Calvin Johnson, Ndamukong Suh Named To Sporting News All-Pro Team

by Sean Yuille on Jan 31, 2012 10:13 AM EST in Detroit Lions News

The Sporting News announced its 2011 NFL All-Pro team yesterday. The team is voted on by 30 executives from the NFL, so it's not just another poll of members of the media.

Somewhat surprisingly, two players from the Detroit Lions made the team: wide receiver Calvin Johnson and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Johnson's inclusion is no surprise, of course. He had an amazing season, and as mentioned in the Sporting News' write-up, he "has emerged as the league’s biggest matchup nightmare." Suh's inclusion, on the other hand, is a surprise. Fair or not, a lot of people soured on him in 2011, but not those who voted on the Sporting News All-Pro team.

Although he saw a big drop-off in production (from 10 sacks to four) from his rookie campaign and lost two games to suspension, his presence was still a big reason for the success of coach Jim Schwartz’s front four.

Suh's numbers did drop in 2011, but based on this particular All-Pro team, it seems the notion that a lot of what Suh does goes unnoticed is accurate.

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a defensive player is getting double and triple teamed on a regular basis it is remarkable. Stat mongers can cry all they want. He is still our best defensive player and a large portion of Avril’s success goes to Suh.

by Lionsickness on Jan 31, 2012 11:25 AM EST reply actions

Absolutely....

Don’t get me wrong, I love Avril as a player. He has been great for us. I just think that you can put a number of players in his position, and have similar results. I’m talking about a lot of players. Players that would presumably cost a lot less. I would not be upset at all if the Lions decided to go in a different direction at that position and direct a larger portion of the cap room to help sure up our back 7, or along the offensive line.

"That's my quarterback man"- T.O.

by Lionking4420 on Jan 31, 2012 2:39 PM EST reply actions

Exactly

What do you want from a DT? His stats are not bad from this position. If the Lions moved Suh out to DE in place of Avril, I would like to see the outcome.

by jeremy j on Jan 31, 2012 3:35 PM EST reply actions

Well

I think we should consider this. Indeed, even if we resign Avril, a starting lineup of Suh, Avril, C-Will and Fairley is our best group- KVB needs to be part-timed, especially since he is brutal against the run.

by Misha Tseytlin on Jan 31, 2012 4:20 PM EST up reply actions