: Octavio Albondigas | February 09, 2011 at 07:02 PM
CREAM OF CAMEL SOUP
JACK OFF CAMEL IN A BOWL
FRESH PARSLY
PINCH OF NUTMEG
SERVE PROMTLY
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 07:02 PM
My issue is he was not great for 3 years, and he wasn't even the starter this year until odrick was injured
BUT id rather pay the kid then waste a draft pick on one
-----------------------------------------------
Man, you people are just too negative. Doesn't matter what the story is someones trolling slinging poop at coaches and players.
Posted by: corners | February 09, 2011 at 07:04 PM
Let's trade the entire dolphins organization top to bottom for Brady Quinn. Build out from the QB position.
Posted by: Fan from 2007 | February 09, 2011 at 07:09 PM
Supongo que si alguien sabe sobre el pene, supongo que tendría que ser Octavio
.
Posted by: The Coalition | February 09, 2011 at 07:11 PM
Primero me di cuenta pene Drew Carey cuando tuvo que ayudar a una anciana girar la rueda en el "Showcase Showdown". Cuando él levantó los brazos, el contorno de su pene enorme y era obvio que no podía creer lo que veía!
Yo sostengo que es el mejor pene de cualquier presentador de televisión!
Posted by: Octavio Albondigas | February 09, 2011 at 07:20 PM
armando needs to start a separate blog for the gay bloggers who like to blog about pene all day.
Posted by: queer not | February 09, 2011 at 07:30 PM
oh, alright aloco. sorry about that!
Posted by: dolphin 77 | February 09, 2011 at 07:38 PM
Armando, it's not like they have to choose between NT and RB. They need both. If they really want Ricky or Ronnie, they'll sign them, or more likely, one of them. The same can be said about Soliai. But I do think they want Soliai back, and likely Ricky too.
Posted by: Mike B | February 09, 2011 at 07:42 PM
Solai had one good year. Don't overpay the guy.
Posted by: mrmikejohnson | February 09, 2011 at 07:45 PM
Moisture
Posted by: Petrograd | February 09, 2011 at 07:59 PM
What is the deal with Snachez? I heard he is making sexy time with a 17 year old daughter of one of the richest men in America? 17 YEARS OLD?????? I wonder if he met her at a Justin Beiber concert?
Posted by: Darryl Dunphy | February 09, 2011 at 09:08 PM
ALERT.... 17 YEARS OLD IS ABOUT TO SUE MARK SANCHEZ FOR AN AFFIR AFTER HIRING ,KENNDEL AND ERIN FIRM .
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 09:16 PM
THAT'S IT ive had enough im done with the fins.
COLTS here i come.they have a real QB
Posted by: Cuban Menace | February 09, 2011 at 09:19 PM
SANCHEZ GOT LUCKY...IN NY AND NJ 17 YEARS OLD IS ALLOWED TO HAVE SEX WITH EVEN 30 YEAR OLD GUY....THEY MET IN MANHATEN AND SHE'S DAUGHTER OF WEALTHY GUY IN WALL STREET AND EVERY TI ME THEY MEET ,THEY MET AT THE SLIMES OF NJ .
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 09:21 PM
We have to get a steady partner for PS,otherwise he might spend all those millions in SouBea.
Posted by: oscar canosa | February 09, 2011 at 09:29 PM
That's jailbait here in Miami. God help me!
Posted by: oscar canosa | February 09, 2011 at 09:32 PM
17 is legal in New York State. Still, why would you do something like this? You are an NFL Qb. In New York of all places. I wonder if he helps her with her algebra?
Posted by: Darryl Dunphy | February 09, 2011 at 09:38 PM
DD- refer to the movie, "Lolita".
Posted by: oscar canosa | February 09, 2011 at 09:41 PM
Soliai was a nice surprise to the season. If you'll remember, Starks was slated to start at NT until injuries changed all of that. Soliai movefrom his back-up roll to starting and the light came on at the same time! (See there were some good things that happened this year!)
The Browns are releasing veteran players today. (Cringe!) . Wonder how many the Fins are salivating over? Please, let's not start a Cleveland-Miami connection like the Dallas-Miami connection!
Posted by: Tracy474 | February 09, 2011 at 09:43 PM
DUMB PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD ALL OF YOU LOL
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 09:44 PM
No. She helps him with his
Posted by: Ace From Texas | February 09, 2011 at 09:46 PM
In Spanish, se lo clavaron(a Sanchez). In English, he got hoodwinkled.
Posted by: oscar canosa | February 09, 2011 at 09:46 PM
DD,
SHE SPENT THE NIGHT AT HIS HOUSE BUT NOW THEY BROKE THE RELEATION BETWEEN THEM .
Posted by: ALoco | February 09, 2011 at 09:50 PM