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Lions coach Jim Caldwell: Re-signing Ndamukong Suh is top priority

Lions head coach Jim Caldwell says that re-signing All-Pro defensive end Ndamukong Suh will be a top priority of the team in the offseason
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Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell says that re-signing All-Pro defensive end Ndamukong Suh will be a top priority of the team in the offseason.

If the Lions apply the franchise tag on Suh for next season, it will cost the team $26.7 in salary, with $9.7 million of dead money on their salary cap. Suh, 28, is expected to hit the free agent market in March.

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"That will continue to be one of our highest priorities," Caldwell said. "That's going to be addressed constantly here until we come to some conclusion."

Suh had 53 total tackles and 8.5 sacks for Detroit, who had the league’s best run defense this season. Suh earned his fourth Pro Bowl selection this season. He also was named first-team All-Pro for the fourth time in his career.

"There's no question about it," Caldwell said. "He's a dominant, dominant player who we benefit greatly from having his services. He's a tremendous asset to our team, and I'll leave it at that."

In his five seasons, Suh, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, has 36 sacks but also has been fined more than $200,000 for various player-safety violations.

- Scooby Axson