Without Suh, Who picks up the Slack?

by Bret Crino on Dec 2, 2011 9:45 AM EST

Obviously there will be a key defensive lineman missing in the next two games. We know the Detroit Lions have used a heavy rotation of defensive lineman throughout the year, so they are ALL experienced, may be with the exception of the rookie Nick Fairley.

To me, there are two major questions concerning the defensive line. The first is how will opposing offenses attack a Suh-less D-line? Who will offenses double team? Will they go double Corey Williams at tackle or will they send tight ends without a chip block and slide the double to the DE's Cliff Avril or Kyle Vanden Bosch. Will they worry about Fairley? Are they going to double Fairley? How the offenses attack our D-line directly affects my next question.

Who will we as fans notice is picking up the slack? Fairley will get more snaps and if the double are out on the DE's will Fairley have his coming out party? Will more snaps allow Andre Fluellen to really shine? Sammy Lee Hill could have an effect with more snaps, we could finally see a complete shutdown of a running game. Will they double Fairley as much or more than they did Suh, allowing Williams to have a monster game? Is it possible for the one or more of the DE's to have better games?

Worst case scenario would be there is just a depletion of talent at defensive line. It could turn out they are just plain bad without Suh. I have a feeling someone is going to SHOW UP and pick up the slack.

What do you think? Who will it be?

Poll

Who will pick up the slack?

Cliff Avril

12 votes

Kyle Vanden Bosch

4 votes

Willie Young

14 votes

Corey Williams

24 votes

Andre Fluellen

4 votes

Nick Fairley

101 votes

Sammie Lee Hill

46 votes

Keyunta Dawson

1 votes

206 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit or its writers. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.

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Comments

I voted for Fairley

purely out of optimism. he has slowly had a bigger impact each game, so this is his time to shine. I realize he has been hurt, but a top 15 pick has certain expectations. I hope he rises to the occasion.

I think the media is hyping this whole “Lions are screwed with Suh” story line way too much. Obviously, Suh is phenomenal and has a huge impact, but we are wayyyy better equipped to replace him than we are to replace Houston and Delmas. We have ridiculous depth on the D-line (let’s remember that Turk McBride will be STARTING against us Sunday and he couldn’t make our 53 man!?!)

That same depth doesn’t exist in the secondary and THAT is what scares me (let’s hope the Phonz is up to the task).

by Suhper Megatron on Dec 2, 2011 11:10 AM EST reply actions

My heart says Fairley but my head says Hill

Hill has more experience and with the two big bodies of Williams and Hill up front it should grab some double teams and free up our edge rushers.

I do think Suh’s absence will hurt because the Rams gave everyone the blueprint on how to beat the Saint’s: pressure from the D Line. Suh has had a quiet year, but this game could have been a break out for him. I hope Hill and Fairley can come up with some good numbers in his absence.

by ATL Lion on Dec 2, 2011 11:20 AM EST reply actions

Suh's impact doesn't show up on the stat sheet

He’s double and triple teamed on every play. With the way offenses scheme around him, he isn’t going to put up big numbers. His presence elevates everybody around him. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if Detroit’s D-Line doesn’t look so good this week.

Yes, I really am that great.

by atvman on Dec 2, 2011 12:05 PM EST up reply actions

I know the party line of Suh this year

“his stats suffer from double teams. He makes everyone else better.” but I think he is having a sophomore slump. I kind of hope this suspension causes him to hit bottom and break out of it. Look out when he comes back.

I really think we will miss him because I think that even in his slump/being schemed out, he would have a monster day against the Saints line. STL had a ton of success with their DTs bull rushing through the line. Suh’s game was made for this situation. I think the replacements will be good and will have success as well.

by ATL Lion on Dec 2, 2011 12:39 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I agree ATL.

I think our D Line has suffered a lot more due to the loss of Lawrence and Willie in previous weeks. The DTs will be fine with Sammie and Nick and Corey.

My 2011 Lions season prediction: 12 wins and 4 losses. I made this prediction the week after the New England preseason game. It's looking slightly optimistic right now.

by NorthLeft12 on Dec 2, 2011 2:32 PM EST up reply actions

I'm right there with you ATL

Though, I only think Suh’s absence will hurt his season stats (maybe that was your point, I’m not sure). The defensive line should triumph with out him.

by BtotheLT on Dec 2, 2011 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

Fairley

I like what I’ve been seeing from Fairley the last few weeks. This is his opportunity to step up and have a breakout game.

Yes, I really am that great.

by atvman on Dec 2, 2011 12:03 PM EST reply actions

What slack?

Isn’t that the point of the depth we have? Do we ask ourselves who’s going to pick up the slack when Suh is rotated out to the sidelines during the game? Maybe some do, I sure don’t. If the next man up can’t get the job done, he doesn’t need to be on the team. Suh can be a great player, but he is not irreplaceable. I think we’ll be fine and the only poll I’m interested in is, with Suh out who will the ref’s decide to call the extra penalties on?

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

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by Leonuro on Dec 2, 2011 12:05 PM EST reply actions

Suh hasn't rotated out too much

I vote for Fairley or C Will

by BillySimsMadeMeDo on Dec 2, 2011 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

He's only played 64% of the defensive snaps this year

compared to some ridiculous number like 93% last year.

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by Bighaircut on Dec 2, 2011 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

100%

"If you don't invest very much, then defeat doesn't hurt very much and winning is not very exciting." ~Dick Vermeil

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by DylanD on Dec 3, 2011 8:55 AM EST up reply actions

I voted Hill

But Fairly could just as easy be that guy, I figure on running downs Williams and Hill and on passing downs you’ll see alot more Flu and Fairly.

Williams and Hill, thats alot of beef to move around : )

by msivits on Dec 2, 2011 1:35 PM EST reply actions

u need 2 make a thread about the secondary wit delmas and houston out

by Penaltylions on Dec 2, 2011 8:21 PM EST reply actions

exactly

those 2 out will have a larger impact than Suh being out. The biggest question I have for the D this week is how will the Phonz perform since I’m confident he’ll be getting snaps.

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by Ee Oulo on Dec 3, 2011 2:24 AM EST up reply actions

this may sound stupid, but i just have an eery feeling about willie being the extra guy. i wouldve said lojack if he were healthy, but this felt right. and idk about anyone else, but i am pumped about our secondary. im going to be missing chris houston, but i love me some aaron berry! and rashied davis is a natural cb(does anyone know if he’ll be playing corner?)

by DylanD on Dec 3, 2011 8:57 AM EST reply actions