Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Miami signs top free agent Suh

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The free agency frenzy, trading outbreak and stunning retirement­s of the first day of the NFL’s business year gave way to one headliner Wednesday: Ndamukong Suh.

Miami signed the All-Pro defensive tackle and top prize in this year’s free agent crop to a $114 million, six-year contract. It made Suh the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, surpassing J.J. Watt’s $100 million, six-year deal with Houston.

They expect him to plug the line against the run, and threaten — and sack — quarterbac­ks.

“I’m excited about the pressure,” Suh said, referring not to the pass rush but to the expectatio­ns that come with such a contract. “I don’t necessaril­y look at it as pressure. I look at it as something I’m built for.

“This is the ultimate team sport. There’s no way I can do it by myself. I want to be a cornerston­e. At the same time our quarterbac­k is going to be a cornerston­e, Ryan Tannehill, who I have a lot of respect for: No. 1 because he has taken my hits.”

They played each other last season, a 20-16 Detroit victory.

Suh, the second overall pick in 2010, had 36 sacks in five seasons in Detroit, including 8½ in 2014. His presence should boost the performanc­es of ends Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon, who have combined for 38 sacks in the past two seasons.

“To get a player of Ndamukong’s stature says a lot about our organizati­on,” director of football operations Mike Tannenbaum said. “The fact he chose us speaks volumes about our organizati­on, our chance to win and the foundation that has been laid here.”

Miami also released veteran defensive tackle Randy Starks.

While Suh was leaving the NFC North, one of the prime offensive tackles on the market was staying there.

Green Bay re-signed right tackle Bryan Bulaga, ensuring that the NFL’s highest-scoring team will keep its entire offense intact for 2015. The deal is believed to be for five years and $34 million, with an $8 million signing bonus.

Days before Bulaga came back, the Packers re-signed receiver Randall Cobb.

Some second-tier quarterbac­ks were on the move Wednesday.

The Jets acquired Ryan Fitzpatric­k from Houston, and he was replaced there by Brian Hoyer.

Fitzpatric­k, 32, is expected to push Geno Smith for the starting job with New York. He reunites with Chan Gailey, who coached Fitzpatric­k in Buffalo and is the Jets’ new offensive coordinato­r.

The Jets also signed guard James Carpenter, who won a Super Bowl with Seattle.

There was one retirement, by cornerback Cortland Finnegan, which was expected — as opposed to Tuesday’s retirement­s of three players in their primes: Patrick Willis, Jake Locker and Jason Worilds.

In other moves Wednesday:

Chicago agreed to terms with linebacker Pernell McPhee on a five-year contract. McPhee played behind Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil in Baltimore and had 71/ sacks last season.

“I wanted to come and be a part of bringing that tradition back,” McPhee said of the Monsters of the Midway, who haven’t been too monstrous of late. “You know, a hard-nosed-playing defense, play with violence, play with an attitude, play with a swag. Just go out there and dominant the game.”

Cincinnati refortifie­d its offensive line by re-signing guard Clint Boling and offensive tackle Eric Winston, the president of the players’ union.

Tampa Bay released defensive end Michael Johnson, an expensive free agent the Bucs added last year, and tackle Anthony Collins. They also agreed to a four-year, $20.5 million deal with linebacker Bruce Carter.

St. Louis traded with Houston for backup quarterbac­k Case Keenum and also re-signed tight end Lance Kendricks.

Minnesota re-signed DT Tom Johnson, who had 61/ sacks in 2014, and added quarterbac­k Shaun Hill to back up Teddy Bridgewate­r.

New England added to its receiving group by signing Brandon Gibson and Kevin Dorsey and re-signing Brian Tyms.

Oakland bulked up its defense with defensive tackle Dan Williams and linebacker Curtis Lofton.

Philadelph­ia added cornerback Walter Thurmond III on a one-year contract.

Tennessee agreed to terms with WR Harry Douglas and signed safety Da’Norris Searcy.

Washington signed defensive lineman Stephen Paea.

 ?? AP/J. PAT CARTER ?? All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (right) joined the Miami Dolphins and team owner Stephen Ross (left) on Wednesday. Suh was the top prize in this year’s free agent pool.
AP/J. PAT CARTER All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (right) joined the Miami Dolphins and team owner Stephen Ross (left) on Wednesday. Suh was the top prize in this year’s free agent pool.

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