DETROIT -- NFL teams can talk with agents during the three days before the start of free agency, but are expressly prohibited from coming to any kind of contractual terms, written or otherwise.

Yet two days before the start of free agency, ESPN reported the Miami Dolphins already had a deal in place for Ndamukong Suh. The report included the exact number of years, total dollars and guaranteed dollars.

That fueled rampant speculation that Miami could be hit with tampering charges. But the NFL has determined Miami did not violate its tampering rule, according to the Miami Herald.

Suh was selected second overall by the Lions in the 2010 draft and became a three-time first-team All-Pro in his five years here. The club tried earnestly to ink the defensive tackle to a new deal, including offering him a $102 million in the days leading up to free agency.

But ESPN reported on March 8 -- two days before teams were allowed to make offers to players -- that Suh had already agreed to a six-year, $114 million contract with Miami. And he would eventually sign a deal for those figures.

Teams are allowed to negotiate with agents during that three-day period before the start of free agency, but are prohibited from offering terms. The league issued a memo to such effect, reminding teams "it is impermissible for a club to enter into an agreement of any kind, express or implied, oral or written, or promises, undertakings, representations, commitments, inducements, assurances of intent or understandings of any kind concerning the terms or conditions of employment offered to, or to be offered to, any prospective Unrestricted Free Agent for inclusion in a Player Contract after the start of the new League Year."

The new league year didn't begin until 4 p.m. March 10, two days after the ESPN report.

The NFL launched an investigation into the Dolphins and other teams that may have violated the tampering rule, and told all 32 teams to keep phone records for review. But the league eventually cleared Miami of wrongdoing.

Detroit, for its part, said it would not pursue tampering charges, which may have factored into the league's decision.

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