The Good & Bad Of Suh
May 23rd, 2019
Greg Cosell of NFL Films.
A lot of folks have been weighing in on the Bucs tossing former stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy out the door of One Buc Palace and bringing in Ndamukong Suh.
And Joe found a well-respected NFL analyst to give a balanced take on Suh.
One of the smartest men analyzing the game, Greg Cosell of NFL Films and Yahoo! Sports, dropped in on the “Midday 180” co-hosted by Jonathan Hutton, Paul Kuharsky and Chad Withrow heard on WGFX-FM 104.5 in Nashville yesterday to talk general NFL subjects. There, Cosell was asked to compare GMC with Suh, the outgoing and incoming Bucs defensive tackles.
“I think they are totally different players,” Cosell said. “McCoy, to me, at his best, is a pure explosive three-technique. … He’s a gap-penetrator with great quickness, great explosiveness.
“I always thought Suh was kind of methodically relentless powerful. Not that he didn’t have some quickness to him, but he was not as naturally as explosive of a player as McCoy. Now Suh certainly can play a three-technique. We saw it numerous times last year. He may give you more versatility to be used across your defensive front.”
Suh’s versatility, Cosell believes, is why the Bucs made the switch as the team transitions from a four-man front defense to a three-man front defense.
“This is Todd Bowles now,” Cosell said of the Bucs’ defensive coordinator. “So I think you are going to see a lot of multiple front looks. Todd can line up in 4-3 type fronts or line up in 3-4 type fronts. Todd is pretty multiple with his front looks.
“I think [Tampa Bay] is actually a good spot for [Suh] because Suh has shown the kind of versatility in which he can line up in multiple spots along your front.”
Now for the bad. Guys like former NFL defensive back and pro player personnel director Louis Riddick of BSPN and Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian of SiriusXM NFL Radio, among many others, have stated Suh takes plays off but when he is motivated and isn’t mentally checked out, can be a dominant player.
Cosell added he has heard from reliable people who have worked with Suh in the past that he’s not exactly a Boy Scout, which is one reason why the Rams didn’t even try to re-sign him and why Suh is on his fourth NFL team in six years.
“I have spoken with coaches who have been on staffs with Ndamukong Suh,” Cosell said. “And the one thing I have heard a number of times is that he is not necessarily a great guy or a great teammate. I’m just telling you what I heard.”
This Suh, to Joe, is going to prove just how much of a player’s guy Bucco Bruce Arians is. Virtually every player that has played for Arians loves him, despite his sometimes in-your-face demeanor.
Can Arians’ magic keep Suh interested and motivated? Bucs fans will be watching.
May 23rd, 2019 at 12:27 am
This one is all on the coaches. If they get ‘Dominate’ Suh this year, I’ll be sold they can coach anybody. And we wont need a rookie (White) to hold Suh accountable, this coaching staff will be all over it.
Its not up the players to police themselves anymore, the grown ups have arrived in BA and TB.
In BA I Trust!
May 23rd, 2019 at 1:46 am
In BA I trust as well.
White will hold him accountable more from his play I believe than anything.
Suh thrives off emotion and splash plays will get him going.
Vea will work and Suh will appreciate that.
True power from those 2 will eat up 3 sometimes 4 Olineman.
Others with speed will HUNT.
I’M really enjoying the vision of this coaching staff in action and from the sounds of the players, they have bought into it.
I truly believe this defense will SURPRISE.
May 23rd, 2019 at 1:58 am
Will this move make up for not addressing the defensive line in the draft?
May 23rd, 2019 at 2:07 am
Love this post. Gimme the good and the bad about our new guy.
Not surprising that he has been to so many teams given Cosell’s take. Makes me think he may want to stick around for a while at the right situation?
May 23rd, 2019 at 2:26 am
Sapp didn’t get along with others either and he’s in the HOF. Suh is cut from the same cloth. He brings it when it counts the most.
May 23rd, 2019 at 2:30 am
Tbf I can see how Suh would rub some players the wrong way but I don’t think the players that are producing will be bothered by him.
May 23rd, 2019 at 2:34 am
Polian said that Suh can take “plays’ off, did he mention that GMC takes quarters off?
May 23rd, 2019 at 3:22 am
And… the signature on the dotted line?
