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Ndamukong Suh: NFL Draft Begs The Question - What Are His Weaknesses?

The NFL draft is still a ways away, but the draft order has been set. I've been asked by a couple of the SB Nation NFL sites to profile Ndamukong Suh. Here's the email regarding the profile:

Can you provide us with a brief writeup on Suh...his strengths/weaknesses, what kind of defense he'd flourish in, what NFL player, if any, that he reminds you of, what are his overall prospects for success in the NFL.

Here's the answers I'm going to give them, and I'm certainly interested in any opinions you might have.

Star-divide

Defense

I'm not going to pretend that I know about NFL defenses.... well, yes, I guess I am. The one place I can't see Suh playing is as a nose tackle in a 3-4 defense. He just doesn't have the size for that position, and being caught up in the middle would waste his agility. He could play as a defensive end in the 3-4, as he's got the speed to hold the edge and provide pass rushing as well.

I can see him excelling at defensive tackle or end in the 4-3. As a tackle, he could use his arm strength to keep blockers off him and his athleticism to disrupt passing lanes. He'd also hold his own in the running game, and his ability to snuff out screens would benefit at that position.

NFL Player He Reminds Me Of


If I say Suh reminds me of Warren Sapp am I committing blasphemy? I've have to admit that I never disliked Warren Sapp... in fact, I'll admit - I liked the guy a lot. First of all, we beat his team (along with Ray Lewis) for a national title. I also liked the fire with which he played. Where the comparison breaks down is between Suh's quiet strength and Sapp's constant need to run his mouth.

Another thought would be Reggie White. White had the best bull-rushing ability of all time, and as much as I like Suh, I'm not sure he is better than White in this regard.

If you've got some good comparisons here, I'd love to hear them as well.

Prospects for Success

Suh's prospects are very high. Other than a ticket for a minor traffic altercation (which could happen to anyone), I can't think of a single time that Suh has caused problems or done anything negative. He's a decent guy, he's respectful of others and he's a leader. He has no baggage, which makes him even more desirable for NFL teams. It's no wonder the guy won so many awards.


Weaknesses?

This is where I'm lost. It may be homerific, but I really can't think of any weaknesses Suh has, with the exception of the size necessary to hold down the middle in a 3-4. He's a smart player and has a great understanding of the game. He's quick, and more agile than nearly anyone his size has ever been in college. He's got great hands. He's versatile. What the heck are his weaknesses?

There has to be something.... perhaps his biggest weakness is his name, although I have to believe that if he has one fourth the success he had in college, NFL announcers will be more than willing to learn how to properly pronounce "Ndamukong" and leave that "Mr Suh" stuff behind.  

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Gotta love the big man...

He gave up a lot of money to come back to college and risk his health for a senior season (and a diploma).

Most of the VERY minor defects in his game were fixed by the end of the season. His hesitation stutter-step against VT gave Taylor a one in a million shot to make that winning TD pass. He certainly didn’t make the same mistake vs. Mccoy, another very mobile QB. That’s the only time I can remember all season where I actually yelled at Suh through the TV. Then I promptly forgave him because he’s amazing.

-He also doesn’t get frustrated or give penalties when double/triple-teamed and held every play. The guy plays for the team

-Who else is looking forward to this guy picking up Romo/Manning/Brady and tossing him 20 yards like an old lawn chair? This is going to be great!

by js17 on Jan 13, 2010 8:06 AM CST reply actions  

Perhaps SUHperman's Kryptonite was...

Callahan and Cosgrove. And since Callahan is only dealing with the offense (on my Jets, as it happens), and Cosgrove isn’t in the NFL, he should be good to go.

by Wolvie on Jan 13, 2010 9:28 AM CST reply actions  

Suh did get called

For a lot of personal fouls this year, though most of them were for some variation of “hitting too hard.” He’s not a hothead, though — just goes hard all the way to the whistle and sometimes just a split-second past it.

by Cheeseandcorn on Jan 13, 2010 2:54 PM CST reply actions  

Weakness

I have heard a few “experts” say his weakness is the lack of any true technique at the DT position. For all we know, he has great technique, but when you have enough brut strength to overpower every offensive guard/center/running back put in your way, who cares about technique.

by newbie34 on Jan 13, 2010 4:06 PM CST reply actions  

If his

technique is flawed they will work it out quickly in the NFL. He is a smart guy willing to learn which will make him even that much more attractive to draft. A guy with all his god given ability, plus room to get better, and the willingness to continue to learn. That isn’t a combo that many overall #1’shave, they usually have that huge ego to match. But he will need good technique in the NFL those offensive linemen at that level are leaps and bounds better than the ones in college.

by Huzkerfan on Jan 13, 2010 5:48 PM CST reply actions  

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