Ndamukong Suh is expected to attend Miami Dolphins voluntary OTAs this week. This is a surprising development, albeit one that should be highly beneficial.
The star defensive end skipped out on workouts after one day last month, and Suh is known for missing voluntary workouts in the past. Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post provided the report, per a source.
He also provided this backdrop:
“Suh regularly skipped voluntary OTAs while he was with the Lions so he could work out with his private trainer. But the Dolphins gave him a massive 6-year $114 million control and coach Joe Philbin has been vocal about his desire for every player to attend OTAs.”
Abramson also notes Suh isn’t obliged to attend any team sessions until the Dolphin’s three-day minicamp, which begins on June 16.
Many in the national media have been vocal in their displeasure at Suh’s absence thus far this offseason since his initial appearance in April. As the team’s highest-paid player, many believe Suh is obliged to lead by example. In their eyes, by not showing up he was providing poor leadership.
Jenny Vrentas of the MMQB singled him out recently for this very reason:
“You might prefer your own trainer, but getting in shape isn’t the issue,” Vrentas wrote. “You’re missing out on valuable time to learn a new defense and getting to know the teammates you’re supposed to be leading.”
Perhaps Suh’s ears were burning, hence the reported change of heart.
Or, perhaps Suh has planned on showing up for this week’s OTAs all along but didn’t bother telling anyone until now.
Either way, his presence in the locker room, the weight room, the film room and on the practice field can only solidify his status as a leader for the Dolphins. Furthermore, it is a good-faith gesture to the organization that he now represents and that wants him to mentor young defensive players.
If Suh does follow through and shows up this week, then Dolphins fans will surely have reason for optimism this summer.
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