Phins still not using Suh correctly?

Months after signing a six-year, $114 million contract, the richest ever for a non-quarterback, Ndamukong Suh is on pace to produce the second-fewest sacks of his career, 23 fewer tackles than his rookie year and far fewer tackles for loss than last season.

Defensive tackle C.J. Mosley, Suh’s teammate in Miami and Detroit, says the Dolphins are using a defensive system nothing like the one Suh thrived in as a Lion. And some are questioning that.

“That Suh was an absolute non-factor [against New England] as an individual play-maker would have me all kinds of worried if I am Dolphins management,” ESPN’s Louis Riddick, the former Redskins and Eagles pro personnel director, said. “Neutralized vast majority of the game both run and pass by rookie draft picks, rookie free agents, vet nearing the end of his career.

“No way they ever get [the return on investment] on that signing. No. Way. Not with this scheme or this staff. You don’t pay $60 million guaranteed so you can say a defensive tackle drew double teams and that is what makes it worth it. That is dumb. You make that kind of investment, you better have replicated near every part of the environment he came from to the best of your ability. Otherwise, don’t pay the money.

“For $60 million guaranteed, I would have tried to hire his position coach, run his defensive line scheme, allowed him the same rush game freedom/responsibilities. You don’t fit [market-setting] UFAs into your scheme. You run the scheme that fits them or don’t take the risk.”

Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo made one change in how Suh is used: He’s wisely moving him around a bit more.

“Once you have a guy like that who can impact the game as well as he can, you want to put him in the right position; you’ve got to put your king in the right place,” said Mosley, who also played with Suh the past two years in Detroit. “He floats around a little bit [now] to get the matchup you want.”

But overall, Miami’s defense is “totally different than Detroit’s,” Mosley said. “The only thing that may be similar, maybe, is the way he rushes on third down. But we do things totally different than Detroit. Nothing the same.”

So perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that Suh is on pace for 4.5 sacks --- well below his 8.5 last season; 14 tackles for loss (well below his 21 last year) and 43 tackles (compared with 53 last year).

Suh, who had more sacks than any defensive tackle the past five seasons, is tied for ninth among d-tackles with two sacks this season and ranks 14th in tackles. In Suh’s defense, he’s drawing double teams which should, theoretically, free others to make plays. But some network voices aren’t impressed.

“Warren Sapp was the first one to [say], 'Just watch this. This guy is a very limited player. He gets a lot of hype for a lot of other things he shouldn't get hype for. Watch his tape,’” NFL Network’s Heath Evans told WQAM’s Marc Hochman last month.

“So two years ago, I started doing it. Playoff teams, the guy doesn't show up.... No awareness, no understanding of the scheme he's facing. Why do you think no legitimate, true Lombardi contender was after him in free agency? The Lions, who knew him better than anybody, weren't going to pay him what the Dolphins were. There was no one in that race for Suh except for the Dolphins.”