Dolphins shuffle roster as Suh announcement looms

The Miami Dolphins' big splash in free agency is expected to be the official signing of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, but the first official announcements out of South Florida were related to clearing space for their big-ticket, free-agent pick-up.

The Dolphins released linebacker Philip Wheeler and guard Shelley Smith, according to the Miami Herald, while punter Brandon Fields restructured his contract, taking a pay cut after a down year in 2014.

Wheeler, whose release has been a foregone conclusion since the end of the season, was a disappointment on the field after signing a five-year, $26 million contract in 2013.

The release of back-up lineman Smith creates a bigger hole in an already weak area of the Dolphins' depth chart. The move suggests Miami's front office has a plan to address the interior offensive line, which was a liability in 2014.

Meanwhile, the team announced they re-signed linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, defensive tackle Derrick Shelby and safety Michael Thomas.

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