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Lions don't tag Ndamukong Suh

They didn't franchise him because of the cost. Because they restructured his contract several times, and pushed money forward (like we tend to do), it pushed the franchise tag cost WAY up. It would have cost them 26m in cap space for this year, there was no guarantee he would sign a long term deal after signing the tag offer either. There are other players the lions need to lock up and replace as well, and they already have large contracts in Johnson and Stafford. Tagging Suh would have made it impossible to field a competitive team this year. They took a chance, they are still working on trying to sign him long term, so there is nothing that "they know more than the rest of us". They still have plans to continue building their D around him, they've been talking about trying to sign him long term for the past season and a half.

And this penalty machine is just media hype over the few plays that caused a stir. He had 7 accepted penalties last season, only two personal fouls (one facemask, one roughing the passer). For reference, Watt had 8 penalties accepted, 3 roughing the passers, 2 roughing the kicker and he's looked at as a clean defensive player.

Suh may lose his head occasionally during a heated game, he plays in the trenches where some unsavory things can happen (lets not forget our own Cody Wallace move during a Ravens game), but he's far from a penalty machine. He gets a bad rep for being a dirty player because of the media. The same way Harrison is labeled dirty.

We're obviously not seeing eye to eye here but that's cool. I think we both are on the same page with Suh being a very good player but where we differ I think is that I think he could be much better. I've read reports and read comments from coaches and even trainers one in particular who had Suh under his wing in a training program who said that very thing. "The guy doesn't have the dedication and work ethic that he should". You mention JJ Watt and that's a good example of what I'm talking about. Here's a player who works extremely hard, is extremely dedicated and plays hard every down. If I had the choice between the two today I'm taking JJ in a heartbeat.

The salary cap be it as it may and you seem to have a better grasp of their situation in Detroit than I do, would then make it a poor decision to franchise him. If they really felt like there was no way they could go without him they would find a way to offer a contract to his liking.
 
Id be somewhat comfortable with a defense that trotted out Suh, McClendon, Heyward, Timmons, Shazier, Silverback, Moats (or a FA pickup), McCain, Mitchell, Troy and Gay (who has come into his own).........1/3 of that unit is Pro Bowl caliber(Suh, Heyward, Timmons and Gay)

I do feel we really need to figure out what we have (if anything in Jarvis). IMO we can draft and take chances on a few young pieces and wait for them to develop and mesh..OR, we can gamble for the PRESENT, sign Suh and give Ben 3-5 more years to make runs at another title. I am NOT opposed to the latter. Im willing to deal with the fines and penalties (that accompany Suh) occasionally. Hes an imposing force that requires a double team. If it costs us Troy (gettin cut) im still okay with that. But its a move we should strong consider because we arent gonna find anyone near his talent these next few drafts.

gay and probowl caliber on a same sentence, whou could have thought about it 4 years ago
 
If we went to a 4-3 the DL would be Heyward, Suh, McClendon, and Tuitt. Suh is a talent. Dirty yes, but also great. A bit like Greg Lloyd.
 
Look at that, the Bus going to bat for Suh:

JEROME BETTIS - PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Dear Mr. Suh,

I am writing this letter from the city of champions where I believe you can help resurrect the steel curtain and bring the next championship to Pittsburgh. I do understand that this is a three-four defense and that you are not necessarily a three-four Defensive Lineman, but you are a champion... I can see it inside of you and if you want the chance to bring that out and become a champion I believe Pittsburgh is the best fit.

We will be willing to make some adjustments to the three four defense to make you more of a pass rusher. We will put the pass rush around you and build the backend of the defense to support you. The offense will complement you and the crowd will adore you... This is my promise to you!

P.S. I can see letters after your name here in Pittsburgh!

Thank you.

Jerome Bettis HOF '15


Jerome Bettis, Mark Brunell, Jeff Saturday sent recruitment letters to Ndamukong Suh
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...day-sent-recruitment-letters-to-ndamukong-suh
 
I'd give Suh the moon and stars to come here lol. I don't give a **** if he takes penalties or not. We are used to that.
 
It could happen....will it happen, thats another story. But its worth a ****** shot !!! Nothin would revitalize this defense more than if we were to add a talent like Suh. I hope Tomlin, Colbert, Rooney and Khan are puttin their heads together tryin to figure out a way to make this work.Get him on the phone, fly him out, make a pitch (walk his *** down the corridor that houses those 6-burgh Lombardi's).
 
Man, just thinking about him signing here give me goosebumps. It will never happen, but so nice to dream. . .
 
Imagine Suh on one end, Hayward on the other..........McClendon/McCullers at NG.....that front line opens up things so much for our LBs that they couldnt help but make more plays with pressure...its the lack of pass rush/pressure that caused our bottom half ranking vs the Pass. Signing Suh and adding a decent CB, i think, would catapult this defense back into a top level unit. it wont happen but if it did..............CONTENDER !!! NO QUESTION !!! He could make that much of a difference.

I like this, but the DL would be Heyward, Suh, McClendon, and Tuitt. The LB's would be Shazier, Timmons, and Moats. We can switch to a 4-3. Suh is a bit like Mean Joe Greene, who by the way could be brought back as an mentor to talk to if Suh was signed.

Then we draft a CB, S, and 4-3 edge rusher.
 
Moats? You would see Shazier and Timmons on the outside with Spence/Williams on the middle before you see Moats starting. Solid backup but there are better options in that scheme.
 
Moats? You would see Shazier and Timmons on the outside with Spence/Williams on the middle before you see Moats starting. Solid backup but there are better options in that scheme.

Spense is too small and weak, and not fast enough to make up for it. He was demoted out of the nickel. I like Williams as a 3-4 ILB, but he would have to play the middle in a 4-3. He's too slow to be placed on the outside.

IMO, Moats would be the other OLB in a 4-3 for now until we upgrade. Finding a 4-3 OLB in free agency or the draft is not that hard.
 
Lol, 6 years, 114 million. Remember when teams wouldn't pay him top dollar because he was a dirty player? Double lol.
 
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