SognCenter: The proudest Lion: Ndamukong Suh

A friend of mine  asked me once to write on the Detroit Lions.  After two years of putting it off, mostly due to a lack of enthusiasm, I've finally accepted the challenge to discuss a team that has had a very dark decade. 

The Lions, for one simple reason, are looking up: Ndamukong Suh.

Suh has the potential to be one of the meanest, nastiest defensive linemen in the NFL since Reggie White and he has a knack for sticking it to teams.

The guy is quiet, motivated and understands his role on the team. 

Also, he isn't a cheap shot out to hurt other players.  He doesn't lead with his head and he puts his team first.

Remember that hit on Jake Delhomme during the preseason? Suh grabbed Delhomme, shook him like a ragdoll and body slammed him into the turf. 

Minus the fact that the ball was out of his hands, the "non-sack" was one of the greatest hits of the year.  Despite the fact that Browns' backup quarterback Seneca Wallace was screaming for a suspension, Suh addressed the issue in a polite, matter-of-fact way. 

Genuinely, the guy stood up in front of the press and announced that he had no idea Delhomme had thrown the ball, and thought he was simply making the play.  Delhomme accepted it, and they moved on.

With so much drama in the NFL these days, kids too often look to superstars who score the touchdowns to model themselves after.  The Detroit Lions are in fact a group of individuals to model one's self after.  Am I saying everyone should become chronic losers? No. 

What I am saying is that people should develop an attitude like the Lions.  Work hard, don't create drama where it doesn't need to be created. and put on a positive attitude.

A couple weeks ago, Suh ran onto the field as the emergency kicker.  Jason Hanson, the regular kicker, was hurt and the 307-pound lineman was his backup. 

While most fans didn't expect anything to happen, Suh nearly surprised everyone by making it, only to have it clang off the right upright. 

After the game, he denounced himself, saying that he takes full responsibility for his miss.

Last time I checked, not too many lineman are expected to kick a ball.

So far this season, he has six and a half sacks. 

Combined, Minnesota's Jared Allen, Chicago's Julius Peppers and Washington's Albert Haynesworth have five.

While the Lions are a few years away from reaching the .500 mark, the bright side is that I'd say Suh is, at this time, one of the best role models in the NFL for a young kid to follow.