Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Ndamukong Suh is domination in the trenches, commanding double teams and making the team around him better and yes, the Detroit Lions losing Suh is a big hit to a defense that ranked 2nd in the NFL, but let’s not act like Suh is worth what he’s now getting paid in Miami.
Miami is getting a great talent, and when I say great – I mean Hall of Fame great, but the Lions losing Suh doesn’t put Detroit into mediocrity.
It doesn’t.
The mantra in Detroit is the Lions are doing what they always do, setting themselves up to fail. If this was the Lions of old they would’ve committed to paying a DT 114 million dollars and when I say that it’s not that I don’t like Suh or I think he’s not good.
It’s laughable to spend the money the Lions spent on Calvin and Stafford and if Suh came back, Lions wouldn’t be smart to commit the money to three players.
The Lions are not in the position to pay Suh the money, you could argue no team with the eye on winning would commit that much money on a defensive tackle.
The Lions with Suh had one top 10 defense, one and you can ask why or make assumptions it wasn’t because of Suh. The all around talent got better.
Lions Defensive Rankings By Year:
2009 – 32nd
2010 – 19th (First Year with Suh)
2011 – 23rd
2012 – 27th
2013 – 15th
2014 – 3rd
Even with Suh you cracked the top once, and that’s what Lions fans are crying over? Listen the Lions defense wasn’t as good as advertised if you watched film in one significant place they struggled was nickel corner, and teams attacked that spot over and over again.
You could go back to Terrance Williams in the playoff game, he dominated the Lions and the defensive line did all they could as a unit however the Lions weren’t strong enough as a team to be a Super Bowl caliber defense.
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Suh is a tremendous talent and most will argue you can’t replace a player like that, but tell me how teams win without Suh, Did the Patriots need Suh to win the Super Bowl? Did the Seahawks need Suh to win a Super Bowl? Did the Packers? Did the Saints? No.
Suh is a great talent, but do I believe he’s worth the 114M he’s getting paid in Miami? Nope, I don’t think the Dolphins will ever get the money they get in that deal, nor do I think they will win a Super Bowl.
The Lions are rumored to be moving to a 3-4 if Suh leaves, that fits Detroit because they’re deep at LB and DE, but even with news of Suh to Miami. Detroit isn’t thrilled with Suh’s decision.
Josina Anderson of ESPN reports
"A Lions team source to me on Suh: “[The Miami Dolphins & Ndamukong Suh] can’t finalize until Tuesday. We will hope he comes to his senses.” The source added, “key is playing for coach [Jim] Caldwell and Teryl [Austin]. Plus good players around him. Can’t get that there…”"
The Lions losing Suh isn’t a bad thing in the long-term, think of it signing Suh would hamper the Lions long-term, but in no way am I saying that losing Suh won’t hurt of course it will hurt. What it comes down to is do you have faith in the Lions front office, If you don’t you think losing Suh is terrible and if you’re a pessimist you think the Lions are fine without Suh regardless of what they do in Free Agency.
What it comes down to for the Lions is Martin Mayhew if he strikes out and misses the playoffs, he’s gone and I don’t think anyone can argue that. His drafts haven’t been great, he’s been good in free agency, but Detroit needs the Free Agents plus they need last years and this upcoming draft class to contribute.
The Lions offered Suh 17M to stay in Detroit and are still hoping he stays, but one thing is for certain,this off-season will test the Lions front office and if they’re any good they’ll manage to put a competitive team on the Football field if not in all likelihood they’ll pay with their jobs.