Detroit Lions Update: Ndamukong Suh Raw but Talented (Photos)

There were many things that caught my eye at Detroit Lions practice today, but I am going to concentrate on the man most of you want an update about.

Ndamukong Suh. 

First the good news, there are many reasons to be excited about Suh. 

He showed flashes of why he deserved to get drafted as high as he did.  He has that magical combination of speed and power that others can only dream about.  In time he will be a very good defensive tackle.

Now the bad news, it is not going to happen anytime soon. 

What I saw today was a raw player. 

It is without a shadow of a doubt that he is more skilled than the offensive lineman he is practicing against.  Most of practice he was going up against Stephen Peterman. 

Talent wise this is a mismatch, however time and again Peterman made up for his deficiencies by outsmarting Suh.  From nonchalantly holding him on the inside of his shoulder blades, where it probably would not be called by the referee, to using Suh’s power against him, Peterman was able to more than hold his own against him.

The overall feeling is that Suh is smart enough to learn to use tricks of his own, but until he does that, he will not be able to dominate as some fans hope he will.

The following slides will show different plays Suh was involved in and what the end result was.  You will also find some other pictures form Friday morning practice.

Suh Looking Trim

This picture highlights one of the concerns about Suh. 

He needs to put on more weight to avoid getting stonewalled by some of the bigger guards.

Suh Battling Raiola

Suh had gotten leverage against Dominic Raiola early on in this sequence, and that forced Raiola into holding.

Suh Forces a Checkdown

During this play Suh plowed his way into the backfield. 

Matthew Stafford was looking deep but instead checked it down to Jahvid Best. 

Suh Beats a Double Team

This play started with Suh going against Gosder Cherilus whom he disposed off pretty quickly. 

Backup full back Matt Clap met Suh in the backfield and he too was thrown aside.  This play ended with an incomplete pass.

Suh Meets the Ground

On this particular play the inexperience of Suh showed. 

Suh attacked Peterman and used his hands to beat him to the outside. 

Peterman recovered by using Suh’s own momentum against him. He pushed him in the same direction as he was going and forced him to lose his balance. 

This was really the only play I remember where Suh was knocked to the ground.

Suh Mistimes His Jump

During this play Stafford pump faked and Suh reacted by trying to block the pass.  As soon as Suh was back on the ground Stafford completed a pass over him.

Suh Punches Peterman

During this play Suh clocked Peterman pretty hard and got him off balance.  Suh did not get to the quarterback because Peterman blatantly held him.

Suh Nearly Gets There

Suh got within striking distance here.

Sammie Hill

Without question Sammie Hill has been one of the top four defensive linemen so far. 

If he played defensive end he would be a definite starter.  Unfortunately for him, he plays tackle where the Lions have their two starters in Ndamukong Suh and Corey Williams. 

He will no doubt however be part of the rotation at defensive tackle.

This has led me to wonder if on obvious running downs the Lions would consider moving Suh to end in order to get their best four lineman into the game at the same time.  Suh does not have the speed to get to the quarterback if he played end, but in rushing downs he might be able to do the job.

Jahvid Best Returning kicks

One of the things I disliked about Rod Marinelli is that he didn’t put enough emphasis on the return game.  The only thing he cared about is avoiding turnovers.

This coaching staff is taking a completely different approach.  They have gone as far as having first round pick Jahvid Best return kicks.  At the end of the day I believe kick returner is Derrick Williams’ job to lose. 

If the Lions do falter in the kick return game it won’t be because of a lack of attention from the coaches.

Bryant Johnson Makes a Nice Catch

Bryant Johnson continues to impress.

Bryant Johnson

Bryant Johnson waits for the ball.

Aaron Brown Is Doing Better

I still don’t know how Aaron Brown is going to make the roster.  The Lions will have to keep five running backs in order for him to get a spot. 

If they do that, however they will only be able to carry five receivers and the competition at receiver is stiff. 

That said I thought Brown was much better today than he was on Wednesday.  He still hesitated on kick returns instead of attacking the hole but when he did he showed a really good burst. 

This is in contrast to Wednesday when he looked like he was running in sand. He was also much more involved on offense.

Aaron Brown Makes a Reception

 Aaron Brown catches a pass in front of Dre Bly.

Aaron Brown

 Aaron Brown during position drills

Aaron Brown on Special Teams

 Aaron Brown during a kick return

Calvin Johnson Is Still Great, But Who Is No. 43?

