Should Paul Soliai Return?

Jimmy Bourbon

9 years ago

When a team goes 6-10 there are many things that need to be fixed in order to turn them into a winner. With that being said, Miami does have some very specific areas that they desperately need to improve on, and most of those areas involve the defense. It was only a few seasons ago that Miami actually had a very good defense. However, over the last three seasons, the Dolphins defense has imploded, and the root of the problem begins with Miami’s porous run defense.

Over the last 5 years, the Dolphins went from having the third-best run defense in 2011, with only allowing 95.6 yards per game on the ground, to last season in 2015 being the 28^th worst run defense in the league allowing 126.2 yards per game. Some of the best pay per head reviews web pages will point out that Mike Nolan was the defensive coordinator for the Dolphins in 2010 and 2011, and that he did an excellent job of making the Dolphins one of the better defenses in the league in those two seasons. That point is supported by the fact that after he left things began to slowly fall apart for the defense, until the last two seasons, where the Dolphins defense has been practically invisible in the trenches.

Another interesting note on a personnel level is that Paul Soliai was a key member of the Dolphins run defense when they were 3^rd best in the league in 2011. He was also a part of the team in 2012 when the Dolphins took a step back and were the 13^th best run defense in the league allowing 108.4 yards per game. His last season on the Dolphins was in 2013, and that was basically the beginning of the end for the Dolphins run defense, where they finished 24^th worst in the league, allowed 121.1 yards per game. In 2014 Soliai followed Mike Nolan’s footsteps and went to the Atlanta Falcons. In 2013 the Falcons were the second-worst team in terms of run defense, allowing 135.8 yards per game. After Soliai joined the team in 2014, he helped them make an improvement, by becoming the 21^st team against the run, but more importantly, dropping their yards per game average on the ground down to 118.4.

There is talk that Soliai might return since his release by the Falcons so they can avoid paying his $5 million dollar base salary for 2016. Soliai has already vocally expressed an interest to return to his former team in Miami, and many would agree that a Soliai and Suh pairing would definitely help the Dolphins improve their situational run defense. But, Soliai is more of NG, one or two gap player, whose days as a starter are likely over. The Dolphins currently have Earl Mitchell paired with Suh, but he has not played particularly well the last two seasons, and he is set to make $3.5 million this season and $ 4.5 mill next season, with $1 million in dead cap money. He is good as gone for next season, so if that money could be used more efficiently, the Dolphins would be wise to pull the trigger. And unless Soliai is willing to pay for the $2 mill range, it just doesn’t seem like he would be that wise move from a starter’s perspective.

Then there is 2nd round pick Jordan Phillips who really flashed some great talent. Has his conditioning and ability to focus on every play risen to the level of a starter to allow Soliai to be a back-up and role player? By year two a 2nd round pick should be nearing full-time contribution. Phillips progression will be huge for this season and for the 2015 draft evaluation. Soliai could be a useful but small piece to the defensive puzzle. If he is brought in for that purpose then it makes sense. Other than that, it would likely be a pipe-dream. Truth be told, neither Soliai or Mitchell is the answer. Phillips though could and should be, and if not, Miami better find someone who is! Go Fins!!!

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