Oakland Raiders: Pros and Cons of Signing Ndamukong Suh

Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jimmy Clausen (8) throws a pass while being pressured by Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Pro: Gets to the Quarterback with Ease

In Suh’s five-year career with the Lions, Suh has recorded 36 sacks, 36 stuffs for 85 stuffed yards, and 15 defended passes. The Raiders’ defensive line has struggled to pressure the quarterback in the pocket, for many seasons. Despite adding players like Richard Seymour in seasons past and adding Justin Tuck last year, the Raider defense has not been efficient in pressuring the quarterback.

However, the Raiders have some promising talent in terms of quarterback pressure players in Khalil Mack and Sio Moore, who proved multiple times over the course of the season that they could get to the quarterback.

Adding Suh would allow the Raiders to have a true leader and someone who could help the young players grow and blossom into efficient defenders. Suh and Tuck have both been proven quarterback attackers, and having both players would bolster a youthful and growing Oakland defensive line.

Con: Has Issues Playing Cleanly

While Suh is an incredible defensive player, he has a lot issues playing cleanly. He is known for his overly aggressive play style and is often referred to as a dirty player. His most recent offense was his stomp on Aaron Rodgers in the Lions’ last regular season game.

In a sense, that is the perfect type of player for the Raiders but, the Raiders organization has worked hard to reduce the amount of undisciplined plays over the last few seasons. Suh, in his five seasons, has had 35 accepted penalties called on him and one that resulted in an ejection.

Suh has had four roughing the passer penalties, three face mask calls, three illegal use of the hands, two unnecessary roughness calls, one horse collar, one illegal block above the waist, and one un-sportsman like conduct penalty called. These penalties account for 15 of his 35 penalties, so about 43 percent of his penalties are for playing too roughly.

In his first two seasons, Suh collected 10 personal fouls, and in his career, he has been fined eight times and suspended once. If Suh can control himself, he would be a great addition to the Raiders, but his tendency to be overly aggressive might set the Raiders back to their old ways.

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