There has been a lot of buzz around the Tampa Bay Area and across the NFL these last couple of weeks as the Bucs cut loose six time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and signed defensive tackle Nadakomg Suh to replace him.
Suh was in France on vacation and getting engaged when he signed the one year contract, and was in Tampa last Friday to meet the press.
Some fans could not understand the releasing of McCoy and then the quick turnaround on signing Suh.
Coach Bruce Arians who was featured on ESPN had this to say about the signing of Suh and why Nadakomg Suh is a good fit for this Buccaneer defense.
”it just wasn’t a good fit. Whether it was financial, whatever, on the field, you know, it just didn’t fit. I’ve been through this a number of times with guys and great players and it just comes a time when they have to separate the organization. You go back to Franco Harris not being a Steeler. This has happened for a long, long time.”
To say that Arians is not excited to have Suh as part of the defense would be an understatement.
Arians likes the fact the Suh has a high motor and is always ready to play. “He never misses a game, very seldom ever misses a practice. Plays extremely hard the way I like to play. He fits our three-man scheme a lot better in terms of his versatility up and down the front.”
There is a good chance that Suh would not have even considered the Bucs if Todd Bowles was not the defensive coordinator.
Appearing on the Tennis Channel last week at the French Open Suh had a few things to say about why he choose Tampa Bay.
“It’s his personality, the way he looks at things, the way he wants to attack,” said Suh about Todd Bowles defense. “I think Coach Arians also mentioned in the press conference the other day about being able to attack, be very aggressive, play up the field. Obviously, people have their responsibilities and whatnot, but I’ve always enjoyed being able to attack the defense.”
Suh thinks that he still has a little something left in the tank. “If you want to look back at last year I played every single position and I pride myself being able to play 3-technique, nose, end, nine, seven, six – whatever you need me to do. I think it’s important for me as a professional to continue to grow and evolve in those aspects.”
Suh is looking forward to teaming up with another Nebraska alum linebacker Lavonte David. Suh said that he and David don’t know each other real well, but he is looking forward to playing with David.
The big reason the Bucs moved on from McCoy and signed Nadakomg Suh had more to do with a culture change in the locker room and and overall difference in attitude on the defense.
McCoy was easygoing and did not play with an edge. He was a captain for most of his years in Tampa and would always have an answer for the press about another defensive meltdown and what they were going to do to fix it.
Suh is the polar opposite. He has a high motor, plays with a chip on his shoulder, and has been known to continue after the whistle. That is the type of play that Arians wants out of his defense and Suh will lead by example.
Suh will not have a lot to say. He is quiet by nature and will let other members of the defense be the vocal leaders on the defense.
It was announced late this afternoon that Suh will wear Gerald McCoy’s old number 93.
About 45 minutes later we heard the news that MCoy had signed a one year deal with the Carolina Panthers for eight million dollars which could reach $10.25 million dollars with incentives.
The Bucs will get their first look at their ex-teammate the second game of the season, the first Thursday Night game of the year September 12 in Charlotte, and then again in London on October 13th.
This rivalry just got ratcheted up a couple of notches as McCoy has to be licking his chops about the possibility of going one on one with Caleb Benenoch
