Miami has advantage to sign Suh

The Miami Dolphins have pulled ahead in the Ndamukong Suh sweepstakes, and their lead may be insurmountable.

The Dolphins were privately optimistic Sunday that they would seal a deal with the All-Pro defensive tackle shortly after free agency begins Tuesday. Suh’s multiyear contract is expected to reach nine figures and set a record for an NFL defensive player.

Miami began negotiating with Suh’s agent Saturday to hammer out the framework for a contract, but teams can’t talk directly with players until Tuesday.

Suh and his agent didn’t respond to messages from the AP seeking comment.

Suh, whose contract with the Detroit Lions is expiring, has been hailed by many as the best free-agent defensive player in a generation. He’s a three-time first-team All-Pro pick, including the past two seasons.

The Lions and Oakland Raiders were among other teams bidding for Suh.

Suh has 36 sacks in five seasons, including 81/2 in 2014, when the Lions made the playoffs.

Eagles reportedly have deals with Gore and Maxwell

Two people familiar with the moves say five-time Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore and cornerback Byron Maxwell have agreed to contracts with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Gore leaves San Francisco for a three-year deal that reportedly includes $7.5 million guaranteed.

Maxwell, who started 17 games for Seattle over the last two seasons, is looking at five years and $54 million with $25 million guaranteed.

Quick kicks

LeSean McCoy’s agent confirmed that his client has negotiated a $40 million five-year contract with Buffalo that will make him the NFL’s highest-paid running back. McCoy, who had three years left on his previous contract, will make $16 million this season and earn a guaranteed $26.5 million. … Indianapolis has agreed to a contract with longtime Eagles guard Todd Herremans.