Detroit Lions: Why They Must Re-sign Ndamukong Suh

It seems like a no-brainer and inevitably it appears it will happen.

But for the Detroit Lions, it is simply imperative that they bring back the player with the loudest roar in the Motor City these days.

In five seasons with the franchise, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has been named to the Pro Bowl four times. He hasn’t made many friends when it comes to the opposition due to his numerous missteps and ill-advised stomps. But he has helped changed the culture when it comes to the defensive identity of this club. It wasn’t that long ago that the Lions were a laughing stock when it came to the defensive side of the football.

In each of the three seasons prior to Suh’s arrival (2007-09), when he was the second overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Lions allowed the most total yards in the league. Not coincidentally, Detroit also gave up the most points in the league in each of those three campaigns.

In 2008, when the Lions would complete the first and only 0-16 season in NFL history, the team surrendered 517 points – the second-most allowed by a team in league annals.

Then came a MAN named Suh and slowly but surely the defense began to turn the corner. It didn’t happen overnight and he certainly didn’t do it alone but a tone was beginning to be set, at least on that side of the football.

Dec 22, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) and wide receiver Kris Durham (18) stand around during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at Ford Field. Giants beat the Lions 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

It all came together this past season when the Lions emerged as one of the better and most consistent defensive units in the league. Only the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks gave up fewer yards and only Seattle and Kansas City allowed fewer points than Jim Caldwell’s team this past season. And make no mistake, this was a team driven by its defense and not the play of quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Calvin Johnson and an offensive unit that not long ago had few problems putting points on the board against any club.

The Lions scored 321 points just one season after totaling 395 points. The offense was ranked 19th in the NFL in total yards gained compared to sixth in the league in 2013. Only four teams in the NFL gained fewer yards rushing than Detroit this past season. Caldwell’s club managed only 33 offensive touchdowns in 2014, 11 fewer than the season before (44). But one positive was the fact that the Lions turned over the ball only 20 times in 16 regular-season games, compared to coughing up the ball 44 times in ’13.

Yes, it was the defense that kept this club in games until Stafford and company found a way to win them in the fourth quarter. Detroit’s 11 wins were the most by the club since finishing 12-4 in 1991. Suh and his 8.5 sacks spearheaded a pass rush that produced 42 sacks, nine more than in 2013.

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) scores on a touchdown run as he is hit by Detroit Lions outside linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) during the third quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin deserves his share of kudos as well as the line of Suh, ends Ziggy Ansah and Jason Jones and valuable reserves such as defensive tackles George Johnson and C.J. Mosley (who took over for Nick Fairley) made life easier for outside linebacker DeAndre Levy and ball-hawking free safety Glover Quin.

So there was a change of identity in the Motor City this past season. A team known for its “Megatron” played mega-defense for vast majority of the season.

If the Lions are ever to reach the Super Bowl (they remain the lone NFC team not to make an appearance), the key is defense and the catalyst is Suh. There’s a big reason he would command such a price on the open market and his current team must make sure that never comes to pass.

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