Miami Dolphins sign star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh

The Miami Dolphins made a major upgrade to their defensive line today, as the team announced that it had signed unrestricted free agent and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to a six-year contract.

“I am very happy to announce that the Miami Dolphins have signed Ndamukong Suh,” said Dolphins General Manager Dennis Hickey. “Adding a player of Ndamukong’s caliber was certainly a priority for the organization for the contributions he can make on and off the field. He is an elite and durable player in his prime who can impact the game in a variety of ways. His skill, work ethic and mindset will add to our strong core and help strengthen not only our defense, but the entire team.”

The 6-4, 305-pound Suh is a powerful and athletic force in the trenches who instantly will improve the Dolphins' run defense and interior pass rush.

Suh spent the past five seasons (2010-14) with the Detroit Lions where he started all 78 games in which he played, and recorded 238 tackles (179 solo), 36 sacks, one interception, 15 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. His 36 sacks since entering the NFL in 2010 are the most among defensive tackles.

Additionally, Suh is a four-time Pro Bowl selection (2010, 2012-14), four-time first-team All-Pro (2010-11, 2013-14), and was second-team All-Pro in 2012. He was also named AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2010.

In 2014, Suh started all 16 games and recorded 53 tackles (44 solo), 8.5 sacks, and three passes defensed. He also added 21 tackles for loss which was the third most in the NFL. Originally, Suh was selected in the first round (2nd overall) in the 2010 NFL draft.

Suh also has his share of baggage however, as he has been scrutinized and punished by NFL officials for several controversial -- some might say dirty -- plays on the field.  Despite that history, the Dolphins are confident that the talent of Suh will outweigh any occasional lapse in judgment on his part.

“There are not many opportunities to be able to add a player of Ndamukong’s talent and this certainly is an exciting moment for the organization,” added Executive Vice President of Football Operations Mike Tannenbaum. “It took many people to be able to accomplish this signing and we’re thrilled to bring Ndamukong to the Miami Dolphins.”

Suh played collegiately at Nebraska where he received many accolades, including being named a Unanimous All-American, All Big-12 Conference first team, AP College Player of the Year, Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year as well as one of five finalists for the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first finalist as a defensive tackle since 1994.

In addition to Suh's deal, the Dolphins also signed unrestricted free agent cornerback Brice McCain to a two-year contract today.

“I would like to welcome cornerback Brice McCain to the Miami Dolphins,” said Hickey. “Brice is a talented player who will fit right into the secondary and his experience will help add to that unit.”

The 5-9, 187-pound McCain joins Miami after spending the 2014 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers following a five-year stint with the Houston Texans (2009-13). In his career, he has appeared in 86 games with 19 starts and recorded 130 tackles (104 solo), 0.5 sacks, eight interceptions returned for 190 yards, including two returned for touchdowns, 39 passes defensed and one fumble recovery.

In 2014 with Pittsburgh, McCain played in 14 games with nine starts and tallied 25 tackles (16 solo), three interceptions returned for 56 yards, including one for a touchdown, six passes defensed and the first fumble recovery of his career. He also started in the team’s Wild Card meeting vs. Baltimore and notched six tackles (five solo) in the contest.

McCain played collegiately at Utah where he saw action in 49 games with 39 starts. He was originally a sixth-round selection (188th overall) of Houston in the 2009 NFL draft.

The Dolphins also released defensive tackle Randy Starks today.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services