Dolphins Look To Reel In Ndamukong Suh
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
DAVIE (CBSMiami/AP) - The Miami Dolphins are hoping to reel in a big defensive catch when free agency begins on Tuesday.
Over the weekend Alain Poupart, of Dolphins.com, confirmed that team officials talked with Jimmy Sexton, agent for All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
Suh, 28, was the second overall selection in the 2010 NFL draft out of the University of Nebraska.
Monday morning, on the Joe Rose show on 560 WQAM Sports Radio--the talk turned to the prospects of free agent Suh signing with the Fins.
"Any time you can add better players and in this case maybe the best player on your team, you should be excited," said Rose.
Abel, a caller to the Joe Rose Show, was quite excited at the prospect himself.
"They finally did something that I'm excited about. I think this is a great move. I don't know how anybody could be upset," said Abel Monday morning.
The impact defensive tackle is expected to sign with the Dolphins for $114 million over six years-with 60 million guaranteed.
The deal would make Suh the highest paid defensive player in the NFL history.
"I think with the salary cap issued I wouldn't have done it personally. I don't think a defensive tackle is game changer that is going to propel us deep into the playoffs," said Stephen Morse.
Rose also voiced his doubts.
"You think he's worth $114 million? I don't know if anybody's worth that kind of money. That's a lot of money but if the Dolphins tell me it can work with their salary cap and they can still get the other players they need and they can figure this out on the draft I'm all for it."
A four-time Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro, Suh has racked up 239 combined tackles and recorded 36 sacks, 15 passes defended, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and an interception during his five seasons with the Detroit Lions. He has played and started in 78 of a possible 80 career games.
Suh has been fined several times for aggressive on-field behavior, and was nearly suspended for a playoff game last season.
"I'm not worried about him body slamming a quarterback, this is going to be good for the Miami Dolphins and good for the attitude of the defense. They need a toughness he'll bring it," Rose said.
Suh is an impact player who will help the Fins defense against both the run and pass.
"He's gonna bring that toughness he's gonna bring that nastiness. He plays a positions that you want him to be nasty with QB. He plays a position where you want him to go out there and beat somebody up," said Abel.
Miami began negotiating with Sexton on Saturday to hammer out the framework for a contract, but teams can't talk directly with players until Tuesday. Suh's multiyear contract is expected to reach nine figures and set a record for an NFL defensive player.
So far, no official word from the team on their free agent picks.
"A lot of moves are being made with the team and with free agent in the draft coming up I'm excited about the prospects that we have," Tannehill said.
Suh, whose contract with the Detroit Lions is expiring, has been hailed by many as the best free agent defensive player in a generation. He's a three-time first-team All-Pro pick, including the past two seasons.
The Lions and Oakland Raiders were among other teams bidding for Suh. But the Dolphins were eager to upgrade an aging defense, and they released five veterans in the past 10 days to create more salary cap space.
An aggressive approach in free agency is nothing new for Dolphins billionaire owner Stephen Ross. The Dolphins signed their top priorities each of the past two years — receiver Mike Wallace in 2013, and left tackle Branden Albert in 2014.
Even with those additions, the Dolphins went 8-8 each of the past two years. They haven't made the playoffs since 2008.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
