Two Reasons to Avoid Ndamukong Suh
By Luke Sims
Nov 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
1) Ndamukong Suh is a Distraction
Dating back to his time in college, Suh has had an angry temperament that hasn’t always been good for teams. Ugly incidents on the football field and the lack of sincere remorse make signing Suh a bit of a headache for any GM bold enough to do it. Suh is the NFL’s dirtiest player and doesn’t seem to be willing to change anytime soon.
Bringing a personality like Suh onto a team is going to be a distraction no matter what. You hope it is because of his talent and ability, but as he has proven time and time again his temper makes an appearance and he’ll bring unwelcome attention. If his skills ever drop off, you’re left with an under-performing player who throws tantrums like a toddler.
2) Ndamukong Suh may not stay on the field
Suh is a dirty player, a distraction, and likely to have all eyes on him. That sets him up well to have NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell come down with the hammer at any point due to inappropriate actions taken by Suh. It almost caused him to miss the NFC Wild Card game against the Dallas Cowboys in 2014 before he won an appeal and only paid a $70,000 fine.
It isn’t that Suh can’t stay on the field (he’s only missed two games in his career, due to suspension of course), it’s that anytime there is an outburst (which there will be) the team will be wondering if it’s just another fine or if they have to plan their next week without their top defensive player. That’s a headache and it holds the team hostage as they wait with baited breath week in and week out practically.
So, do his poor decisions, actions, and attitude make him a bad fit for some teams? If former Jags GM Gene Smith was in charge and still picking “high character” guys then, yes. But for many of us, Suh’s mean streak may just be what some teams need.