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It is that time of year again and reports are swirling that the Washington Redskins are interested in Ndamukong Suh. The Detroit Lions’ Pro Bowl defensive tackle and widely-known nasty guy was not franchised by his team and thus has a chance to leave the Motor City.
My immediate thoughts to the news were:
1) I didn’t hear this from any of my “sources” but, oh well… no harm, no foul. A source is a source for a source.
2) I thought, “OK… this is not big news because, who would not be interested in a four-time Pro Bowl tackle who controls the middle of the field?”
and;
3) The national media is, yet again, pinning another off-season story on the Redskins because well, the Redskins have done this damage to themselves before, resulting in them being the whipping boy for sensationalism and organizational cynicism.
Even though the team has made moves to correct the off-season glory of years past, they will always — at least for the next few years — be linked to every breaking news report coming out of NFL circles. Is it fair? No. Is it warranted? Maybe. Is it a big deal? No.
The Redskins finally did what most fans and we media hacks have yearned for them to do for years and brought in a general manager in every sense of the word. If Scot McCloughan thinks that Suh is worth the money, and money is what it will take to bring him to Washington, D.C., then so be it. This is not another Albert Haynesworth situation. “Big Al” was coming off of one dominant year and he took the money Redskins’ owner Dan Snyder gave him and ran. That defensive tackle played every game of his Redskins career with a black ski mask on under his helmet because he sure robbed the Burgundy and Gold.
Suh, 28, has had a fast track to Canton, Ohio up until this point. He has done more damage on the field to opponents than many who play his position but seems to be viewed as a dirty player. I wrote just the other day that the Redskins would do themselves a favor by drafting a “dog” on the defensive front. Imagine if they drafted one of those dogs (Leonard Williams or Danny Shelton) and then brought in a wolf. Overnight, regardless of monies spent, the team’s defensive unit would be feared. At the end of the day, that’s what it is all about… knowing that your opponent is concerned about playing against you.
Fans and some of my colleagues need to stop making the comparison of Suh to Haynesworth and overreacting. When a player like Suh hits the open market, every team owes it to themselves to do their due diligence.
To put things in perspective, look at other players at Suh’s position.
Gerald McCoy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has blossomed into arguably the best DT in the game. He has had two back-to-back monster seasons for the Bucs, posting 9.5- (2013) and 8.5- (2014) sack seasons respectively. He was drafted in the first round in 2010, the same year as Suh. Over his career he has 27 sacks and 154 tackles.
Pro Bowler Terrance Knighton (Denver Broncos) will be a sought after free agent this offseason much like Suh and has one more season under his belt having entered the league 2009. His is considered one of the best at his position and his impressive numbers back that notion. Over his career he has 12.5 sacks and 201 tackles. Another top DT is Marcell Dareus with the Buffalo Bills. At 25 years of age and having played one less year than Suh, there is no argument from me that he could vie for being considered the league’s best in any conversation. Over a four-year span he has posted impressive numbers, logging 28.5 sacks and 202 tackles. All of these defensive tackles are worthy of being considered by teams when they become free agents.
But if you look at Suh’s numbers, there is a reason that the Redskins — and probably 31 other teams — have sharpened their pencils over the past few days. The man’s stats absolutely jump off of the charts. Over his five seasons in the league he has posted 36 sacks and 239 tackles. That’s 7.5 more sacks and 37 more tackles than any other player at his position that is considered elite. Can you say, “I’m interested if I have the funds?”
Ever heard of the saying ‘you have to pay to play?’ Well, there’s no use in just watching from the bench if you have the resources. The last time I looked, the Redskins have the financial resources to “play” and they now have a better evaluator of talent in the building. McCloughan has a proven track record.
With so much news likely to generate big stories, fans need to stay calm while all of their teams work the phones. Just yesterday, the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to trade All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy to Buffalo for middle linebacker Kiko Alonso in a head-scratch of a move. I’m sure Eagles’ head coach Chip Kelly had a reason and a motive… although it’s hard to buy it.
Moves will be contemplated and moves will be made but, until the ink dries, stay calm. As fans you will have plenty of opportunities to stress once the season starts.
