The Detroit Lions are slowly earning the reputation of having one of the best defenses in league. Known for their grit and toughness on the field, 2013 should really be no different. Next season will be crucial for the Lions with Matthew Stafford in the running for a new contract and head coach Jim Schwartz on the hot seat. They will need big things for their marquee players. Ndamukong Suh is promising just that.
The Lions' defense is feeling pretty confident about where the unit is headed next season. After key moves to get defensive tackle Ezekiel Ansah and DeQuan Menzie in the draft, the Lions will have no problem stopping any team. Suh believes that he and Nick Fairley will form the best defensive tackle combination in the league.
"You're doing something positive if you're having a target on your back and you're a main focus of offensive coaches and their staff. And they really have to focus on you guys and take the pressure off the rest of your teammates, all them to make plays," Suh said to the NFL Network. "If me and Nick can do that, that will be a great thing and something that I welcome and I know Nick welcomes. Let's just make the most of it and instead of talking about it, let's just be about it."
Fairley is echoing those statements. After promising that the Lions would go to the Super Bowl next season, he agrees that he and Suh will be the best pairing in the league.
"Of course," Fairley said. "We're going to give guys trouble, man. It's like pick you poison this year with our defensive line. You cannot come in and double-team Ndamukong and can't come in and double -team me."
Fairley spoke highly of rookie Ansah. With those three in the rotation, the Lions will have one of the better lines in the league. As training camp is set to begin at the end of the month, Fairley stressed the importance of everyone building chemistry with one another, promising the players will "feed off each other."
It is hard to deny the player's statements. Fairley had a strong second season in the league and Suh is a beast in his own right. If Ansah can prove to be the strong player he was scouted as, Detroit has something great on their hands.
