Suh Is Not A “Mistake”
January 10th, 2020
“Mistake?”
Some people have a funny way of looking at production.
Just take Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. Dude becomes only the eighth quarterback in the history of the NFL to throw for 5,000 yards in a season, and eighth-most in NFL history in a season with 5,109 yards, and Jameis likely has to have squad cars parked outside his house with a hungry Doberman on his front porch to keep the lit torch crowd away. Unreal!
But a national writer believes one of the game’s best defensive linemen since he’s been in the NFL was a “mistake” to sign by the Bucs last year.
And that is Ndamukong Suh. The man finished yet another season without missing a start and was part of the NFL’s best run defense.
But Chris Roling of Bleacher Report seems to think Suh was a mistake by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
Is another team going to make the mistake of buying into Ndamukong Suh? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did last offseason after losing Gerald McCoy, and they only got 2.5 sacks in 16 games from the formerly elite interior presence.
This Roling based his analysis, apparently, citing Suh’s grade from the PFF tribe. Can you imagine?
While playing 77 percent of the defensive snaps, he put up just 10 hurries and 24 pressures.
Maybe this wouldn’t have been so bad if the Buccaneers hadn’t doled out $9.3 million for one year. But another team can’t afford to make a similar mistake, not after Suh’s regression. There’s also the fact that he is now 33 years old.
Well, the Bucs don’t ask Suh to be the pass rusher he once was. Suh was asked to clog the running lanes and to tie up offensive linemen so the linebackers could make plays. If he had a shot at a play, go for it.
Joe seems to recall Suh having two scoop-and-scores and four fumble recoveries. So he was a mistake?
Perhaps Roling isn’t familiar with the play of Shaq Barrett, Lavonte David or rookie Devin White? Wouldn’t be the first time someone looked past David.
The only mistake here is a guy who writes NFL columns for a paycheck suggesting signing Suh was a “mistake.” The guy did what he was asked to do, at a high level, and produced. Where exactly is the mistake?
(Anyone notice that Gerald McCoy is now on the sixth head coach of his career?)
January 10th, 2020 at 8:05 am
sign him, he sets the bar, showing up and doing his job. pay him, but reduced rate as he is aging. 7 mill?
January 10th, 2020 at 8:05 am
Is it a coincidence that for the past two seasons, Suh was on a team where the “NFL” defensive sack leader played on the same line as he. (Aaron Donald and Shaquille Barrett!)
January 10th, 2020 at 8:11 am
I don’t think it’s a Coincidence that the last 2 years a player playing next or with sue on the d line has lead the league in sacks! Bring him back add Chris Jones DT from KC and we’re in business
January 10th, 2020 at 8:13 am
Um, Joe…Suh is also on the sixth head coach of his career. Seventh if you count the 12 games played under Dan Campbell in 2015. I’m not sure why that is relevant to you. That is a testament to the bad head coaching hires by bad organizations and not on GMC as a player.
January 10th, 2020 at 8:19 am
The thing I love most about our defense this year is the lineman stepped up when they needed too in a lot of situations, not all, but a lot. Sub batted down balls or pressured QBs late in the game when we needed a stop. The one thing I had against McCoy is that he never really made a game changing play late in the game. He got a sack in the first quarter and made a few plays most barring a few times when he needed to get a sack on a third or fourth down late in the game he was nowhere to be found. This year whether it was Suh, JPP or Barrett one of them seemed to be making a play when we needed them to the most. I loved that. I hope we keep all these guys and Jameis somehow.
January 10th, 2020 at 8:23 am
If the Bucs keep the defense intact they don’t really have to add anybody to be a top 5 defense. I think Suh can be resigned fo 7.5mil.
January 10th, 2020 at 8:29 am
After Shaq and JPP Suh needs to be the next signing
January 10th, 2020 at 8:34 am
Suh was better and cheaper in 19 than Mccoy was in 18.
January 10th, 2020 at 8:35 am
SUH SOUP——–FOR YEARS WE HAVE TRIED TO MAKE OUR DEFENSIVE LINE BETTER—–NO SUCCESS.I DON’T CARE IF SUH GETS HIS HAIR STYLED AND GETS A MASSAGE FROM A HOT GIRL BEFORE EACH GAME—–HE MAKES EVERYONE AROUND HIM BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!SIGN HIM—–GIVE HIM THE MONEY HONEY.LET’S SAY YOU HAVE ALWAYS LOVED GUMBO,BUT YOU HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET COMPLIMENTS . AFTER TRYING TO MAKE IT MANY TIMES—YOU ADD SOME SUH AND EVERYONE WANTS SECONDS.ARE YOU GOING TO SAY—“THAT INGREDIENT IS TOO EXPENSIVE.
January 10th, 2020 at 8:37 am
This idiot writes and he doesn’t know his role changed Joe you nailed his job is different now
Rush defense 73.8 yds #1 sacks 47 tied for 7th
The front 4 needs to stay together
A piece of paper holds anything this guys write anything
January 10th, 2020 at 8:44 am
Individual sacks can be misleading…..Its not hard to imagine that Suh’s play led to production for Shaq and JPP. You cant double everyone and you have to put at least three guys on Suh and Vea.
January 10th, 2020 at 8:49 am
Chris Rolling is a lazy oaf. There are people who comment on this site who would do a much better job at Bleacher Report.
Those in the know know exactly how well Suh played. If only all those years ago, the Bucs could have taken him instead of the Ice Cream Man. Where would they be now?
Licht, don’t let him go.
