Grading the Detroit Lions defensive starters.

It’s time for the defensive side of the ball!!!! If you missed the offensive side of the P.M.O.G.S. System, here’s the layout of how the system works:

There are five categories all with a 1-5 rating. 5 being the best 1 being the worst. A 25 would represent a perfect score. The categories are as follows:

Health: Grading the player’s ability to stay healthy and uninjured throughout the season.

Big Play: Grading the big play ability. By this I mean the player’s game changing ability.

Dependability: Grading the player’s ability to be depended upon in tough situations. Example being the Lions depend on Golden Tate in 3rd down situations.

Smart Play: Grading the player based on their mistakes or lack there of. Including penalties, turnovers, and rookie mistakes.

Impact: Grading the players overall impact on the team and it’s success.

Here we go…..

NDAMUKONG SUH

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) reacts to Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) during the first quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Health: Health has never been a problem for Suh (knock on wood) he has been able to maintain a healthy lifestyle and trains like no other in the offseason.

Grade: 5

Big Play: When it comes to big plays look no further than Ndamukong Suh. This season Suh was a force to be reckoned with. He manages to leave his mark on virtually every play on defense. He just has a knack of making the play when Lions most need it. However there were some misses along the way.

Grade:4

Dependability: The Lions depend on Suh to be the anchor of the defense. Every piece flows through him. He did not disappoint. In a contract year Suh put out a Pro Bowl year that included 53 tackles and 8.5 sacks. But unfortunately there were some harsh mistakes that will affect this grade and the  next one.

Grade: 4

Smart Play: This is where a lot of Lions will file their yearly Suh complaints. Once again this year Suh found himself in the NFL dog house. Whether it was going overkill on Josh Mccown or the infamous ankle stomp, Suh was in the headlines for being “dirty” While Suh was not fined for that hit on Mccown, he certainly   broke the bank with the latter of the two. It doesn’t matter which side of the fence you are on with Suh. The narrative is and will always be that he is dirty. I personally don’t find it true. But Suh sure does find a way to make the argument hard on Lions fans every year.

Grade:2.5

Impact: There is no question that Suh is the most impactful player on the Lions defense. Teams game plan specifically for Suh and still can’t find a way to stop him. He makes every guy on the defensive side of the ball better by being around. Want to argue that point? Go ahead. But don’t pretend  you don’t feel a horrible feeling in the pit of your stomach every time Suh and free agency are mentioned in the same sentence. The Lions need to do  whatever they have to do to keep Suh. Have a garage sale, take pop cans back to the store, mow Mrs. Bea’s yard, sell blood. Whatever it takes.

Grade:5

Overall grade: 20.5