Lions looking into trading Suh

[ThomasTomasz]

The Lions are exploring trading standoung defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, according to Bleacher Report.

Suh hasn't attended the start of Detroit's voluntary offseason workouts, he'll make a base salary of $12.55 million this season (and will count $22.4 million against the 2014 salary cap) and because he's considered a team leader (as well as one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL), this has struck some in the organization as disappointing.

Or, at least, a little bit curious, especially as the team tries to get integrated with a new coaching staff.

CBSSports.com NFL Insider Pat Kirwan explored the idea of trading Suh a few months ago -- Kirwan concluded that it might be a good idea -- and now, Detroit reportedly is talking to teams about doing exactly that.

As Mike Freeman writes, the discussions are preliminary and not necessarily serious. They're more due diligence than anything else and in Freeman's words the Lions are "covering their asses."

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, though, says a Lions official told him that the team is "uneqivocally" not trading Suh and that there have been no trade discussions.

But the idea that these chats are happening -- or that somebody somewhere wants us to think these chats are happening -- shows that Detroit isn't completely sure that Suh is in its future plans.

"What the Lions are doing is standard operating procedure," one team executive told Freeman. "Just in case they don't think they can sign him, they're preparing for worst case. It's smart."

Signing him won't be cheap, and it might not be easy either.

As former NFL agent Joel Corry writes, a franchise tag for Suh in 2015 would cost about $26.87 million, and that gives Suh plenty of leverage to land a friendly long-term extension with Detroit if the Lions want to keep him.

If not, they'd be letting go of a high-impact player when he's in his prime (Suh turned 27 in January).

That's why a trade, if it can find one, might be the best option for Detroit and its salary cap situation. Especially since, as Freeman writes, the team is still worried about Suh's on-field self-control.

But more than that, it's telling that Suh has decided not to show up with his teammates for offseason workouts.

More from Freeman:

"Suh is a captain beginning with a new coaching staff. This would have been the perfect time to make a positive impression on his new bosses. Instead, he decided to stay home. It's irrelevant that he could still show up to mini-camp or training camp in shape. It's more about leadership. He's a captain, and captains are usually the men who set the examples."

Whether Suh can be a leader who ultimately gets a huge payday with his current team remains to be seen.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...ons-have-looked-into-trading-dt-ndamukong-suh

 

[mgoblue2290]

Not happening. The mini camp absence is a non issue. He's never been to one.

 

[MrBill]

Suh is a head case. I'd be shocked if the Lions traded away their 2nd best player though.

 

[krulmichael]

Suh is not even a head case, it's the damn media that keeps portraying him as a complete asshole. The guy has never attended voluntary camps and just because it's a new coaching staff the media is blowing it out of proportion. I'd be willing bet we reach a contract extension before the season starts.

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[NAHSTE]

:lol:

What a dysfunctional organization.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Suh is not even a head case, it's the damn media that keeps portraying him as a complete asshole. The guy has never attended voluntary camps and just because it's a new coaching staff the media is blowing it out of proportion. I'd be willing bet we reach a contract extension before the season starts.

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Same thing happened to Desean Jackson and not attending the start of workouts because of a planned vacation. No coverage that he actually showed up less than a week later, though.

Only thing I can give to Suh is that, with a new staff, he should have shown up to the first one, or at least one when he was able. That's about it.

 

[Primetime]

Suh is not even a head case, it's the damn media that keeps portraying him as a complete asshole. The guy has never attended voluntary camps and just because it's a new coaching staff the media is blowing it out of proportion. I'd be willing bet we reach a contract extension before the season starts.

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His onfield actions keep portraying him as a complete asshole*

 

[krulmichael]

His onfield actions keep portraying him as a complete asshole*

What did he do last season?

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[MrBill]

What did he do last season?

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I think he had something like $150K in fines last season. Though that was nothing compared to the season prior.

 

[Hasselbeck]

No one is trading for a guy with a $22M cap figure unless that guys name is "Aaron Rodgers"

Of course the Lions are "entertaining" trade offers.. that's code for "if we don't get this guy to agree to an extension we are f'd"

 

[ThomasTomasz]

No one is trading for a guy with a $22M cap figure unless that guys name is "Aaron Rodgers"

Of course the Lions are "entertaining" trade offers.. that's code for "if we don't get this guy to agree to an extension we are f'd"

Eh, they can listen to offers and if they find an offer they like and agree to, the other team can ask the league office for a small window to try and negotiate a contract extension to erase that cap hit for this year.

 

[Hasselbeck]

Eh, they can listen to offers and if they find an offer they like and agree to, the other team can ask the league office for a small window to try and negotiate a contract extension to erase that cap hit for this year.

Well I mean, post FA.. how many teams have that much cap space to fit Suh under their cap plus a desire to fork over draft compensation to boot? The Lions are almost better off just having Suh for one more year and to continue to try to negotiate an extension in the mean time.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

I love me some SUH. Guy is an animal and always angry. Dats a real foozbol playa.

 

[Buzzman]

Wouldnt be the end of the world to trade him. Especially if we got some value.

 

[Primetime_OU]

Lions were done the day Barry Sanders retired. And with the vikings getting better and bears and the always good packers, if I'm Suh I'd want traded


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[krulmichael]

Lions were done the day Barry Sanders retired. And with the vikings getting better and bears and the always good packers, if I'm Suh I'd want traded


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The Vikings :lol2:

And way to sound like the average joe blow sports guy.

 

[buckeye]

His onfield actions keep portraying him as a complete asshole*

^^^^ this ^^^^ how many legitimate unsportsmanlike conduct penalties did he have last year?

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[buckeye]

No one is trading for a guy with a $22M cap figure unless that guys name is "Aaron Rodgers"

Of course the Lions are "entertaining" trade offers.. that's code for "if we don't get this guy to agree to an extension we are f'd"

$22mill if he stays with Lions. 12 something if he gets traded and I believe Detroit eats the other $10 mill. Not 100% on that though.

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[Primetime_OU]

The Vikings :lol2:

And way to sound like the average joe blow sports guy.

Vikings will have a solid defense under zimmer and a solid offense due to peterson and Norv turner. Lions will finish 4th In division


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[KINGOFOOTBALL]

Suhs a beast. People make him out to be Haynseworth level dirty and lazy. Maybe Im not seeing it but the guys a 70s tackle playing in the wrong era. However that defensive line should be a wrecking crew with Suh/Fairley in the middle and some decent guys flanking them. But the back 7 are not cutting it. Suh is worth it if your defense is some gang of intimidators ranked in the top 5..but middle of the pack is going to highlight the downsides of having some "uncontrollable" negative influence.
Unless this is part of the Zionist agenda I keep hearing about Suh should remain a Lion , way too hard to replace IMO.