January 10th, 2020 at 8:51 am
THE REAL DEAL —-93——SUHHHHH
January 10th, 2020 at 8:52 am
I was curious about PFF after reading the Joes last season. I bought a subscription and it is pure hogwash. The proof is reading the grades, and then reading the synopsis of the games by the people presumably grading the game. It is drivel. I asked a friend who worked for a team on the football side about if teams really pay them. He said yes, but only for formations, and players on the field per play. He said they laugh at the grades because no one grading knows what roles players have per play. The grades are BS.
January 10th, 2020 at 9:03 am
Gerold McCoy had more QB sacks 5 (half of those against the Bucs in one game – 2.5) Suh only had 2.5. However Suh was more effective in stopping the run.
January 10th, 2020 at 9:35 am
The mistake would be not bringing him back…
January 10th, 2020 at 9:43 am
I would not sign Barrett or JPP to Big Bucks without also signing Suh.
JPP and Barrett numbers are largely predicated on inside pressure not allowing QB’s to step up in the pocket.
Vea and Suh are absolute monsters inside, the key to a solid Bucs D.
But then again, I’m a huge fan of Big Uglies, who win and lose football games. The rest is showmanship.
January 10th, 2020 at 10:28 am
What Cobraboy said
January 10th, 2020 at 10:43 am
ancientasbuc:
Joe had a long talk with an NFL assistant about the PFF tribe a few years ago. Yes, teams pay them — for quality control work. As you stated, formations, stats (NOT grades; people confuse the two), personnel groupings, things normal NFL teams would dole out to their assistants. Joe was told this saves assistants maybe 10-12 hours of work a week.
The same assistant when Joe asked him about the tribe’s grades scoffed out loud and said, “I don’t give a sh!t about their grades!” Joe once had a scouting director refer to the PFF tribe’s grades as “cute.” Joe had a chat with a GM at the combine nearly fall backward in his chair he was so animated in his outrage over their offensive line grades.
Greg Gabriel, former Bears scouting director once called the tribe, “Irresponsible” with their grades. That’s about right.
January 10th, 2020 at 10:51 am
Vea + Suh were disruptive as hell and a huge key to our entire defense. Can’t read it on a stat sheet but it definitely passed the eye test.
January 10th, 2020 at 11:37 am
For those of you who play chess, you know the 4 center squares are the most important. The reason is… if you control those 4 squares, you can dictate the play on the rest of the board.
Keep this entire defense together! They know how to play together!
In BA I Trust!
January 10th, 2020 at 11:39 am
And what were our defensive results against the run and sacks? The proof is in the pudding.
January 10th, 2020 at 11:40 am
@Cobraboy: I agree
January 10th, 2020 at 12:00 pm
Wow…Robert aka “Big Shot Bob” makes a great point. I guess trolls are people too.
January 10th, 2020 at 12:40 pm
Continuity is Key. The defense was one of the worst in the NFL the first half of the year, but it was one of the best the during the second half.
Jettisoning GMC and VHIII told what we knew: Culture was crap. Suh, JPP, David, and White changed it. Keep the defense together and they will be even better next year.
January 10th, 2020 at 12:56 pm
There’s no easy way to say this: Chris Roling of Bleacher Report is a bloody idiot. Apparently he never watched McIcecream open gaping holes for opposing running backs to waltz through.
Chris Droling should check out the Panthers’ defensive stats versus the run this year.
January 10th, 2020 at 1:42 pm
“Big Shot Bob?”
¿Que?
January 10th, 2020 at 2:12 pm
I guess since Aaron Donald led the league in sacks guys now grade DT’s on sacks and pressures. Oh well he had an article to write and it was written. Like ya said teams arent taking their advice. Makes 33 of us.
January 10th, 2020 at 2:13 pm
He played better than GMC and for 2.5 million less.
January 10th, 2020 at 2:33 pm
Bring him back…solid player. Hopefully, we can get him a little cheaper.
January 10th, 2020 at 2:38 pm
I’m still looking for all the “dumb” Bucs fans. I’m impressed with this thread.
Cobra nailed it and a half dozen other followed suit. Yeah football is a team sport and sacks come from more than simply the player who makes the tackle and gets the credit. Certainly Suh and Vea had monster years as beef up the middle.
Another area that can be important to sack production are the DB’s. When they cover like blankets it can provide more time to get to the QB.
Beginning of the year that did not happen. Second half Davis, Dean and SMB really started to get it. Much has been made about how the return of JPP helped Shaq get sacks and who can deny that. But I would add that the incredible improvement of our secondary probably had some influence on Shaq finishing strongly and get getting that record.
January 10th, 2020 at 3:27 pm
Ditto CobraBoy, Suh is much needed, resign him Bucs!
January 10th, 2020 at 4:15 pm
My basement just flooded, must be Jameis’ fault.
January 10th, 2020 at 4:28 pm
The odd man out on the DL could be Gholston, although I would like to see his return.
IMO Nasdib is worthy of a new deal, but not at he level of JPP, Barrett or Sub. He is relentless and a solid citizen and leader.
I would much rather keep the D intact than throw the dice on Winston with huge $$$.
January 10th, 2020 at 8:36 pm
Suh was rock solid and made some big plays, key plays at key times and was a huge force in the middle with Vea. Best D line the Bucs have had in over 15 years.
January 11th, 2020 at 3:02 am
There is no way in hell that we end up with 47 sacks without Suh disrupting things like you stated Joe. Chris Roling is just another national dude who doesn’t do his homework and relies on the bozos at PFF.
January 11th, 2020 at 5:47 am
Hmmmm what happened to the Rams defensive line after Suh left ?