After an impressive rookie campaign, Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has struggled to make as noticeable an impact this season. What many fail to realize is that the interior of the defensive line is the second most unheralded position on the field, next to the offensive line. Players aren’t supposed to make tackles, or accumulate inordinate amounts of sacks, but rather take up blocks, clog running lanes, and free up other players to make these plays. Anything else is a bonus. This has to be difficult for someone who is used to being the star, the playmaker, and the most feared player on the field. These frustrations came to a boiling point on Thanksgiving Day with the infamous “stomp” of Packer guard Evan Dietrich-Smith by Suh, costing him a two game suspension, a lot of money, and a trip to the Pro Bowl.

This matchup in Green Bay will be one to watch, especially if the Packers rest some of their starters. Regardless of whether Rodgers or Flynn are taking snaps, Green Bay features a passing attack, and pressure is the best way to stop it. It will be interesting to see if Suh can remain satisfied as a role player, allowing his teammates to make plays, or if his frustrations will come to a head again against the Pack. Somehow Dietrich-Smith was able to irritate, agitate, and provoke Suh more than any other player in his career which makes this matchup so intriguing, and so integral to each team’s success.

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As every NFL fan is aware, Ndamukong Suh was reinstated to the Lions’ active roster earlier this week following his two game suspension. The Pro-Bowl ballot leading defensive tackle couldn’t return at a more urgent time considering the injury situation to the Lion front. Defensive tackle Nick Fairley is questionable after re-aggravating his foot injury against New Orleans two weeks ago, and Cliff Avril has a sore ankle. Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch was so drained following last week’s exhausting victory over the Minnesota Vikings that he need an IV in the locker room post game.

Sammie Hill filled in adequately over the past two weeks in Suh’s absence, but while his performance was acceptable, it was a far cry from the dominance that Suh is capable of. With two weeks to recover, rest, and stew in anger, the much maligned defensive tackle should be primed for one of his game changing dominant performances, and at a key time for his teammates. The Lions will be facing a strong rushing attack, even with the expected absence of Darren McFadden. Michael bush is a power runner, and the Lions have shown weakness in their run defense. Detroit also has a banged up defense on all three levels, so a refreshed Ndamukong Suh wreaking havoc in the opposing backfield should help to compensate for other areas of deficiency. (more…)

Photo taken by Michael Olsen

Ndamukong Suh vs. His own aggressiveness

The apparent turnaround of the Detroit Lion franchise can be credited to many, but most will agree that Ndamukong Suh is the catalyst around which this team is built. The drafting and subsequent success of Suh turned the Detroit defensive line into a strength, and gave the franchise a new attitude going forward. Thus far this season Suh has not lived up to expectations, which to be fair, are quite lofty after an impressive rookie campaign. Much of this can be attributed to teams scheming against him, and often double teaming him in passing situations, but the week five loss to San Francisco exposed a major liability in the second year defensive tackle.

It has often been stated that Suh’s aggressive style would end up hurting his team more than helping, and that was never more evident than last Sunday. On both of Frank Gore’s backbreaking runs, of 47 and 55 yards, the 49ers offensive line didn’t bother to touch Suh. Instead, they let his over aggressive and often selfish need to sack the quarterback do most of the work for him. Suh exploded through the offensive line untouched, and out of control, only to be trapped by reserve tight end Delaney Walker, leaving a gaping running lane exposed where Suh should have been.

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