Much has been written about how well Calvin Johnson has been in training camp and for good reason.  Here you see him catching a ball while double covered. 

You get the feeling that Marvin White and Jonathan Hefney could have joined the play from the sideline and he still would have made the catch. 

The interesting thing about this picture however is that rookie free agent safety Randy Phillips is getting reps with the first string defense. 

If he turns out to be a player, it would be a coup for the Lions.

CC Brown

 Safety CC Brown keeps a watchful eye on rookie running back Jahvid Best.

Derrick Williams

The more I see receiver Derrick Williams in camp, the more I think he will not be a bust. 

One of the few draft picks from 2009 that did not significantly contribute last season, looks determined to prove he was worthy of his draft status.

Dre Bly

I spoke briefly with Bly after practice and he looks and sounds like the same confident guy he has always been. 

This in my opinion is very important if Bly is to contribute this year. 

Bly’s game is all about taking chances.  Throughout his career this is how he has gotten most of his interception.  If he loses his confidence, and is hesitant to jump in front of receivers, he could find himself without a job. 

That said on Wednesday he was taking reps at the nickel back position and today he was doing that as well as running with the second string. 

Eric Fowler

Eric Fowler is another receiver that has looked good so far.  It’s going to be interesting to see who the lions keep.

My opinion is Dennis Northcutt should start putting together his resume.

No Chance

Calvin Johnson has no problems losing Julian Peterson after he made this catch.

Jason Hunter

I don’t know what Jason Hunter has to do to get some respect. 

All this man does is make plays. 

I would not be the least bit surprised if the beats out Cliff Avril for the starting defensive end spot opposite Kyle Vanden Bosch.

No. 3?

Poor Aaron Pettrey, not only does he have no chance of making the final roster, nobody told him to avoid the number three.  Doesn’t he know that it has forever been sullied by Joey Harrington?

Brandon Pettigrew

Brandon Pettigrew is looking better and is showing no ill effects of his knee surgery. 

At one point early on in practice it looked as if it was the Brandon Pettigrew show as he kept catching one pass after another. 

If today is any indication as to what type of year he will have than it’s safe to Look for a monster year from Brandon. 

It would have been an overall great practice for him if he didn’t have a pass bounce of his hands for an interception

Dominic Raiola Is My Lion

Dominic Raiola was the second pick of the Matt Millen Era.  The stigma he caries from that distinction has caused many Lion fans to want him replaced. 

In my opinion Raiola is a good player but a better Lion. 

In spite of all the struggles the team has gone through, I believe that he is proud to be a Detroit Lion.  He is the first to stand up for his teammates, especially the quarterback. 

This man deserves to be embraced by all fans of the Lions

Jim Schwartz

This is the year for Schwartz to show that he deserves the faith most fans have in him. 

Unlike last year when he was handcuffed by a lack of talent, this year, at least on the offensive side of the ball, should provide him with the opportunity to show he is a good coach.

Shaun Hill

Shaun Hill provides stability at backup quarterback

Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford gets ready to launch a pass

Drew Stanton

Drew Stanton needs to show this preseason that he is a viable option at backup quarterback, otherwise he could be out of the league by this time next year.

Cornerbacks

Chris Houston and Jonathan wade could be the starting cornerbacks.  I watched these two as they were going through position drills. 

They looked good. 

The question remains can they play cornerback at a high level?

Stephen Peterman

Stephen Peterman, the one player Lions’ fans hope fails in practice. After all his failure means Ndamukong Suh is succeeding.

Honolulu Blue Crew

Dedicated Lion fans Brad Way and Andrew Lafata have become famous. 

As a reward for their dedication to the Lions they, along with other members of the Honolulu Blue Crew, were invited to meet Coach Jim Schwartz and Team President Tom Lewand.  Jim Schwartz even tweeted about meeting them. 

After practice they led a spirited rendition of Gridiron Heroes, which the players were quite amused with. 

Asked for his prediction, Lafata predicted a modest 15-1 record for the 2010 season, with the one loss coming in the season finale as the Lions rested their starters.

As for the rest of the NFC North, Lafata foresaw a disastrous season for the other teams with all three starting quarterbacks, Brett Favre, Aaron Rogers, and Jay Cutler ending up on injured reserve courtesy of Ndamukong Suh.  

 If you would like to join the Honolulu Blue Crew you can find them right here http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=120230784656444