The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did a little retooling along their defensive line this offseason. Seemingly gone are Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh who had both been with the organization for multiple seasons. One team that could swoop in to take Suh away is the division rival New Orleans Saints.
Out of the two, Suh looks the least likely to return. The Buccaneers signed Akiem Hicks recently, which could spell the end of Suh in Tampa Bay.
While he remains a free agent, Suh should have no issue finding a job in the coming weeks as camps get going. He has remained productive and durable, as he hasn’t missed a game since 2011, his second season in the NFL.
The Nebraska product remains a disruptive force in the middle of a defense, as he can collapse the pocket as a pass rusher and stuff things up against the run. That is something plenty of teams could still use at this point in the offseason.
Could Suh land with another team in the NFC South? Over at ESPN, Matt Bowen believes that the Saints are the best fit for Suh at this point. Landing with a contender seems likely and the Saints, who have done well this offseason adding talent despite their salary cap situation, would fit the bill.
“I really like the idea of Suh playing in Dennis Allen’s defense. Even in a rotational role, Suh can still create disruption, command two in protection and get home to the quarterback in schemed fronts. He’d be effective in New Orleans with interior stunts and loops that create A-gap pressure and eliminate the quarterback’s ability to climb the pocket. And you need that when you see Tom Brady twice a season.”
The chance to play against the Buccaneers twice could certainly be a motivating factor for Suh, who will want to show his old team that he still has plenty left in the gas tank to help a team win games. Motivation is a powerful tool and the Saints will certainly use that to their advantage.
A one-year deal to play for a contending team and face his old team twice could be enough to convince Ndamukong Suh to sign on the dotted line.
