Old Man Ndamukong Suh Still Getting Job Done
January 7th, 2022
Playing young.
It’s rare in the 21st Century to see a starting defensive lineman who is 35. At that age, most are so beat up that Father Time is tapping them on the shoulder.
Joe doesn’t think it is a stretch to suggest that is what is happening to Jason Pierre-Paul, 33.
But Ndamukong Suh is a freak. He’s only missed two games in his NFL life, and that was not due to injury but due to a suspension for stomping on then-Packers center Evan Dietrich-Smith. Only missing two games since being drafted in 2010 is an incredible display of endurance, especially at defensive tackle.
Suh may not be the absolute beast he once was, but Suh is still damn good and sometimes flashes that old self when he terrorized quarterbacks.
Yesterday, Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles tried to explain how Suh still plays as a high level at an age most guys have already thrown in the towel.
Basically, Suh is relentless with staying in shape, similar to 44-year-old Tom Brady.
“He takes care of his body very well,” Bowles said. “He’s an ultimate professional.
“He runs on his days off. He eats right. He’s well-prepared and I think he’s figured the game out from a longevity standpoint as far as taking care of his body. He’s done a good job.”
The thing about Suh is the man is versatile. Even in recent weeks, Joe has seen the Bucs line up Suh as a defensive end. That has to totally freak out tackles on the opposite side of the line.
Last year when Vita Vea missed most of the year with a messed up ankle, he credited Suh with putting him on a diet program where Vea did not just lose weight, but that lighter weight helped Vea recover faster and he was able to rejoin the team for the NFC Championship game.
Suh is technically under contract for four more seasons but the contract is voidable. Joe suspects there will be changes to the roster next year. If Joe had to bet, he’d wager Suh returns, especially if Bowles and Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians return.
January 7th, 2022 at 6:11 am
As a FORMER member of the GMC support club, I am truly humbled by the overall play and far greater skill set that Suh has brought to this team. He truly is a well-rounded player and watching him up close makes me think of just how low our standards used to be.
January 7th, 2022 at 6:13 am
Suh loves Tampa. Tampa loves Suh.
January 7th, 2022 at 6:27 am
You need all the Suh’s you can get
January 7th, 2022 at 7:39 am
If we would have had Suh instead of GMC, the lost decade might not have been so lost. Just saying.
January 7th, 2022 at 7:41 am
What Suh may have lost in athleticism, he makes up for with coaching up the younger guys, not unlike Sherm. These guys are what keeps a good team consistently good. That leadership.
January 7th, 2022 at 8:17 am
2nd in the league in TFL , he has not lost much at all. Depending on TB12 staying , easily could play 2 more years. One of the wealthiest players , very smart with his dough.
January 7th, 2022 at 8:21 am
He is still solid. Great effort player.
January 7th, 2022 at 8:22 am
Suh’s the man. Hope he comes back next year.
January 7th, 2022 at 9:20 am
BucsFanSince1976 Says:
January 7th, 2022 at 8:17 am
2nd in the league in TFL , he has not lost much at all. Depending on TB12 staying , easily could play 2 more years.
I am confused by this statement because I do not think that is the case this year.
Fake media?
January 7th, 2022 at 9:28 am
Completely agreed. I felt the same about GMC. Look, GMC was very good but without the benefit of seeing Suh play every Sunday I really thought the two were similarly good but just doing it a different way. Not true. Suh was much better this entire time and he’s going to be in the Hall of Fame. I can’t say that about GMC.
January 7th, 2022 at 9:32 am
Suh is a brilliant guy as well as a great athlete. Vea is extremely fortunate to have had him as a mentor and example during his young career. He has a chance at greatness in the NFL also.
January 7th, 2022 at 9:43 am
GMC maximized the talent he had coming into the league just as Suh did. He just was not as talented after all. If you compared their stats they were not that far apart in their performance level over a given set of years.
Suh may have done a little better if he was here instead of GMC. However, similar to TB, he could only have elevated the entire franchise only so much. Football is a team sport as Brady continually reminds us.
Go Bucs!
January 7th, 2022 at 9:45 am
Jason Says:
January 7th, 2022 at 7:39 am
If we would have had Suh instead of GMC, the lost decade might not have been so lost. Just saying.
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Nah, cuz he still would have been the only guy with talent on the defense besides LVD for that entire period. Results would have been basically the same IMO.
January 7th, 2022 at 10:11 am
Someone mentioned having Suh could’ve prevented the lost decade. I have 2 counterpoints.
#1 – There is no scenario where we would’ve been able to successfully get Suh. Suh was picked before us. The only other 2 considerations drafted in top 10 that year looking back that may have had better careers than McCoy is Eric Berry and Trent Williams.. And you can make arguments on both sides for both players. McCoy was a good pick for that draft class with the information known at the time.
#2 – Suh is the better player and had good individual success early in his career. But it’s not like he was on any successful teams himself until he went to the Rams on an already stacked team that included Aaron Donald. He played on poor Detroit and was almost forgotten in Miami.
Just saying.. Suh is great and am glad we have him at this point over McCoy, but let’s keep it real.
January 7th, 2022 at 10:46 am
Geno 711
Actually Geno you are correct on his TFL this year , What I should have prefaced that statement with was 2nd in the league for DT’s since 2014 only behind Aaron Donald-so no fake news-just too much faith in recollection ability , but being only behind Aaron Donald in any stat category over the last 7 years is pretty amazing.
January 7th, 2022 at 3:03 pm
Suh is the second best defensive tackle in our history and I’d love to have him back for next year.
January 7th, 2022 at 3:12 pm
Suh is a mans man in the NFL. tough as they come.
January 7th, 2022 at 10:17 pm
Suh is the consummate PROFESSIONAL. He simply gives his best at everything he takes on…football..business..whatever.
As for his longevity achievements I totally respect them but if he wants to play till he’s 40 I think he’d be successful.
Reggie White was NFL defensive player of the year at 37/38 and then he retired for a year. He came back after sitting out an entire season and still got 5 1/2 sacks. Reggie White was a great human being…but he was far from a Brady or Suh in his diet and training regimen. But then who was…in fact how many are now…75% of the league?