Surprising Workload Drop For Ndamukong Suh
December 22nd, 2020
Joe sure hopes everything is ok with Ndamukong Suh, who two Sundays ago against the Vikings got a game ball from his head coach after having maybe his best day as a Buccaneer.
Following that Vikings game, Bucco Bruce Arians was raving about Suh’s “relentless” day against Minnesota, when Suh logged 54 snaps, a rather typical total for him.
So it surprised Joe to see Suh take just 42 snaps against Atlanta, representing 65 percent of the defensive plays.
The Bucs’ defensive line rotation was in full swing, with even Jeremiah Ledbetter having his busiest day of the season and his first game action in two months.
Given what was at stake against the Falcons on Sunday, Joe just found it odd that Suh’s snaps were cut. And overall, his play didn’t seem as energetic as it was in the prior week.
Joe suspects Suh will be extra motivated to play Saturday in Detroit, where he made his name as an All-Pro and still has lots of fans. But Joe will be monitoring the situation.
Joe would love to see the Bucs find a way to rest Suh in Week 17 to prepare for the playoffs — he sure was great off the bye week — though it’s unlikely.
December 22nd, 2020 at 6:33 am
Doesn’t look like much of a workload drop for Suh at all Joe. Lately Suh’s been playing around 65% of the defensive snaps …
o Falcons: 65%
o Vikings: 68%
o Chiefs: 63%
o Rams: 86%
o Panthers: 88%
o Saints: 73%
o Giants: 72%
o Raiders: 66%
o Packers: 68%
o Bears: 84%
o Chargers: 85%
o Broncos: 71%
o Panthers: 75%
o Saints: 82%
Suh is a beast, but my guess is that Todd Bowles is trying to restrict his snaps to around 65% now (last 3 games?) to keep him fresher for the 4th qtr and for the playoffs. I’d love to see how many snaps PER QUARTER he’s been playing, and when in the game he’s seeing his most playing time.
Also seems like he’s averaging more playing time in our losses than in our wins. He hit his most def snaps (in the 80% plus range) in our losses to Saints, Bears & Rams.
December 22nd, 2020 at 6:51 am
Suh is getting older…
Joe is getting older
Kay Adams is getting older
We are all getting older..
December 22nd, 2020 at 7:28 am
Suh is getting older…
Joe is getting older
Kay Adams is getting hotter
We are all getting older..
December 22nd, 2020 at 8:28 am
Found the fountain of youth and I’m getting younger.
December 22nd, 2020 at 9:54 am
if we need suh more than he used to playing against the Falcons and Lions then we have a problem….
bowles actually does have a problem….his defense is swiss cheese early in games….
GO BUCS!!!!!
December 22nd, 2020 at 10:41 am
TBBF, shut up! Kay Adams is not getting older! She’s getting sexier.
December 22nd, 2020 at 12:24 pm
Kay Adams looks like she had some work done that she didn’t need. But, yeah.
December 22nd, 2020 at 12:49 pm
All I know is I’m really grateful to have Suh on this defense.
In two years he’s flashed and splashed more than the former 93 ever did.
December 22nd, 2020 at 1:23 pm
If the team can win without him playing more, IMO saving him for the playoffs is a smart move. Give the second tier some snap experience.
The Big Uglies can really get ground down toward the end of a season, especially as Father Time is watching.
December 22nd, 2020 at 2:41 pm
Yes sir, age gets the best of us. I wonder how often Suh faces double teams?
December 22nd, 2020 at 5:15 pm
How bad is K. Davis that he hasn’t played in one game yet? Like Ledbetter is such a stud we don’t want to take his snaps away? We don’t get much pass rush from any of our DT’s. Maybe he’ll get some game action when we clinch.
December 22nd, 2020 at 5:24 pm
i saw nelson flash a few times sunday…that was good to see…
GO BUCS!!!!
December 22nd, 2020 at 5:26 pm
I am so old the Bucs put me to sleep 1st half against Falcons.