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Paul Soliai visited the Panthers this weekend


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Posted by Josh Alper

on March 13, 2016,

6:01 PM EDT

 

 

The Panthers have a formidable pair of defensive tackles in Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei, but they may be in the market for some veteran depth behind them this offseason.

According to multiple reports, former Dolphins and Falcons defensive tackle Paul Soliai visited with the Panthers this weekend. Soliai was released by the Falcons earlier this month after the second season of a five-year deal he signed before the 2014 season.

The quicker than anticipated departure from Atlanta came after Soliai’s role diminished in Dan Quinn’s first season as the team’s head coach. Soliai played 29 games and started 24 games in his two years with the Falcons and left Atlanta with 51 tackles and a sack on the stat sheet.

Soliai was with the Dolphins for seven years before heading to Atlanta and earned a reputation as a run stopper in the middle of Miami’s line. He will likely play that role with the Panthers or anyone else he signs with this offseason.

 

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/13/paul-soliai-visited-the-panthers-on-sunday/

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Doesn't it seem odd that when we cut players, they are so pizzzed they want to play in our division against us, but we rarely pick up any of our division rivals ex-players. We used to though...years ago we were notorious for picking up ex-saints. Morton Anderson....Bobby Hebert and etc.

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2 hours ago, falconfansince66 said:

Yeah, he'll keep the bench warm for that defense, that's for sure...

No.. He'll spell Star on run downs so he can stay fresh for 3rd downs, like Short. It'd be a good pick up.

Love/Star first 

Star/Short on second 

Star/Short on third. 

It'd be.. 

Love/Solali first  

Short/Star on second 

Short/Star on third.. 

Staying fresh is important.

 

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It was stupid to get rid of him. We need a big monster run stuffing NT on this team at all times. Every time we have taken a chance on a big huge NT it pays off, latest being him and Grady Jackson. WHY does this team always want smaller finesse guys? Silly we need a 330 LB + NT in the DL rotation. It would be good to have two of them.

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17 minutes ago, MAD597 said:

It was stupid to get rid of him. We need a big monster run stuffing NT on this team at all times. Every time we have taken a chance on a big huge NT it pays off, latest being him and Grady Jackson. WHY does this team always want smaller finesse guys? Silly we need a 330 LB + NT in the DL rotation. It would be good to have two of them.

I don't think Soliai worked out so well for us, honestly.  Most of the time he was a nonfactor.

To be fair, he was horribly misused by Nolan, but last season he had more flashes than any consistent success.  He needed to be upgraded.  I'm okay with them letting him go.

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1 hour ago, JDaveG said:

I don't think Soliai worked out so well for us, honestly.  Most of the time he was a nonfactor.

To be fair, he was horribly misused by Nolan, but last season he had more flashes than any consistent success.  He needed to be upgraded.  I'm okay with them letting him go.

Who did we bring in that was the upgrade, Sanu can't stuff the run.  The Linebacker core needed to be upgraded, if anyone should have taken a pay cut it should have been Brooks Reed.   

Edited by insight
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23 minutes ago, HASHBROWN3 said:

This is all well and fine.  But we have some young talent in Jarrett & Mbu who make Paul expendable.  

I guess we will be  fine is a relative term if you're comfortable with being a sub par team. Based on what I witnessed throughout the season Solia was far from expendable if anyone was it was Brooks Reed who his still on the roster.  

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12 hours ago, Wardog357 said:

Doesn't it seem odd that when we cut players, they are so pizzzed they want to play in our division against us, but we rarely pick up any of our division rivals ex-players. We used to though...years ago we were notorious for picking up ex-saints. Morton Anderson....Bobby Hebert and etc.

My thoughts exactly

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45 minutes ago, insight said:

I guess we will be  fine is a relative term if you're comfortable with being a sub par team. Based on what I witnessed throughout the season Solia was far from expendable if anyone was it was Brooks Reed who his still on the roster.  

I like Paul.  He's big and tough but he's 32 & we have younger talent that can do more for DQ's defense.  

And regarding Brooks Reed, I don't really care if he stays or goes either.  

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1 hour ago, HASHBROWN3 said:

This is all well and fine.  But we have some young talent in Jarrett & Mbu who make Paul expendable.  

Neither of them are real 330 + LBS NT's like Paul S was. WHY does this team seem afraid to keep bigger guys on the DL?

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This front office is the Roddy Dangerfield of the NFL.  I'm still struggling to understand why it was a priority to cut Solia NOW with so many holes and the roster and no idea how the draft will play out. It reminds me of how we cut Joe Hawley and didn't have anybody who knew how to snap the ball. Fast forward 8 months we are paying 9.5 million a year for someone to fill the hole. 

Former Atlanta Falcons defense tackle Paul Soliai is signing a two-year, $7 million contract with the Panthers, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported, via a source involved in the deal. The new agreement calls for $3 million in guarantees and $4 million in the first year.

Edited by insight
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