Detroit Lions: 5 Offseason Moves to make if Suh leaves
Dec 22, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions outside linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) celebrates after making a play during the second quarter against the New York Giants at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Extend DeAndre Levy’s Contract
While the attention is rightfully on the 2014 free agent class, general manager Martin Mayhew shouldn’t forget about the players heading for a contract year in 2015. Top of that list: Linebacker DeAndre Levy.
Levy is another major piece to the Lions’ defense, and he is coming off the back of an excellent 2014 season. He combined for 151 tackles and 2.5 sacks–both career-bests. Levy also registered five pass defenses, 15 stuffs and an interception.
Per Justin Rogers of MLive, Lions general manager Martin Mayhew met with Levy’s agent at February’s NFL Scouting Combine to discuss the potential of an extension.
"“I’m not opposed to it. I obviously want him to be here a long time, but, you know, we obviously have some other big fish in the pan right now,” Mayhew said."
The Lions may have ‘other big fish in the pan’, but if they don’t learn from their mistakes of not re-signing Suh early, this particular fish may swim away.
It’s not just Levy’s ability to make plays that makes him so important; he is a leader of the defense, and he truly plays like one. According to Detroit News, Levy played in every single defensive snap for the Lions in 2014.
Joique Bell asked to name the leader of the Lions. He says DeAndre Levy.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) February 6, 2015
If the Lions have learnt anything from the decision to extend Suh’s contract early, it should be to not make the same mistake with Levy. Take care of the 2015 free agents first, but the attention has to then turn immediately to ensuring Levy remains a Lion. Should Suh walk, this has to be one of the top priorities for Mayhew.
DeAndre Levy Career Stats
| Games | Def Interceptions | Fumbles | Sacks & Tackles | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Age | Tm | G | GS | Sk | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | Fmb | FR | Yds | Tkl | Ast | Sfty | AV |
| 2009 | 22 | DET | 16 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 54 | 24 | 4 | ||
| 2010 | 23 | DET | 11 | 11 | 2 | 41 | 1 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 50 | 22 | 6 | ||
| 2011 | 24 | DET | 16 | 16 | 1.0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 73 | 36 | 8 | |
| 2012 | 25 | DET | 14 | 13 | 1 | -1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 55 | 25 | 6 | ||
| 2013 | 26 | DET | 16 | 16 | 6 | 76 | 1 | 66 | 15 | 85 | 32 | 9 | ||||||
| 2014 | 27 | DET | 16 | 16 | 2.5 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 5 | 121 | 34 | 1 | 14 | ||||
| Career | 89 | 82 | 3.5 | 12 | 141 | 2 | 66 | 33 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 438 | 173 | 1 | 47 |
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/6/2015.
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