Quote:Absolutely not. While Suh is a dominant player, paying one person 27 million dollars for one season is foolish, unless it's for an elite QB and you know you might win a superbowl because of it.


You and I discussed this right after the season ended; I just don't see any way the Lions keep him without hurting their roster. With what they're paying Megatron and Stafford, they're certainly going to have a hard pill to swallow to take a 27 million dollar cap hit for a DT. (With needs all over the secondary especially), I think Detroit would be best served to use those resources on multiple players rather than just Suh.


Ultimately, if Mayhew thinks his team is realistically close to making a superbowl, he may franchise Suh. I don't think it would work out for the long term stability of the Lions though, especially if 34 year old Rashean Mathis and Don "what the hell am I doing here" Carey are expected to be significant contributors in the secondary next year.

 

Treestone Ice,   thanks for your input. 

 

While I'm on the side of the fence that expresses the opinion that the Lions need to retain Ndamukong Suh in 2015,   even if it means the near $ 27 million Franchise Tag cost,   you presented a point of view that has a large amount of validity and is well thought out.

 

From my point of view,   Suh is an essential part of the Lions Defense.   He's the main reason why other players on the unit have more favorable matchup situations.  This component is extremely difficult to replace.   If Nick Fairley had a much greater track record of reliability,   then I wouldn't want the Lions to use the Franchise Tag on Suh.  But that's not the reality.

 

 Regarding Rashean Mathis,  both the Lions and Mathis want to work out a new contract.   Mathis will be 35 this season but is coming off two good seasons with the Lions.  When Mathis missed half the road playoff game against the Cowboys,   that was the # 1 factor in the Cowboys getting back into the game.  The Lions lack of depth at CB,  in part because of injury,  was exposed.   PFF ranked Mathis the 12th best CB in the NFL in 2014.

 

 Don Carey was used as a # 3 an # 4 Safety and a Nickel CB when size was needed at that position.   He also is a winning level contributor on Special Teams.   In essence,  he's a role player that will probably never be the answer as a starter but I think he found his niche with the Lions.   Two different coaching staffs have valued his contribution.

 

One update regarding our previous discussion from a few weeks ago.   DE George Johnson was declared a RFA by the NFLPA,  instead of it previously being reported that he will be an UFA.   Barring a mult-year contract agreement,  my guess is Johnson will receive the RFA 2nd Round Tender offer.   I think that reflects what he brings to the table as a # 3 DE. 

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