There will be a lot of talk in the coming months about where Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh might end up next season. The three-time All-Pro is set to become a free agent in March, and it’s a near certainty that the Lions are going to let him test the market.
Known as a passionate player to some and as a dirty player to others, Suh is going to receive a tremendous amount of interest on the free agent market.
And with the Oakland Raiders set to have cap room in excess of $50 million, it seems they are a logical fit. Current Raiders defensive lineman Justin Tuck seems to agree (Detroit Free Press).
“(He’s) Raider-ish,” Tuck said on Radio Row during Super Bowl Week. “And that’s one of the reasons why I know Raider Nation would applaud that move, beyond the fact that he’s an awesome football player. He kind of fits the mold of … the toughness and the ferocious player that built the Oakland Raiders.”
We are long removed from an era of Raiders football where they were seen as the bullies of the league. That came back in the 1970’s and early 1980’s with defensive stalwarts such as Howie Long and Jack Tatum lining up for the Silver and Black.
Getting back to that bully mentality is something new head coach Jack Del Rio obviously wants to accomplish. With a few emerging stars on defense, Khalil Mack and Sio Moore included, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Oakland look for that anchor upfront. It has the money and it has the need. Now whether Suh wants to join a clear rebuilding project, that’s a completely different story.
Suh finished this past season with 54 tackles and 8.5 sacks while earning first-team All-Pro honors. He would be a huge addition for Del Rio’s defense.
Photo: USA Today