Suh’s Dolphins deal bodes well for other free agents
Ndamukong Suh was a lock to be the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. That’s how the system is set up. On the relatively rare occasion an “A”-level free agent gets to the open market, rather than re-signing or getting saddled with the franchise tag, he’s going to get a deal that blows the doors off and resets the market going forward. In Suh’s case, that means a sixyear, roughly $114 million contract that includes $60 million in guarantees from the Miami Dolphins, who are two years removed from the infamous splurge that paid top dollar for receiver Mike Wallace and linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler. Suh isn’t Wallace, Ellerbe or Wheeler, who all may be cut or traded before he arrives. He isn’t Albert Haynesworth, whose seven-year, $100 million contract with the Washington Redskins six years ago remains the most glaring warning about freeagent excess foretelling failure. At his best, Suh is the baddest interior player on the planet – plenty worthy of resetting the market established by the eightyear, $108.8 million contract Houston Texans end J.J. Watt signed in September, even though Watt is the superior talent and more reliable person. The per-team salary cap has increased more than $20 million in the past two years, to a record $143.28 million in 2015. Toss in adjustments and unused cap carryover from last year, and teams on average have more than $6 million in extra cap space to spend. Minimum cash spending requirements under the 2011 collective bargaining agreement are going to start making an impact, too. The Dolphins aren’t among the nine teams below the floor as the new league year approaches Tuesday, but some of their expected competitors for Suh were. So, Suh is in position to accept an offer worth around $19 million a year – higher than all but a handful of NFL quarterbacks – at a position few evaluators consider a core spot like QB, left tackle or right end, his history of borderline or flat-out dirty play notwithstanding. The economic climate bodes well for DeMarco Murray, Julius Thomas, Jerry Hughes, Byron Maxwell and any number of other top free agents who frankly may not be as good at their jobs as Suh is at his, but figure to cash in as well. Per NFL Players Association records, teams entered the “negotiating” period that began Saturday with a combined $740 million in cap space. Four teams – the Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, New York Jets and Cleveland Browns – were at least $49 million below the cap. That’s serious spending power. And the fact the Raiders, Jets and Jaguars also are on the list of teams that must increase cash spending suggests the start of the signing period could exceed last year, when nearly $1.28 billion in contracts and over $578 million in guarantees were paid out on 91 contracts in the first 48 hours, per the NFLPA. Suh was going to get his money no matter what. No agent worth his 3% would take a penny less than the previous bar-setting deal. It just happened to come from a Dolphins team that, on the surface, was no sure bet to make a splash for the second time in three years. All eyes now turn to the teams that can and have to spend, and how they’ll deploy their resources now that the biggest-ticket item is spoken for.
McCourty returns to Pats
Teams in need of a safety will need to scratch the market’s top player off their wish lists. Devin McCourty is set to return to the New England Patriots without testing free agency. His agents both confirmed the news as well. The deal is for five years and $47.5 million, with $28.5 million guaranteed. McCourty has been one of New England’s most reliable players, starting every single contest he has played in his five seasons and missing only three games in that span. In a secondary that boasted corners Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner in 2014, McCourty’s athleticism and range helped the Patriot secondary become one of the best in the NFL. Including three postseason games, McCourty tallied 78 tackles, three interceptions, nine passes defended and one forced fumble. McCourty, 27, entered the league as a cornerback in the 2010 draft, when New England selected him 27th overall. A move to free safety in 2012, however, showcased McCourty’s versatility and helped establish him as one of the best play-makers at the position. Since then, McCourty has found a home at safety and was instrumental in the team’s charge to a championship in Super Bowl XLIX. In other news, Chip Kelly has found an ideal LeSean McCoy replacement in former San Francisco running back Frank Gore. The five-time Pro Bowler will sign with the Eagles and is expected to receive $7.5 million worth in guaranteed money the first two season when free agency opens on Tuesday. Gore, who turns 32 on May 14, is six years older than McCoy who was traded last week to the Buffalo Bills in a stunning move for linebacker Kiko Alonso. Gore has run for 1,036 or more yards in eight of his 10 seasons.