He is a polarizing figure in Detroit and to the NFL these days, it’s a hot button topic filled with buzzwords, hashtags, and shots fired by fans and critics. Some would even ask how fans can be so critical of their best defensive player? Simple answer, Detroit is hungry, the fan base is starving and needs their fix. I’m not going to go all anti-Suh with the off the field stuff, in fact he has been well behaved and very charitable. I don’t even mind the $200,000 plus in fines he has attained over his career as he hasn’t had a negative effect in terms of penalties. This is about whether the Detroit Lions should want more for their money? I say yes and so should the fans.
There is no doubt that Mr. Ndamukong Suh is a top 5 player at his position. Nobody is questioning his ability to train and come to camp in shape, the question is whether or not he is worth the trouble. Where does it stop for the Detroit Lions? What can they honestly afford to pay a defensive tackle at the end of the day? He is going to cost Detroit north of $22 million dollars this year and it is not his fault, he was a team player in pushing money back to help the team in the past. The problem that has come to the forefront is that now it’s time to get a new deal done with Mr. Suh and he seems to be everywhere but with his team. From the firing of his agent, to the long process of hiring a new one, the opening of free agency came and went with no deal in sight. Before we know it the Lions will be in season and are you comfortable with Suh playing for the Lions and leaving for nothing at year’s end?
Here’s the thing for Lions fans, you have to look past 2014. Win now is fodder for fans plus what else is the Ford Family going to say? We are still rebuilding… that doesn’t sell tickets. If you can’t see this is a team bending over backwards to accommodate Suh, I just ask that you take his jersey off and see? What can you afford to pay a DT in today’s game? What playoff team last season paid a defensive tackle Suh’s money? Ok the Bengals with Geno Atkins got a 5 year extension worth $55 million. But wait, Atkins was lost to injury. Maybe you’re thinking Vincent Wilfork with the Patriots, he signed a 3-year $23 million dollar deal. Justin Smith a 3-year $16 million dollar deal. Suh’s base salary is $12.5 million per. In truth, most of the stud interior rushers and DT’s missed the playoffs, Baltimore’s Ngata, Buffalo’s Williams, St. Louis’ Langford, Houston’s Watt, Dallas’ Hatcher, Miami’s Starks, Tampa’s McCoy. In fact, according to advanced NFL analytics’ WPA stat of the top 10 DT’s in the league only two made the playoffs. That would be KC’s Dontari Poe and Frisco’s Justin Smith.
Still think defensive tackle can’t be replaced?
Suh last season had 5.5 sacks, ranked 6th in pressure percentage per snaps among DT’s, 6 pass deflects, 6 stuffs, 17 QB hits, 9 tackles for losses and truth be told if you looked at his numbers on a scale they would trend down, all that to go with workouts and offseason OTA’s he feels he doesn’t have to attend. Nor has he ever. So why does this rub some Detroit fans the wrong way? More important, how can fans defend it? You invest time into the Lions, pay them money via tickets and gear. My time is valuable, I’m betting yours is too. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a little more for your cost of being a fan.
To be honest with you Suh is a losing football player in the NFL that can’t win football games alone, DT isn’t even a position that can carry a team. It’s not fair to ask or expect Suh to be something he isn’t. Defensive tackle isn’t a cornerstone position in football, there is a premium on guys who touch the football. It’s not personal, it’s business and it’s about 2014 and beyond. Not taking a shot in 2014 with a team that hasn’t even shown to be close and fall apart. No one will argue QB is the most important position in football, you either have one or are looking for one. Everything else is built off that. You have the left tackle to protect the quarterback’s blindside and on defense the rush end to destroy QB’s from the blindside. Also you have the shutdown cornerback to take away the entire one side of the field. Sure defensive tackle is important as is any position but not at the price Suh is going to command and not at the price of a QB or DE may ask for.
To bottom line it, Detroit is dying for a leader on this team, and frankly Suh is the only Lion with the ability to hold guys accountable, but how do you hold guys accountable if you’re not there? You can’t. Suh is the type of player that changes the game and if he spoke teammates would listen. Every other Lions’ captain felt it important to be there. Perception is reality. Sack numbers are falling and you’ve never shown up for a workout, change it up. Nick Fairley, teach him how to rally and show his team how to form a foundation (Warren Sapp NFL Network/ Super Bowl Champion)
If Ndamukong Suh gets a deal done by the season or during, then all is forgiven. It’s the process and history of the Lions that keeps fans waiting for more bad news. Whether it’s a retirement or winless season to experiencing collapses the last two seasons. If you don’t understand a Lions’ fan’s skepticism you only need to read the last sentence over. If Suh signs a Geno Atkins type deal most of Detroit will be happy. But if the Lions end up paying out a ridiculous Albert Hanyesworth type deal of 7-years and $100 million then oh boy, stay away from talk radio and the internet for a while. Sign a deal paying Suh that kinda of money and the fear Lions fans have with losing Suh will be a reality as soon as 2015 with the cap hits they will have. How do you pay Nick Fairley if he deserves a new deal? How do you fill in the gaps in free agency? (I’m not saying sign the biggest and best FA, but a solid need or 2 ). Do you let Rob Sims and Raiola walk? In 2016 Levy, Broyles, Bentley, Reiff, Fauria all are up. Reiff will only get pricier and what if Bentley or Broyles are still healthy and show they need a contract. Inside two years of a Suh’s mega deal there is a solid chance the Lions stand to lose 5 starters and potentially 6. Do you see the dilemma now? Plus with what I’ve shown with playoff teams last year does it pay off to pay a DT? Never mind your No. 90 jersey in the closet or your Suh shirt from the Mejier sports gear department. Even worse Detroit gets left holding the check when the party is over and Suh walks as a free agent after the season.
Here’s quote from Mark Schlereth on 680 The Fan Atlanta
Successful teams have either an elite or an outstanding player at the four cornerstone positions: quarterback, left offensive tackle, defensive end, and cornerback.
The reasons are obvious for these position choices. Defensive ends can get to the QB and force him into throws that can be defended by the cornerbacks. If you can stop the pass in the NFL today, you will be successful.
Having a franchise quarterback is all too important. You don’t have to have a top-3 quarterback to win, however the point was made that you need to have an elite or near elite QB to be successful. And blocking for the quarterback, especially from the blindside, is crucial. A very good left tackle is a must-have for any team expecting contention.
