Lomax to Green 84
Hall of Famer
I really could care less about the 40 time Terrell Suggs put up last week. The game tape shows that he is exceptionally quick, but the weight issue may be a bit of a concern. Suggs talked after the workout about having to get used to the extra weight. That statement didn't particularly bother me, because he will eventually get used to the weight, but the fact that he had to "bulk up" just to get to 257 is a bit concerning. I know that heights and weights are constantly inflated in the NFL, but if Terrell Suggs were to start on opening day at 257 lbs, according to my 2002 Peterson's Preview book he would be the lightest defensvie end in the league.
I have never claimed to be an expert on anything, but I do pride myself on my memory, and let me take a moment to help revive a nightmarish memory: the 1999 and 2000 Cardinals and those pathetic 5 man defensive fronts we played to help mask our undersized speed rushers (Rice and Wadsworth). Anybody else still have nightmares over those pathetic, worthless 5 man fronts who still got steamrolled even with 5 linemen? I know I don't dare want to relive those times and I fear that as good as Suggs is at rushing the passer, he is going to get absolulely killed in the running game at a bulked up 257 lbs. Realistically, Suggs is probably a 245-250 pound defensive end who took the advice of his agent and got up to the 255-260 pound range for his workouts. The 40 time and the less than stellar drill workouts may not have much bearing on his on the field play, but they may indicate that he is better served to play at his natural weight (245-250 lbs) instead of a weight trained inflated pre-draft weight.
I am starting to be swayed into believing that Suggs would be the best fit, but we need to come to the realization that the Cards may have to be very creative in masking his deficiencies. Even take a look at his college game tapes and you will see that the Sun Devils defensive staff had to do some creative things with Suggs. Rarely did they ever just leave him at right end. Instead they moved him all over the place and although that sounds great, it isn't as realistic in the NFL. Bouncing him back and forth from right end to left end, to outside backer is eerily reminiscent to the way the Cards used Rice. Sure it was designed to create pressure on the quarterback, but it was also used to help mask Rice's obvious run stopping deficiencies. Terrell Suggs may have a totally different attitude than Rice when it comes to stopping the run, but reality is that he is a very small end who will need help.
Criticize away. I am getting used to it by now.
I have never claimed to be an expert on anything, but I do pride myself on my memory, and let me take a moment to help revive a nightmarish memory: the 1999 and 2000 Cardinals and those pathetic 5 man defensive fronts we played to help mask our undersized speed rushers (Rice and Wadsworth). Anybody else still have nightmares over those pathetic, worthless 5 man fronts who still got steamrolled even with 5 linemen? I know I don't dare want to relive those times and I fear that as good as Suggs is at rushing the passer, he is going to get absolulely killed in the running game at a bulked up 257 lbs. Realistically, Suggs is probably a 245-250 pound defensive end who took the advice of his agent and got up to the 255-260 pound range for his workouts. The 40 time and the less than stellar drill workouts may not have much bearing on his on the field play, but they may indicate that he is better served to play at his natural weight (245-250 lbs) instead of a weight trained inflated pre-draft weight.
I am starting to be swayed into believing that Suggs would be the best fit, but we need to come to the realization that the Cards may have to be very creative in masking his deficiencies. Even take a look at his college game tapes and you will see that the Sun Devils defensive staff had to do some creative things with Suggs. Rarely did they ever just leave him at right end. Instead they moved him all over the place and although that sounds great, it isn't as realistic in the NFL. Bouncing him back and forth from right end to left end, to outside backer is eerily reminiscent to the way the Cards used Rice. Sure it was designed to create pressure on the quarterback, but it was also used to help mask Rice's obvious run stopping deficiencies. Terrell Suggs may have a totally different attitude than Rice when it comes to stopping the run, but reality is that he is a very small end who will need help.
Criticize away. I am getting used to it by now.
