Martin Mayhew shouldn’t wait on Suh if he tests FA
By Joe Chapp
The Detroit Lions offseason is slow, bleak and nothing has happened, expect that to change this week when the Lions are put on a deadline to franchise Suh, but the Lions shouldn’t wait.
Martin Mayhew shouldn’t put all his eggs in the basket for Suh, and if a contract isn’t done by the time free agency opens he needs to look at other options.
Do I believe the Lions are a Super Bowl contender by just adding Suh? No, I don’t.
Suh is a huge part of the Lions defense, no doubt about that however how have teams like Seattle, New England and Green Bay win without a player like Suh? The money is spread throughout the team.
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Among the major concerns the Lions face is the depth around the team. You seen it last year as the Lions lost their two nickel corners and struggled all season at that position.
Detroit’s GM Martin Mayhew needs to do his best this off-season and it needs to reflect on the field. Last season wasn’t what the GM of the Lions hoped it was a bad year, as the rookies he selected were minimal in the Lions progression and I expect players like Ebron, Van Noy and Swanson to be key to this years Lions team.
There’s been reports that if the Lions don’t lock up Suh they’ll switch to the 3-4 defense, while it’s questioned why they would learn a new scheme DC Teryl Austin is used to it as they ran the same system in Baltimore.
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The pressing needs of the Lions are very known, they need help in the secondary mainly at the nickel, do they re-sign the aging Rashean Mathis? The questions raised aren’t known what the Lions GM wants, but the Lions need to be proactive this off-season if they sit back and wait for Suh to come back home like the lost puppy.
We have a major problem.
So what can the Lions do if Suh can’t be signed?
Free Agents to Target:
Darelle Revis CB:
Pipe dream, likely ending up in New England if they find the money. However one would think to replace Suh with a great player in Revis would be a great addition depending on the price.
Terrence Knighton DT:
Knighton is reported by some sources by wanting 7 Million a year, is it wise to pay a soon to be 29-year-old 7 million a year? Now Knighton has clear demands he wants to play for a winner, because “Losing sucks” – can the Lions live up to his demands?
Darnell Dockett DT:
Dockett is 33 years old soon to be 34, he’s coming off an ACL injury and could likely come cheap, Lions would be taking a risk with the defensive tackle – no doubt.
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In the grand scheme the team signing Dockett is taking a big risk depending on the money related to the contract.
Jared Odrick DT:
Odrick is a good player can he be a player who can fill the void of maybe no Suh? That’s not likely. Odrick had 29 combined tackles last year. That’s not good, but can he rebound is the question?
Nick Fairley DT:
If Suh leaves I expect Nick to be back, no doubt he’s a good player, Suh said it himself that Fairley is just as good, but Fairley hasn’t stayed healthy and if Fairley commands a big pay day, you’re really taking a big risk financially and on the field.
Antonio Cromartie CB:
Cromartie is a player who has a lot of intrigue he played good last year and depending on his contract could really help this Lions team on the other side of Slay.
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Nobody knows what Cromartie will command, but it’s a place Detroit should look if Suh leaves.
Other Players Detroit should look at:
Brandon Meriwether, Byron Maxwell, LaRon Landry, Devin McCourty and Perish Cox.
What to look for in the next week?
If the Lions or Suh don’t reach a deal before Free Agency, it’s likely that Suh is gone. It’s not wise to think that a team won’t throw stupid money at Suh in efforts to lure him to their team. Oakland and Jacksonville have been named as teams in the running for Suh.
No matter what the job of GM Martin Mayhew will be tested this offseason as he needs to put an even better product on the field than next year.
Next: Crazy but maybe worth it pick ups for the Detroit Lions?