running backs have less impact on the game, if you don't believe me, you can look at the career of oh i don't know, BARRY SANDERS i understand this isn't her argument per se but suh has already had a bigger impact on the lions. two years into his career, they will end up having a better team than he ever played on. of course the other argument is there are several more teamates that are having impact. but this team still sucked until he was drafted.
Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson are why this team is winning. Also, they've barely beaten a mediocre Bucs team, an 0-4 Vikings team and a mediocre Cowboys team. Of course they did dominate the Chiefs, who can thank the Vikings for their only win.
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i'm not arguing for suh just to support hill before i get accused of that. i already argued in the tanking for luck thread that the only type player i would tank for if i would ever tank is a defensive tackle like suh. he is more valuable than most quarterbacks could ever be. and running backs, they're a dime a dozen.
Stafford and Johnson didn't return two picks for TDs the past game. Stafford and Johnson didn't shut out the Vikings in the second half of their game. Stafford and Johnson didn't hold Kansas City to 3 points Stafford and Johnson didn't allow just one 2nd half TD to the Bucs in week 1 Before Suh came on the Lions ranked 32nd (last) in defense for 2007, 2008 and 2009. Since they have moved up to 21st last year and 11th so far this year. Look, I'll give credit to Stafford and Johnson but giving them sole credit for Detroit's good record so far is laughable.
Barry Sanders isn't a dime a dozen. 2009 is when Stafford was drafted. He played 3 games in 2010, throwing 6TDs to 1Int. They won one of those 3 games, but in the loss to the Jets, the Lions were up 10 points when Stafford was knocked out of the game. The other loss was against the Bears, and the Lions had a 4 point lead when Stafford was knocked out of the game. They need all 3 to be a good football team.
What is being the 11th ranked defense, when you've played 3 bad offenses, and the only good one hung 30 points on you with its best WR out, and its 2nd best WR barely able to run? Edit: I'm not trying to knock Suh, just that the article is narrow sighted. There are 22 starters on an NFL team, special team standouts, and a number of key subs that play regularly. If anything, the person most responsible for the Lions turnaround is Martin Mayhew, who has overhauled the disaster left by Matt Millen.
that's great, sanders played on some decent teams, never a great qb. he did have a good wr. herman moore.
and i would argue a) defensive tackles are a lot more valuable than wrs rbs and most qbs b) barry sanders was a great player, but he wasn't the greatest of teamates, more of an kareem type guy. bad ass player who kept to himelf. suh has apparently added some leadership in the locker room
I'd say that considering they played some of the worst offenses in the league during their 3 year stretch as a 32nd ranked defense and still ended up last that being 11th playing more bad offenses is pretty significant. That can all change too as it is still early in the season. I wasn't trying to knock you but you initial statement that it was Stafford and Johnson and not looking at the whole picture was just as narrow-sighted as the article in question. But I do see you looked at the whole picture with this new post.
The lions have a lot more talent than suh, and that is why they are winning. I doubt barry ever had a team like this current detroit team around him.
I disagree. The reason is that running backs, and the ability to run has the most direct effects the important stat of time of possession. If you can't run the ball you can't control the clock. If you can't control the clock you can't have a good defense for 4 quarters. Certainly, a good offensive line is important for this, but a good running back is equally important. Tell me I'm wrong?
The Lion's defense is playing very well, give that whole team props. You can't argue against the case that CJ and Stafford have that team winning but you also can't argue that the defense is putting them in position to win the game and is constantly keeping them from losing. As a whole, the Lions are very complete. Pettigrew is really coming into his own too. The only thing that is holding them back is their youth. If you look at them, almost every position is led by young promising talent. QB: Stafford 23, RB: Best 22, TE: Pettigrew 26, WR: CJ 26, Dline: Suh 24, LB: Tulloch 26, CB: Wright/Houston both 26, S: Delmas 24. Add a legit 2nd option at WR..... When that team peaks, it's going to be scary. That's the 2nd best team in the NFC right now, the Saints don't have a D and the Falcons are as inconsistent as ever. I refuse to believe the 49ers/Skins have a QB who can constantly win games for them.
No doubt they are a lot better than they were (hard not to be). And they could get better with Nick Fairly coming back. Another guy that needs some credit for the defense is Jim Schwartz. Remember that the Titans were ranked #1 when he was the DC in Nashville. He had Haynesworth in Tennessee, and helped make him the best DT in the game. Now he has Suh, who will be even better.
wow! I cant believe people are comparing Suh to Barry Sanders. he literally carried the Lions to the playoffs, and to have a 12 wins record 2nd in the NFL. 4 consecutive seasons with over 1,500 yards. (5 in total) he and walter payton are like 1a 1b in RBs of all-time, too bad he didnt played for a better team, so he could win a superbowl, and too bad he retired soon.
Football is a team sport. And the QB is the only player (unfairly) who has a W-L record tied to his stats. It's impossible to prove whether or not Suh is more valuable than Sanders, but jeebus, at least wait until the man has had a long-term career first and see how everyone else contributes. The article is not a joke because of the idea to debate; it's a joke because it's unprovable filler meant to create controversy to raise her Q rating when there's simply not enough evidence yet to even have any statistically significant discussion. This article is better saved for down the road, but she just wanted buzz and hits, and you guys are eating it all up.
Wait wait wait wait, Suh isn't even the 1st, 2nd or 3rd best defender on the team.... Are people actually saying Suh is the reason the Lions now have a good D? Really? Are we arguing this point simply because a writer with down's syndrome says it's so? Then to say that a second rate defender on the 11th ranked D is comparable to the 2nd best (Payton 1st in my book) running back of all time? Seriously, how did this get to 3 pages?