May 23rd, 2019 at 4:04 am
Sapp never took plays off. He never needed to be motivated. He was the motivator.
May 23rd, 2019 at 4:10 am
i tell ya…kong suh woulda slapped the fugg outta chris baker when he was bringing down the team
May 23rd, 2019 at 4:11 am
GRRRR!!!! HE’S MEAN!!!! GRRRRR!!!!! NO COMIC BOOKS!!!! GRRRR!!!!!
May 23rd, 2019 at 4:35 am
Good ole Bill Polian…I trust his opinion as much as a used car salesman. Amazing that he makes money spewing words in complete sentences that are presented in such an articulate way that people actually thinks he knows football. Shut up already about GMC and Suh! You don’t know what your are talking about Bill! Booooo
May 23rd, 2019 at 4:36 am
Rod Munch. You are a legend for that last post. Good on you sir.
May 23rd, 2019 at 5:01 am
Great article in the context of Cosell’s take. I don’t agree with Joe on this. It has nothing to do with Arian’s being a player’s guy, and whether most of BA’s players love Arians. I will say this, that if it’s true Suh is not a great teammate, it will mean more controversy the Bucs don’t need. There is a reason Suh is making his rounds in the NFL, and my hunch is like so many other accomplished veterans in the twilight of their careers, Suh is tired of what some (jerk) veterans may view as nonsense in having to go along, get along with his team, with his coaches. That is, Suh doesn’t need this game anymore, and frankly, neither does GMC. So they will both likely sloth along and finish milking the cow without much benefit to their teams. I look at Suh in the sense of if he at least does HIS own job and brings some “attitude” on the field that other players like, he can be a plus.
May 23rd, 2019 at 5:15 am
Still smiling about this acquisition, but now I think we need some more depth at outside linebacker. Noah Spence has proven nothing except that he is a tough mf. Carl N. (What’s up with this spellchecker? I can’t type odd last names) isn’t scaring anyone yet…, Shaquil was 3rd or 4th string in Denver for a reason, and we have a green as hell 4th round rookie who hardly lit up college football.
I don’t want to sound too negative and I hope that at least 2 of the above mentioned players are solid, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we can trade one of our 10,000 defensive backs for a proven outside linebacker. 😬
May 23rd, 2019 at 5:41 am
Suh is the closest person to Sapp that we have had since Sapp, McCoy in my opinion was a better player from a technical standpoint. Suh 100% better in the “it” factor. I am anxious to see how his demeanor infects the rest of the
D line the whole D for that matter.
May 23rd, 2019 at 5:49 am
Rod … Awesome post. Now let’s all hope that Suh brings that GRRR to our DLine, on the field especially.
Magadude … I agree with you that this has “nothing to do with Arian’s being a player’s guy”. Suh is who he is … a ‘free spirit’ much like Simeon Rice was. Folks who think they’re going to change him into something else will be sorely disappointed.
However, I don’t think he’s here to ‘milk the cow’ either. He doesn’t NEED the money, nor does he NEED a Florida vacation. What he does NEED is a team so he can showcase ‘Who he is’ … a very good football player who operates on a different level than most. Quite ‘aloof’, probably. Not the quintessential ‘team player’, probably. But he has been a very productive DLineman with good versatility, and it’s up to Todd Bowles to harness those talents most effectively. I’ll put my money on Todd.
Buczilla … You and I have similar concerns about the ‘bookends’ but I don’t think we’re done massaging our defensive roster yet. We’re at the very front end of JPP’s injury, and that COULD go in any direction over time. With a fully-healed JPP we’re in decent shape. But IF he’ll be out for an extended period of time, I think the Bucs will release him & move on, which would free up enough $$$ to make a move for a starting-quality DE from ‘someplace’. No need to hurry things right now though.
May 23rd, 2019 at 6:20 am
Dumping GMC for Suh is just a baaaadddd decision….period. Just wait and see.
May 23rd, 2019 at 6:23 am
And “counting on the coaches” to make Suh someone he is not is just ridiculous. The man is 32 years old, and he is who he is, and he’s not gonna change now.
