Ndamukong Suh And The Detroit Lions Lack Leadership

Nov 28, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) after a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. Detroit Lions defeated the Green Bay Packers 40-10. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

New coach, New coaching staff, New direction from ownership…..same old Lions.

In case you have been living under a rock then you know that Ndamukong Suh has chosen to skip the Detroit Lions voluntary workouts this week. Yes the workouts are voluntary bu all the other Lions players have chosen to attend and learn the system being installed by new head coach Jim Caldwell so why not Suh?

Seems like a no-brainer to show up for a team meeting considering the recent transition, even though it is voluntary. But Suh doesn’t see it that way. There has been no sign of Ndamukong Suh since the workouts began and more disturbing yet is that the Lions wont take a hard-line on Suh’s absence.

Traditionally the leader of an NFL team is the quarterback but Matthew Stafford refused to call out Suh saying only that he expects his to “be in shape” when regular mini camps start in July.

President Tom Lewand started to take a hard-line but refused to name Ndamukong Suh specifically saying only that Allen Park was the best place for a NFL player to improve.

"“When you talk about a player being able to prepare to be the best he can possibly be, I am a firm believer that the absolute best place in the country — in the world — to get better as a Detroit Lion is 222 Republic Drive,” Lewand said, referring to the team’s practice facility, during a town-hall style meeting with season ticket holders on Monday night at Ford Field.”"

Then Lewand seemed almost apologetic for Ndamukong Suh’s absence by noting that Suh’s personal trainers visited the Allen Park facility in the offseason.

Jim Caldwell also seemed to take a hard-line but stopped short of calling out Suh.

"“Obviously from a coaching standpoint, we do this for a living, and we’d like to have him for every minute of every day — every single player, as often as we possibly can just to get our system in place,” Caldwell told the crowd of season-ticket holders."

Suh’s absence, especially considering his status as captain, could mean trouble for a team trying to develop a consistent winning approach.  Although Ndamukong Suh is not in violation of his contract by skipping involuntary workouts, he is in violation of his “contract” as team captain. If Ndamukong Suh can’t see that as a problem then it may be best for the Lions to send a message by naming another captain even if it puts his contract negotiations in jeopardy,