The former Detroit Lions defensive tackle is on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ radar, and the team is hoping to keep him happy after he showed up to camp notably uncooperative. The three-time All Pro Suh, who reportedly turned down a deal starting at $100 million, will be playing in a contract year in 2017.
Most football fans are unaware that there are two Ndamukong Suhs: the hard-hitting, havoc-wreaking defensive tackle who terrorizes opposing offenses, and the charismatic and nonviolent leader who yells at kids to pick up their trash and drives a forklift. The latter Suh has been brought into the fold in Tampa Bay, where he’s now a full-time member of the Buccaneers defense.
Ndamukong Suh was born into the NFL when he was selected by the Detroit Lions as the twelfth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Suh had been known as a football player with a fierce attitude who wore his heart on his sleeve; he had led the Lions in tackles the previous three seasons. By the time the 2012 season rolled around, however, things had changed.
Ndamukong Suh used to be one of the NFL’s most heinous characters. But his career trajectory has gone full circle, and in the leadership role he plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ younger players, he is as bit as important as Tom Brady.
Suh was re-signed to a one-year contract by the Buccaneers as part of management’s effort to keep last year’s Super Bowl team intact. He’s spent no time in assuming his position as a coach and instructor for certain defensive players trying to make the reigning champions’ team.
Ndamukong Suh used to be the bad boy of the NFL.
At Nebraska, Ndamukong Suh was one of the most dominating defensive players in school history. He was the No. 2 overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft and was selected All-Pro in his first season. Despite this, he soon acquired the moniker “dirty player,” which appeared to overshadow his football prowess.
Suh got himself into a lot of controversy in November 2011 after he stepped on former Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Evan Dietrich-Smith. The next November, the former Nebraska Cornhusker was at it again, kicking former Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub in the crotch region.
Those two instances were the start of a series of obnoxious behavior. During the 2013 season, Suh was penalized many times for excessive blocks and hits. In 2014, he was involved in yet another high-profile stomping incident, this time with Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Suh’s antics grew excessive despite making five Pro Bowl teams and being selected All-Pro three times. He’d developed a bad boy image that made him one of the league’s most infamous villains.
Suh, on the other hand, has mostly restored his reputation in Tampa Bay. After guiding the Buccaneers to the Lombardi Trophy, he is now assuming the role of leader.
Suh is the Buccaneers’ Tom Brady on defense.
As Ndamukong Suh prepares for his third season in Tampa, the Buccaneers are thrilled to have him — and he’ll be thrilled to earn a second ring to give to both of his twin sons. https://t.co/R25EypUEzI
August 17, 2021 — ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk)
Ndamukong Suh is now the father of twin sons. He’s also someone that the Buccaneers’ young players go to for guidance.
Bucs head coach Bruce Arians likened Suh to Tom Brady because of the intangibles he has given in camp. Brady is recognized as one of the greatest leaders in professional sports, so this is high praise.
Pro Football Talk quoted Arians as saying, “Tremendous leadership.” “I’m talking about educating men how to take care of themselves. He’s been a huge help to Vita [Vea] with his nutrition and other things. Suh, like [Tom] Brady, understands the importance of taking care of his body. He has a routine. When we signed him, he persuaded me to do it. I’m not going to change his routine because of the way he plays. He understands how to prepare for Sunday. Suh is one of those men that will always answer the doorbell. “All you have to do is get him there.”
Suh seems to have settled with his new surroundings in Tampa Bay. He expressed gratitude to Arians, general manager Jason Licht, and the Glazer family for enabling him to return to the Bucs and compete for a second championship ring. His twin sons are dividing the lone ring in his trophy cabinet, therefore he reasoned that ring is required.
In 2021, the Buccaneers have a good chance of repeating as Super Bowl winners, with Suh and the rest of the defense aiming to cement their supremacy.
The defense of Tampa Bay sets the tone.
In 2021, Suh and the Buccaneers’ defense will want to set the tone once again | Getty Images/Mike Ehrmann
Yes, Tom Brady won the Super Bowl MVP award in February. As football fans have come to anticipate every winter, he was brilliant on the grandest platform.
Even yet, it’s difficult to overlook the reality that the Buccaneers’ defense set the tone for the game.
Tampa Bay was all over the field chasing Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Suh had 1.5 sacks and four pressures for the defensive front, which caused continuous mayhem in the backfield.
Tampa Bay’s defensive pressure throughout that game served as a reminder that, although Brady is the star, the Bucs defense is as outstanding as any in the league. After all, in 2020, it was ranked seventh in defensive scoring.
As Tampa Bay attempts to win back-to-back Super Bowls, the defensive unit will be crucial to the team’s success. Suh, for one, is expected to continue to embrace his role as a leader on this Buccaneers team.
Pro Football Reference provided the statistics.
RELATED: During a helmet-slamming brawl at training camp, Tom Brady cursed out a few Buccaneers teammates.
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