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Ndamukong Suh is Gone, So it’s Time For Detroit Lions’ Fans to Move On

By Max DeMara

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It’s been a few days since Ndamukong Suh officially left the Detroit Lions for the Miami Dolphins and nearly a week since it first became obvious the defensive tackle was set to leave town.

Since, the Lions have worked to bring in two replacements with Haloti Ngata and Tyrunn Walker being added to the team at the position. Ngata’s an elite player with plenty left to give.

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Yet, there is still an undercurrent of wonder and slight animosity as it relates to Suh. Folks still seem miffed that the big defensive tackle walked. Many seem to even feel insulted or offended.

Before the hatred gets out of hand and spirals out of control to jersey-burning and slanderous levels, let’s get one thing straight: Suh’s gone and not coming back, and now that he’s gone, it’s time to move on from him as a Lion completely.

That means thanking him quietly for what he did in Detroit, leaving him alone as far as the insults go, and looking forward to what the Lions have coming to them in the future. Could Detroit have matched Miami’s deal? Would Suh have accepted it? Did he want to stay, or did he have his mind out of town forever?

We’ll never know.

Those are all pointless details now.

Wednesday, Ngata himself provided the ideal response to the situation. When he was asked about replacing Suh and more specifically, the deal he got in Miami, the new defensive tackle brushed off the question with some hardened courtesy.

“Ndamukong’s a great player, (it’s a) well deserved contract he got and I don’t see myself as Ndamukong Suh,” Ngata said. “He’s made Pro Bowls, I’ve made Pro Bowls and I play my game. Hopefully it helps the team win.”

This is where you’re at, Lions’ fans. Ngata is the new sheriff in town, and his attitude is already good, as has been his play. Suh is gone, and no amount of wondering and worrying about the past is going to bring him back. Adapt or die. Put up or shut up.

Suh is gone, and no amount of wondering and worrying about the past is going to bring him back. Adapt or die. Put up or shut up.

The reality is, sports isn’t about loyalty anymore. Players leave teams for their own reasons, and teams make personnel decisions based on a litany of issues. It certainly would have been nice to hear Martin Mayhew and Tom Lewand’s side of that story, but for whatever reason, that didn’t happen. It’s a shame, but it is what it is.

Embrace Ngata and don’t judge him as if he’s Suh nor endlessly compare the two players. They’re different. Move on from the player that gave you four solid years and appreciate what he did while still looking forward to the future.

That’s the only path that can logically be taken from here on out.

Next: Quotes from Haloti Ngata's Introductory Presser

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