Dolphins' Ndamukong Suh: Never want to be part of defense that struggles

[DKphin]

DAVIE, Fla. -- The individual stats were there for Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in 2015 -- and so were the constant double-teams. Still, Suh registered 61 tackles and six sacks in his first season with Miami.
A big reason can be pinned on the overall performance of the Dolphins’ defense, as well as their 6-10 season. The Dolphins were ranked 25th in total defense and 28th against the run, which often made Suh an easy target. He missed the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2011.
“You never want to be part of a defense that struggles, no matter where you’re at,” Suh said while reflecting on last season. “I’ve been a part of struggling defenses before. I’ve been a part of great defenses, breaking records and different things of that nature. After having tasted success, you never want to see anything else. “For me -- and being seen as a leader and somebody with a vocal point -- I always really graded myself and my success off of how our team does, not individually.”
Suh and the Dolphins believe their defensive is trending in the right direction. Last year was chaotic as the team fired its head coach (Joe Philbin) and defensive coordinator (Kevin Coyle) just four games into the season. The Dolphins were in flux the rest of the year.
Enter new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. He is bringing a wide-nine scheme that is built on spreading out the defensive line and containing the outside run, which often plagued Miami last year when the team allowed 126.2 rushing yards per game.
Suh had some of his best years with the Detroit Lions playing in a similar scheme and knows it well.

http://espn.go.com/blog/miami-dolph...r-want-to-be-part-of-a-defense-that-struggles

 

[BlueUndertow]

Unfortunately the player next to Suh is hot garbage aka Earl Mitchell. And for depth you only have unproven Jordan Phillips.

I'm surprised and disappointed that the front office hasn't invested in any more help up front. Lack of depth is going to hurt you here.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[Wildbill3]

Unfortunately the player next to Suh is hot garbage aka Earl Mitchell. And for depth you only have unproven Jordan Phillips.

I'm surprised and disappointed that the front office hasn't invested in any more help up front. Lack of depth is going to hurt you here.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

you invest a second round pick in a guy, that's a huge investment. you invest 100 mil in a guy, that's a huge investment. How much more focus did you expect them to put on the dline? who out there was a scheme fit that was a FA that you think we should've pursued?

 

[Eesti]

you invest a second round pick in a guy, that's a huge investment. you invest 100 mil in a guy, that's a huge investment. How much more focus did you expect them to put on the dline? who out there was a scheme fit that was a FA that you think we should've pursued?

Considering Jordan Phillips was Mike T's pick, I'm not surprised. I just hope it isn't another case of the GM forcing a player down the coaches throats. If they don't bite as pups....

We could have and should have cut Earl and replaced him with someone like Ian Williams. I wanted "snacks" from NY but he got way overpaid like many players this year. The only problem is that I wanted to go back to a more traditional approach that worked well for us in the past. That is putting a 3 technique (Suh) with a 4-3 NT that can eat blocks and stuff the run. They, like Kevin Coyle, seem to favor the approach of having 2 up-field rushers at DT.

Another upgrade for Mitchell may have been Jaye Howard or even Suhs old teammate, Nick Fairley. They once formed the best tandem in football. He is still young and only got paid $3M. Here we are paying EM $3.5M this year with another $1M on the books.

As I have stated many times, Chris Jones may be the best chance. I really like him as a player and he has looked good thus far in practice.

 

[Fintastic2124]

Chris Jones is a guy I'm definitely going to be keeping an eye on in preseason. I really hope he shines.

 

[BlueUndertow]

you invest a second round pick in a guy, that's a huge investment. you invest 100 mil in a guy, that's a huge investment. How much more focus did you expect them to put on the dline? who out there was a scheme fit that was a FA that you think we should've pursued?

Terrance Knighton, maybe Nick Fairley

 

[Kdawg954]

Terrance Knighton, maybe Nick Fairley

Just names at this point. A 316 pound Jordan Phillips excites the hell out of me. Alot of versatility up front as well with multiple guys serving as poor man Jared Odrick's by being able to kick inside from a DE role.

I still think Deandre Coleman is a guy to watch. Loved him last year in preseason/camp. He put on some weight to potentially become that plugger.

 

[Wildbill3]

Terrance Knighton, maybe Nick Fairley

those are fan wishes, as for knighton, if we didn't pursue him, i'll take that as a head coaches call, seeing as how he was on the broncos at the same time as Gase. Nick fairley, maybe, but then maybe he had no desire to come here. This isn't madden, we can toss out who we'd like to the team to draft, and sign, but doesn't mean the coaches like the players we want, or even if they think they'd be a scheme fit, or a chemistry fit, or a salary fit.

 

[nyjunc]

Outisde of 2014 when det was ranked 2nd in total defense Suh has been anchoring struggling Ds.

2010: 21st
2011: 23rd
2012: 13th
2013: 16th
2015: 25th

average ranking of 20 minus the 2014 season. it's still 17th even w/ that #2 ranking in 2014.

 

[dlockz]

Outisde of 2014 when det was ranked 2nd in total defense Suh has been anchoring struggling Ds.

2010: 21st
2011: 23rd
2012: 13th
2013: 16th
2015: 25th

average ranking of 20 minus the 2014 season. it's still 17th even w/ that #2 ranking in 2014.

I do agree for most of his time there, the detroit defense was nothing special. His last year there was very good.
Now Im going to take a shower and wash Junc's cheeto dust off me

 

[BlueUndertow]

those are fan wishes, as for knighton, if we didn't pursue him, i'll take that as a head coaches call, seeing as how he was on the broncos at the same time as Gase. Nick fairley, maybe, but then maybe he had no desire to come here. This isn't madden, we can toss out who we'd like to the team to draft, and sign, but doesn't mean the coaches like the players we want, or even if they think they'd be a scheme fit, or a chemistry fit, or a salary fit.

We only have 3 DTs. If one is injured are you going to have the other two play 100% of the downs? You'd have to kick one of the ends inside and that's another case of playing out of position.

As for why either of those two weren't pursued (or were but we didn't hear about it), is the head scratcher for me.

 

[j-off-her-doll]

Outisde of 2014 when det was ranked 2nd in total defense Suh has been anchoring struggling Ds.

2010: 21st
2011: 23rd
2012: 13th
2013: 16th
2015: 25th

average ranking of 20 minus the 2014 season. it's still 17th even w/ that #2 ranking in 2014.

It's true, but most of those Detroit D's were horrendous. That Detroit D that was good in 2014 wouldn't have been anything to speak of without Suh. He destroyed that Dallas OL and made Martin look like Dallas Thomas. Detroit almost won the game. Suh can make a solid D good and a good D great, etc. No one can make a terrible D good. Not Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, or JJ Watt. Suh's not that kind of player, but that top-2 D wasn't a fluke for Suh - #1 Run D that year. It was just the only season he's played with an average or better supporting group.

 

[nyjunc]

It's true, but most of those Detroit D's were horrendous. That Detroit D that was good in 2014 wouldn't have been anything to speak of without Suh. He destroyed that Dallas OL and made Martin look like Dallas Thomas. Detroit almost won the game. Suh can make a solid D good and a good D great, etc. No one can make a terrible D good. Not Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, or JJ Watt. Suh's not that kind of player, but that top-2 D wasn't a fluke for Suh - #1 Run D that year. It was just the only season he's played with an average or better supporting group.

I wasn't bashing Suh who is a dominant force in this league.