When the Miami Dolphins gave Ndamukong Suh the largest contract ever for a defensive player in free agency, it was with the expectation that Suh would elevate the defense from a unit that wound up in the middle of the pack last season to one of the best in the league. Suh would be a monster on the interior and, because he requires so much attention from blockers, free up the rest of the defense to make plays in one-on-one situations.
Two weeks into the season, things have not exactly gone to plan. Only nine teams have allowed more total yards than the Dolphins. The run defense, expected to be a big strength considering the talent along the defensive line and Suh's particular brand of penetration, has been dreadful. Miami is 27th in rush yards allowed through two weeks.
One reason for this, according to a report from Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, is that Suh has been disregarding play calls from defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle and instead freelancing on his own:
The same could be said for the Dolphins’ defense, which is somehow worse with Ndamukong Suh than it was without him in 2014.
A big reason why: Suh, who for the second straight week was a nonfactor, strayed from Kevin Coyle’s script.
The Miami Herald has learned that Suh freelanced at times Sunday, creating confusion on the defense. By taking matters into his own hands, the Dolphins’ $114 million man took a bad situation and made it worse.
“I couldn’t tell you,” Suh said, when asked to explain his uninspired play. “At the end of the day, we have to go back to the drawing board and figure out what we want to run so guys can make plays and go from there.”
This is a thing that happens on occasion in the NFL, but a massive free-agent signing being the one to do it -- and then not making plays when he does -- makes it a slightly bigger issue. It's one thing to break play calls if you're blowing up the other team in the backfield. But if you're putting yourself out of position based on the play call and not making tackles -- which is what's happening with Suh so far this season -- it's time to re-examine some things.
