Suh ..no Franchise tag

[oldtimer 8,684]

http://detroit.suntimes.com/det-sports/detroit-lions/7/77/135013/lions-may-let-suh-walk/

 

The Lions made it official today, they will not be using the franchise tag on Ndamukong Suh. That doesn’t mean that Suh is definitely leaving the team, but Detroit may be smart to let someone else pay him.

It’s difficult to justify letting one of the best players in the NFL walk out the door. However, Suh’s contract will likely be the richest in the league for a defensive player. The Lions could afford to make that happen, but that would make any other spending almost impossible without major changes to other contracts.

Last year Houston’s J.J. Watt signed a $100 million deal for 6 seasons. Suh’s contract could push past that and would likely include more than $52 million in guaranteed money.

 

Lions cap space

Detroit is working with limited cap space. Compared to some of the other favorites to sign the All-Pro defensive lineman the Lions are in trouble. Suh has been less than forthcoming about his feelings on staying in Detroit, which would likely mean he it would take more money to keep him.

The Lions have a little over $17 million in cap space to work with. A contract with Suh would leave them with roughly $2 million left to work with. While this is not impossible it would hamstring a Lions team that needs to be active to compete with Green Bay each season.

 

The Lions defense looked improved in this past season. The defense let up the second fewest yards per game in the NFL and had one of the stingiest units for points allowed. Letting Suh walk will hurt, but it isn’t the end of the line.

Detroit’s defensive line is still strong. If Suh leaves they will look to Nick Fairley to step into the role of line clogger and hope to get continued edge pressure from Ezekiel Ansah and George Johnson who is a restricted free agent.

[Mugsy 225]

He's going to be a Raider. He will be the perfect Raider and it sucks.