Derrick Brooks: Moving On From Ndamukong Suh Is A Sound Move
July 7th, 2022
Former Bucs DT Ndamukong Suh.
Some fans lament the loss of manbeast defensive tackle and versatile ironman Ndamukong Suh.
Legendary Buccaneers Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks isn’t one of those fans.
Brooks hopped on WDAE radio today and threw a little cold water on co-host and former Bucs guard Ian Beckles’ feeling that the non-signing of Suh is likely an issue.
“The athleticism that they need now to take the next step and rebound up front, it’s not there with Suh,” Brooks said.
“He came in. He did what he had to do, you reward his time and you move on. And that’s what they’re trying to do. Now is the answer there now? No. I think the answer is probably in college right now going to be drafted in the next year or two, the next interior guy to step in and have just as big an impact as Vita. At the same time, by not signing Suh, now you’re going to Vita [Vea] and saying, ‘Hey, you’re the guy. We need more.'”
Brooks went on to say he expects Todd Bowles to put Vea in positions to have more of an impact, and he reiterated that younger and more athletic is solid way to go on the defensive line.
Joe agrees with Brooks, especially when it comes to demanding more out of Vea.
And for those wondering, ‘Hey, why didn’t Brooks mention Logan Hall or Akiem Hicks?” don’t think for a second that Brooks isn’t completely aware of their skill sets and potential roles on the team.
Joe is not anti-Suh, but the Bucs appear poised to handle the loss of his production and the replacement may have more upside. Remember, the Bucs marched into the postseason — and deep into the postseason — with Vea missing most of the 2020 season.
Fire up today’s Ira Kaufman Podcast!
July 7th, 2022 at 7:49 pm
So, I got to think that Brooks is tied in and that means that Suh does not have any shot to be on this team unless an injury happens.
Good for the Bucs for looking ahead instead. Rather we moved on a year early than 2 years too late.
July 7th, 2022 at 8:02 pm
Respect Brooks. But also respect Suh. I’d rather watch Suh than Hicks. One is durable, the other has issues.
July 7th, 2022 at 8:16 pm
I agree with Brooks take. I hope with a winning culture in place Hicks regains more of his 2018 form and stays healthy.
July 7th, 2022 at 8:40 pm
I build Homes for a living. How much of a fool would I be to disagree with a HOF LB?
July 7th, 2022 at 8:43 pm
At some point that durability is not going to be something that Suh is going to have either and at 35 rather cut ties early than late
July 7th, 2022 at 9:11 pm
Suh has NEVER missed a game for his career > Hicks injury problems.
Brooks is right they need to go younger, but Hicks is not younger.
Most likely Suh would not sign for what the Bucs were willing to give.
But again Suh has never missed a game in his career, and Hicks has injury problems.
I hope Hicks can play somewhere near what he has for his time on the Bucs.
July 7th, 2022 at 9:14 pm
Suh is definitely more durable, but Hicks is ferocious and if he stays healthy it’s a huge win.
July 7th, 2022 at 9:40 pm
Anyone can be durable when you are playing 50% of the snaps
July 7th, 2022 at 9:43 pm
‘Remember, the Bucs marched into the postseason — and deep into the postseason — with Vea missing most of the 2020 season.’
And the only reason our DLine rose to the occasion while Vea was healing up was … Suh. Without him in 2020, no SB rings.
Respect DB55 for what he accomplished, but he’s trying to have his cake & eat it too on this one. Using his rationale, the Bucs won’t be playing in the SB this year …
DB55 … ‘Now is the answer there now? No. I think the answer is probably in college right now going to be drafted in the next year or two’.
July 7th, 2022 at 9:48 pm
Facts 941
July 7th, 2022 at 10:08 pm
I’m sorry was at every home game and watched every game and Suh other then Vea was the best defensive player we had on the field. It’s as simple as that and this will be the beginning of the end of Bowels ignorance in not seeing that. Reminds me of Lovie. I hope I’m wrong. Go Bucs!
July 7th, 2022 at 10:30 pm
Brooks is full of it on this one- the answer is in College? Are we in rebuild mode? Tom Freakin Brady is on the team for one more year- we are the usual dumpster fire clown show without him and the “cuteness” and “smart thinking” of the front office and coaching staff will begin the new lost decade
Welcome to hell
July 7th, 2022 at 10:31 pm
Sign Suh and JPP while these unproven scrubs develop
July 7th, 2022 at 10:40 pm
We brought back Suh and JPP already once before. It didnt work. We were manhandled by the Rams and our passrush was non existent.
If we wanna beat LA a big step is generating a passrush. As much as I loved Suh lets face it, he has one passrush move. Bullrush.
Looks like the idea is get some extra passrush from interior guys. We also might see a line with more versatility that Bowles can use to create some mismatches.
And dont even bother looking at stats. Throw it out the window. The only test needed is seeing what this line does against LA and seeing where they stack up.
July 7th, 2022 at 11:28 pm
Suh came in did what he needed to do and was rewarded. Good quote. It’s time to move on. GOBUCS!
July 7th, 2022 at 11:30 pm
Sign Suh. Can’t believe Brooks would say that when they kept him out there and he had the athleticism of an O lineman. It was sad to watch him in the end. Suh has not seen even close to that much of a drop off.
July 7th, 2022 at 11:47 pm
College? What is he babbling about?
Win now mode…forget college.
July 8th, 2022 at 12:46 am
SUH.
SUH.
SUH.
SUH.
SUH.
