Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei doesn't say much. So when Paul Soliai — a fellow defensive tackle, Polynesian and Utah Ute — was looking for a new team this past week, it's not like Lotulelei picked up the phone with a recruiting pitch.
But Lotulelei can play, and the Polynesian connection didn't hurt.
"Only difference between [us] are Tongan and Samoan, but mostly all Polynesians are related," Soliai joked Tuesday on a conference call with Carolina reporters shortly after he signed a two-year contract. "I texted him today and last night about how excited I am to train with him and be part of this team.
"It's a place I can come and play with one of my guys that's been an idol when he was coming out of college, so it's a pleasure for me to come in and play with him."
Typically, 'idol' is a word used by younger guys, but Soliai left Utah six years before Lotulelei. The college ties helped the two get to know each other, and a season after the Panthers used their first-round pick on Lotulelei, the Falcons signed Soliai away from Miami with a 5-year, $32 million contract.
Soliai lost playing time last year when new head coach Dan Quinn installed a 4-3 defense. After Soliai's least productive season since 2008, the Falcons asked him to take a pay cut. He didn't, leading to his release last week.
"I think I did fit the system," Soliai said. "Last year was just a different way that they treated it.
"I know I'm going to do a lot better over here than I did in Atlanta."
The Panthers, like the Falcons, run an attacking 4-3 defense. But when Soliai became available, they pounced.
"Paul gives us a veteran presence, and I think his experience most certainly will add to what we have already with Kawann (Short) and Star. I think he'll be a good complement to them both," coach Ron Rivera said. "He's a solid run-defending big man, and at the same time he's a guy that can push the pocket and apply middle pressure on the quarterback. I also think his space-eating ability will allow our linebackers to run."
At 6-foot-4, 345 pounds, Soliai is the heaviest player on the Panthers' roster. He's also the third-oldest, and the 32-year-old acknowledged this 10th season could be the final year of his career.
So in this, his third and likely final NFL stop, Soliai's accepting of a backup role. He mostly just wants to have fun again. Having one of his "brothers" on the same defensive line should help.
"It’s just like playing with your friends in the backyard playing football," Soliai said. "That’s what I see that they have — out there executing the plays and having fun at the same time. The brotherhood they had, I could tell just talking to Star and the chemistry they had, too. It’s something I want to be a part of."