BY NICK ST. DENIS
As the offseason progressed, it slowly became clear that longtime defensive line stalwart Paul Soliai would not be with the Miami Dolphins beyond 2013.
It became official Tuesday, when Soliai signed a five-year, $33 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons which includes $14 million guaranteed, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
There he'll be reunited with Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, who held the same position in Miami from 2010 to 2011.
The 30-year-old defensive tackle is expected to receive $11 million this season. The Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins made verbal offers in the range of $5.5 million, obviously not close to the price Soliai ultimately commanded.
Soliai served as the anchor for the Dolphins mostly dominant run defense since becoming a starter in 2010. His longtime partner in the middle of the defense, Randy Starks, is also expected to latch on elsewhere after receiving tepid interest from Miami.
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