Ndamukong Suh’s Impact
August 21st, 2020
Quiet force.
Lost in the excitement of the Bucs signing park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring quarterback Tom Brady, trading for foot-rubbing Rob Gronkowski and keeping NFL sack king Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul, another signing that flew under the radar.
And it may be as big as re-signing Shaq or JPP.
That was bringing back Ndamukong Suh. While Vita Vea may get the hype because of the hair and catching touchdowns passes, Suh was a quiet force on the defensive line. No, he didn’t get sacks like he’s famous for, but he eats up blockers and enabled Shaq and JPP to go crazy on quarterbacks.
But it’s also the behind-the-scenes help Suh offers teammates that fellow defensive lineman Will Gholston firmly believes has made Bucs linemen better, so he said today after practice.
“It’s amazing the stuff he does not just with his game play but the knowledge of the game. Playing with a tremendous amount of violence and being able to show us exactly how to do it,” Gholston said.
“In certain situations where I can come and lean on him when I need to work on my techniques — I’ve seen Vita doing the same thing. I see the younger guys do the same thing.”
Gholston is very high on his rookie teammates on the defensive line. A big reason for that, he said, is Suh has been sort of an assistant coach adding tips to what assistants have coached the young players to aid in their development.
“They are not playing like rookies now in practice,” Gholston said.
Joe believes Gholston is on to something.
Last year, in Suh’s first practice, right in front of Joe during defensive line drills, Joe witnessed Suh take Gholston aside while demonstrating certain techniques to him. It was clearly sort of a teacher-student moment.
Gholston seemed to step up his game last year. And lest people forget, Gholston started on the league’s top-ranked rush defense.
So while it’s a very good thing the Bucs brought back Suh for his on-field results. His off-field results seem important too.
August 21st, 2020 at 11:33 am
Get every drop of knowledge you can guys, this might be his last ride in Tampa as a player. Would love to bring him back as a coach next year if he’s done playing, because we almost certainly won’t be able to afford him as a player.
August 21st, 2020 at 11:35 am
Signing Suh was huge – the front 7 are monsters!
August 21st, 2020 at 12:26 pm
Suh is a very smart guy.
August 21st, 2020 at 12:29 pm
Bring on the SEASON!
August 21st, 2020 at 12:30 pm
Suh made our line better while Gerald made Carolinas worse. Prime example of why he doesnt belong in the ring of honor.
August 21st, 2020 at 12:37 pm
Suh’s signing was a blessing to this defense that had a history of softness in the middle. McCoy leaving didnt hurt either.
August 21st, 2020 at 12:58 pm
I thought re-signing Suh was as important as Barrett.
August 21st, 2020 at 1:17 pm
Suh, when combined with Vita Vea, makes it very very hard to run on us.
August 21st, 2020 at 1:27 pm
Suh, Vea, and Gholston. That’s a fantastic lineup for a 3-4 d-line.
August 21st, 2020 at 1:44 pm
Six time SB Winning
14 x PRO Bowler
park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring quarterback Tom Brady
August 21st, 2020 at 1:56 pm
The six time SB winning, 14 Probowl accepting chain is for Tom Brady of the New England Patriots. He’s not there anymore. He is with the Bucs, and the only things done so far is Park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring quarterback Tom Brady. Don’t get triggered, it’s just an amusement. I’m sure further embellishments will be forthcoming….
August 21st, 2020 at 2:44 pm
With Gholston now over 300 lbs this year, this is going to be one hard group to stop, both run and pass rush.
August 21st, 2020 at 2:45 pm
Just another example of the vets coaching up the younger players. Sounds to me like team chemistry is exceptional this year, and everyone seems to be focused on one thing – winning consistently. The only path forward to the SB is winning consistently.
August 21st, 2020 at 5:12 pm
All great leaders are great teachers. Is Joe beginning to see the value in leadership?
August 21st, 2020 at 5:42 pm
My favorite Buc
August 21st, 2020 at 11:40 pm
I agree gerald should never be in the ring of honor.
August 22nd, 2020 at 1:56 pm
One of my favorite players on the team and the anti-tree humper. Great move by Licht to get this guy.