Two ways to improve.
Firstly, and with regard to your oppo...
YOU SAY...i see him as solid and good
YOUR BUDDY THEN SAYS...he is a regular stealer
NEXT...YOU GET INTO A POT WITH HIM AND YOU SAY...i see him stealing
There is a bit of conflict there and so sticking to your own personal instincts on any given day is better.
Secondly, in this tournament situation and with the chips you have there is really no need to enter pots passively. As a first choice you want to open the betting yourself and take down small pots uncontested. Your tight image will make this a doddle and you will be able to edge forwards without jeopardising your position. In this hand you do indeed have position and chip power so if you "smell" weakness then USE these weapons to bump it up pre-flop. Seeing flops, playing down the streets and getting involved deep into a hand is not something that you need to do right now...so why do it?