May 23rd, 2019 at 6:51 am
Do you want to fight the bully, or fight with the bully? McCoy use to give his lunch money to the offense when the game mattered. Hopefully Suh can take their lunch money instead, that’s the difference between the two, that’s why the Bucs want Suh over McCoy.
May 23rd, 2019 at 7:25 am
Ohhh.gosh..another bowl of Suh….
May 23rd, 2019 at 8:01 am
Still not one positive remark from Joe regarding Suh that isn’t followed or led by negative.
Yet McCoy could do no wrong. Unbelievable. Amazing what buying movie tickets for kids does for your perceived play on the football field.
May 23rd, 2019 at 9:10 am
Takes plays off? Can be big with the spotlight on? Big personality that can be seen as a jerk?
Sounds to me like we signed Warren Sapp.
May 23rd, 2019 at 9:16 am
“…he is not a boyscout which is one reason why the Rams didn’t sign him.” And Talib & Peters are swell guys that you’d let your daughter date?
There is a reason they didn’t sign Suh but, this isn’t it. Lazy! I wish someone paid me for my thoughtless comments!
I think it is clear that the Bucs want him BECAUSE he is not nice! We tried the “nice” approach on defense for a decade now! Not so good.
May 23rd, 2019 at 9:24 am
Snook, excellent commentary on the journalistic approach of the bay area’s sportscasters! The same idol-worship takes place when #3 high-fives middle school kids & tells little girls that they should be silent!?
May 23rd, 2019 at 9:24 am
GMC took quarters and games off…..
folks forgot about dallas when we were 8-5 and GMC took the team, “lets just have fun”….. GMC had 0tckl 0sacks 0assist 0qb hurries…..zach martin blocked the sh!t outta him 1on1 all game…..
ive seen wrs barely run off the line when a run play aint coming their way….
this “suh takes plays off” mess is BS……
he took plays off but was still able to be on 3teams that made the playoffs…..GMC went 100% all the time and never sniffed a playoff game…..
give me the loafer!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
May 23rd, 2019 at 9:36 am
If you look closely at GMC vs Suh in terms of stats per games played you will find some interesting things. Suh will be better in some categories. GMC will be better in other categories.
Suh has played in 19 more games than GMC during the the last nine years. His totals for most categories reflect this
Is it possible that Suh had a basic edge in raw talent from the beginning of their respective careers? He certainly has demonstrated greater endurance.
Is it possible that GMC pushed himself beyond his physical limitations most of the time while Suh has not. Can anyone really go back and compare who has taken more “plays off” during their careers overall. Could anyone determine the so called facts?
Who would be the tougher player then? Would it right to call either of them “creampuff” if we had that knowledge? We know who has the nastier reputation of the two around here in Buc Fan Land.
I do know that both have played well enough to have been considered top tier at their position and have been to multiple Pro bowls.
Let the debate continue. I am dropping out of the argument now and paying more attention to the immediate future of our team. I am concerned who we will have on our roster and how many games we can win this upcoming season.
___________
Go Bucs!!!
I am purposely posting these remarks under two different discussions at JBF.
May 23rd, 2019 at 10:20 am
We need Dogs in the fight, and we got one with Suh (if he actually signs). Saying 93 has better technique and a better get-off means crap if he doesn’t “get-off” to a play making place. This isn’t track. Knock the sh!t out of the guy in front of you and don’t apologize for it.
Let me ask you 93 supporters something (and I wasn’t a hater) – what do you think the reaction of Offensive Coordinators in our division thought when they heard the news of 93 out and Suh in? Honestly – when they think of Vea and Suh lined up, do you really not think that they worry more then when 93 was here?
Where was 93 in the 4th quarter when it mattered? On plays that change the outcome of games?
Suh was regarded as the Rams best defensive player in the playoffs. And yes, that means over future HOF Aaron Donald.
That’s all for now.
May 23rd, 2019 at 1:18 pm
I WANT someone who is nasty in the trenches. If he’s not particularly a nice guy off the field so effing what?…neither was Warren Sapp.
May 23rd, 2019 at 3:56 pm
Can’t wait for Suh to boil over in the locker room. Thats exactly what I heard.
Not a great teammate. Its all bout him.
May 23rd, 2019 at 4:18 pm
Much the same was about Brett Grimes. When healthy Grimes gave it his all. That’s we need from Suh,