July 8th, 2022 at 12:49 am
And not surprising, there are eggplamts who are missing an even semi-functional brain stem who blabber that Suh was done.
Without Suh we weren’t ever coming back in the Rams game.
Don’t bitch when you’re 0-4, D-bags.
July 8th, 2022 at 1:56 am
Suh + Hicks?
Sounds ideal.
I want an 8 deep D-line.
July 8th, 2022 at 2:13 am
It boils down to what the goal really is. To win now, with TB12 (a 1 yr window) or build the team for the long term (years into forever window).
If the latter, of course you deal reasonably, stock up on youth, let them develop, don’t worry about it. Do the best you can, and forget it. Yes, move on and go youth. They look fine for this kind of scenario.
If the former, big problems. Suh,Vita, Hall, Hicks are different players who do different things. They haven’t replaced the Suh part of it, and more veteran star power is necessary if you want to win this season, and even get to a SB with TB12.
Should they try to bring back Suh, even if he’s diminished? Who else is out there? Brandon Williams is available and was a steady force for the Ravens, more stuffer than pass rusher. Larry Ogunjobi was good for the Bengals, and might still be good depending on his injuries. Falcons signed Eddie Goldman.
Ravens just signed Justin Houston, a great move that Bucs should have made.
Carlos Dunlap is the next best edge available.
July 8th, 2022 at 3:20 am
Agree with goat farmer 100%.
This pompous organization deserves another lost decade
July 8th, 2022 at 6:24 am
I’m still trying to figure out if you’re a Bucs fan, Cleanhouse. It’s really hard to tell.
July 8th, 2022 at 7:40 am
80% of Suh is better than 100% of 95% of the DTs in the NFL in performance. Vea and Hicks are monumental, but they are not always available. Suh is ALWAYS available. Suh should at least be in a rotation if the Bucs are going to win another SB. No OL could survive against us.
July 8th, 2022 at 9:23 am
JimmyJack … ‘We brought back Suh and JPP already once before. It didnt work. We were manhandled by the Rams and our passrush was non existent.’
You’re right JimmyJack, we were ‘manhandled’ & our ‘passrush was non existent’. BUT … IT WASN’T BECAUSE OF SUH. The rest of the DLine (and defense overall) sucked miserably.
Here’s what Ndamukong Suh did in that Rams’ game:
o Def snaps – 48 (67%)
o Sacks – 0.5 (rest of the defense got 1.5 sacks total)
o QB Hurries – 1 (rest of the defense got 2 Hurries total)
o QB Knockdowns – 3 (rest of defense got 2 Knockdowns)
o Forced Fumbles – 1 (rest of defense got 2 FF total)
o Tackles – 6 (3 solo, 3 assist)
So on total QB Hits (Knockdowns + Hurries), Suh had 4 and the entire rest of the defense had 4 (2 by Vea, 1 by JPP, 1 by White).
Tell me again please how having Suh in there ‘didn’t work’. Reality is JimmyJack that Suh provided literally HALF of our defensive accomplishments that game. Shaq? Non-existent. JTS? Non-existent. Gholston? Non-existent. RNR? Non-existent? Nelson? Non-existent. LVD & White? Pretty much non-existent also, except for tackles.
Guess what; those are all the players you’re bringing back this year (plus an oft-injured Hicks & the rookie Hall). And you’re expecting different results exactly why?
And BTW, Suh (at age 34) whooped the big boys in that game in terms of pass rush. He had 5 pressures total all by himself (the rest of the Bucs’ TEAM had 6 pressures TOTAL). For the Rams, Donald had 4 pressures. Miller had 3. Floyd had 1.
Re-sign Suh.
July 8th, 2022 at 9:41 am
Yeah…
SUH
July 8th, 2022 at 12:34 pm
Mod Hair… I respect DB, Suh, Hicks and Vea. But when you talk injury, who knows Vea can stand up to the long season? I’d like to have Hicks and Vea.
July 8th, 2022 at 12:36 pm
And Suh….
July 8th, 2022 at 1:29 pm
DR — standing ovation for your post.
SUH.
July 8th, 2022 at 1:51 pm
Has Hicks ever played a complete season? Has Vea? Better sign SUH and JPP. Jason is taking a huge risk on unproven or oft injured players.
July 8th, 2022 at 5:52 pm
JPP and Suh are not the future. Suh might have one more big season but if not, then way too expensive to carry. I totally respect Suh for what he has done for a long time but time doesn’t stand still for anyone. Sure don’t see any big offers coming his way. He will either have to accept a big pay cut or hope to be picked up by a team with a big need due to injuries early in the season or preseason.
July 8th, 2022 at 8:48 pm
The future is now.
The future is today.
Sign suh.
He’s a bad man.
July 8th, 2022 at 9:30 pm
I think the buc need to go to camp intact..see what they have..if it’s not there well….. teams will be making cuts in preseason n trades will be available for draft picks.
We need to get better on defense and healthy on offense.
I think the bucs still believe gronks coming back.
He know it’s a longer season and doesn’t want to get banged up in camp.
Let the new rookies get burn with brady.
Along as gronk is in decent condition he will be rolling ge game 6 or 7.
Maybe give us a discount enough to fix the dline some more.
The secondary missing a killer lbs need more depth and wr are banged up before the start of the season
July 9th, 2022 at 2:59 am
I feel Suh will return for one more year along with JPP & Gronk but they will sign either once the season starts and a injury happens or during preseason.
July 9th, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Don’t want to overpay for the production that you are getting.