Dolphins Place Franchise Tag On Soliai
MIAMI (CBS4) - If Fins fans were worried nose tackle Paul Soliai would leave the team as a free agent, those worries have been calmed. The Miami Dolphins placed the franchise tag on Soliai Thursday, according to NFL.com.
The Dolphins have been trying to work out a long-term deal with Soliai, but those negotiations haven't produced a contract for Soliai.
The franchise tag for nose tackles means Soliai will at least get a one-year contract with the Dolphins worth around $12.5 million. That means in one year, Soliai's salary increased 25 fold from his 2010 salary of $467,000.
Soliai's agent said they want a contract extension exceeding the 5-year, $20.5 million contract given to Randy Starks in 2008.
While that may sound steep, in a 3-4 defense, there's a premium for 6'4", 355 pound nose tackles who love to stop the run.