The Buccaneers have wasted no time in moving on from six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, as they have signed Ndamukong Suh to a one-year deal worth $9.25 million.
There had been rumors circulating that Suh could become a Buccaneer, but when Bruce Arians was asked about him at practice, he mentioned that he could not talk about players that weren’t on the team. When informed that Suh was actually a free agent and not on another team, Arians quickly changed his mind and praised him.
Suh, the second-overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, will be playing for his third team in three years. Playing next to Aaron Donald in Los Angeles last season, Suh had 36 tackles to go with 4.5 sacks. In his nine-year career, Suh has 476 tackles with 56.5 sacks, has forced four fumbles and knocked down 32 passes.
As soon as Todd Bowles was named defensive coordinator of the Bucs, Suh expressed interest in coming to Tampa to play under Bowles. With Suh anchoring the defensive line, the Bucs front seven is now looking pretty formidable on paper with Carl Nassib, Suh, Shaq Barrett, Devin White, Beau Allen, Anthony Nelson, and Lavonte David. If Jason Pierre-Paul can back from his neck injury at some point this season, that would be a terrific combination with Suh and Pierre-Paul.
Suh has had a reputation as a dirty player and been involved in some extracurricular activity after the whistle. With Suh on board, you can expect the Buccaneers defense to play with more of an edge than they have in recent years. The fans in Tampa should keep their expectations in check, though. The addition of Suh does not immediately make this team a playoff contender. Suh and McCoy are similar players and McCoy may arguably be the better pass rusher of the two. Yet, the Bucs could certainly have done worse. Credit Jason Licht and the front office for moving quickly and bringing Suh to Tampa Bay.
