Carolina Panthers: Report – Paul Soliai Signed
The Carolina Panthers have filled a hole on their defensive line depth by adding Paul Soliai.
The Carolina Panthers have been guided by the hand of David Gettleman for a couple of years now. The priorities have been opening up cap space and stocking the defensive line. Oh, Gettleman would like to stock the offensive line as well but the money situation kept him in the business of looking at cast-offs and unappreciated players.
The defensive line has always been key for Panthers success. Gettleman came from the New York Giants organization which always believed in stocking the defensive line in their Super Bowl seasons. So when the Panthers had an absence of defensive tackles after the cutting of Dwan Edwards, it was unlikely that hole was going to stay there very long.
Edwards was 34 and probably on the old side for his position. The guy who will be taking his place is a couple years younger and a few pounds heavier. That player would be Paul Soliai, according to reports from Soliai’s agent.
Soliai is listed at 345 pounds which reminds me of Maake Kemeoatu when he was with the Panthers. He adds another Utah lineman to the fold, joining Star Lotulelei. He is 31 years and is under contract for two years for $7 million total.
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Soliai was part of the Falcons last year, so this is another example of signing away players from divisional rivals. He was a Pro Bowler back in 2011, and his primary task is run stuffing. It is another bargain deal for Gettleman, who most likely is not done with the defensive line yet.
The Draft should shape up interestingly for the Panthers since that is where the answers seem to lie for some of these things. Defensive end? Draft. Offensive tackle? Draft. Secondary help? Draft.
In other news we can end the Eric Weddle watch. Weddle signed a four year $26 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. That tells me that Gettleman is being very careful with his money this off season.