Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The story of the Miami Dolphins’ defense in 2014 was sad, but true. It was about a once proud run-stopping unit that the Dolphins’ fans appreciated. But eventually opposing rushers got the better of the Dolphins. That should all stop this season because rival rushers will have to keep away from Ndamukong Suh.
Suh signed a historically high priced contract during the first week of the NFL’s free agent period. It will be hard for Suh to live up to the price of his contract. What matters is if he can carry the load for the rebuilt Dolphins’ defensive line.
Miami was playing well on defense for most of the year until a Week 12 meltdown in Colorado. The Denver Broncos dashed through the Dolphins’ line like it was a non-contact practice drill. In each subsequent week, Miami’s Hoover Dam of a defensive line cracked and gallons of water rushed through. Veterans Randy Starks and Jared Odrick were two of the best Miami players on the line, but both were allowed to sign elsewhere this March. It will now be up to Suh to pick up much of that slack. Earl Mitchell will help Suh plug up the middle in Miami’s 4-3 front, but the Dolphins are hoping that the former Nebraska Cornhusker will be able to do it himself.
Miami’s opponents will likely have to use two blockers to account for Suh’s sizable talents, so that should help free Mitchell and backups Anthony Johnson, Jordan Phillips, Kamal Johnson and A.J. Francis to make more great plays. Suh’s presence should also make it easier for defensive ends Cameron Wake, Olivier Vernon and Derrick Shelby to sack quarterbacks more frequently.
Not only will Suh help his mates up front, but he should provide aid for an ailing linebacker corps. The Dolphins have been searching for solid linebacker play for a few seasons, and one way to make up for a lack of talent in that group is to have a dominant defensive lineman eating up blockers. The biggest winner of the Suh sweepstakes may have been middle linebacker Koa Misi who should now have freedom to roam in more open space while Ndamukong is nagging offensive linemen.
Suh’s impact doesn’t stop at the second line of defense either. It is no secret that the Dolphins can use a better effort from their secondary. Miami has added depth at cornerback with the additions of Brice McCain, Bobby McCain and Zack Bowman to battle incumbents Jamar Taylor and Will Davis for the starting spot opposite Brent Grimes. A healthy Louis Delmas starting with Reshad Jones should form a strong safety combination. Suh will allow those defensive backs to play receivers tighter because he will force enemy quarterbacks to throw the ball sooner.
Speaking of quarterbacks, there is one playing for the New England Patriots who should be scared when he thinks about staring down Suh twice this season. The best way to make Tom Brady mortal is to rush him up the middle and not allow him to sidestep the would-be sacker and fire a perfect pass to someone. Miami has not had such a pass rushing force from the middle of the interior line during Brady’s career. If Brady can’t stand back and pick the Dolphins apart, there is a chance they can sweep the Super Bowl champions. Watching the Dolphins beat up Brady would be anything, but deflating.
