Ndamukong Suh – October 4, 2017
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Wednesday, October 4, 2017
DT Ndamukong Suh
(I think it was a third down play where, if I had this right, you and DE Andre Branch were in the middle of the defense and you were kind of standing and I think I saw you take like a running start towards the opposing offensive line from like three yards away. How much fun is that? What kind of advantage does that actually put you at?) – “It’s definitely fun. (Defensive Coordinator Matt) Burke and (Defensive Line) Coach (Terrell) Williams give us a great opportunity to stand up and make plays. At the same time, we’ve got to be prepared for people like the Saints, as well as Tennessee, who likes to snap the ball quickly. I think that’s something that is an advantage. They think we’re not set and we’re not ready but we actually are. We’re just standing up and kind of waiting for them to get going. Once you see the center with his hand on the ball, we’re ready to go.”
(Are you guys a good run defense or a defense that has played well against the run so far?) – “We’re a defense that’s playing pretty well in regards to the run game, if you want to look at stats and all of those different things. We’ve got a great test against Tennessee. Obviously they’ve got two elite backs, as well as an elite quarterback in (Marcus) Mariota and him being able to score touchdowns with his feet, as well as his arm. We’ve got an amazing challenge against us and I’m looking forward to it. To me, this is just like in college when I remember back being at Nebraska and playing against Virginia Tech. You know it’s smash-mouth football and we’re going to have fun with it. I enjoy it. I can’t wait to get an opportunity to play.”
(How much do you view last year’s performance against them defensively as sort of a humbling experience?) – “I think last year is last year. I think we take some things, watch that film obviously – it’s the same guys, the same o-line – and things we can learn from; but at the end of the day, they’ve got some new wrinkles and everybody in this league understands that people change and evolve, as well as do things that they’re good at. We’ve got to be able to look at that and understand what we’re going to get in the run game, as well as in the pass game.”
(Still a couple of missed tackles last week as a unit. Is that something the coaches talk to you about after the game?) – “I think it’s something that we all understand. We don’t have room for error and we can’t allow ourselves to miss tackles and allow that to create big plays. When we find a way to get that done and complete, we’ll probably be in a place that we want to be in, which is holding teams to whether it’s field goals or no points.”
(When the offense is struggling the way that it is on the other side of the ball, how have you guys kept your effort level high and maintained your focus throughout that?) – “I think we understand what our offense has as a unit. Obviously there’s trials and tribulations that get to different situations and what they’re going through right now. Our job as a defense is to continue to strive and do better. We haven’t played perfect, neither has special teams. Until we can play perfect then we can’t say much, if anything; and even then, if we do play perfect, we’ve still got to go back and get the ball for our offense and give them as many opportunities as they need. Really, when they are rolling and doing well as they have and they’ve shown great things – obviously the first series against the New Orleans Saints – we want to give them more opportunities to continue to do that and drive the ball down the field and score points.”
(As a captain, is there some way you can help bridge the level of love and trust and respect between offense and defense? Because sometimes it can seem like two sides of the room.) – “I think there’s obviously always going to be two sides. There’s always two sides in regards to practice and we push them and they push us. We talk trash. At the same time, it’s just like kids at home with adults and parents. We’re going to push each other but at the same time, we’re always going to love each other, so we’ll go from there.”
(Is there more on your plate for all of the defensive players this week because you’re looking at a team that has uncertainty at quarterback and the two quarterbacks who could play have such different styles?) – “No, I think at any point and level, we understand what any NFL team can do with multiple different types of players that they have. I think we understand what (Marcus) Mariota wants to do. We understand that their big horses are in the backfield and they want to really be successful in that particular game because that opens up their pass game. If we can make them one-dimensional, which is what we want to do – which is obviously stop the run and make them throw the ball – we’re going to be in a happy position, no matter who is at quarterback.”
(The Titans are obviously a very physical team on offense. You’ve played against them. How physical are they? Are they among the most?) – “I think they’re a physical team but at the end of the day, put no fear in my heart. I know as well as any other guy on my team and looking at those guys and their eyes, nobody is scared of them being physical or whatever. We embrace the challenge. We look forward to it. Like I said, I think you can see it in my face. I’m excited about this game.”
(What did LB Lawrence Timmons bring to the defense last week?) – “Fury, fire and big hits. He’s a guy that obviously comes downhill. I love him and enjoy him playing behind me. I look forward to him continuing to progress in our defense and play off us as defensive linemen up front. Really, he’s just a seasoned football player. It’s as plain and simple as that.”
(How do you think CB Cordrea Tankersley handled his first start?) – “I think he handled it really well, in my opinion. Obviously nobody is perfect. He had some mistakes; but he was aggressive. He made great plays. He almost had a pick. It’s funny. I was talking to him during the game, before the game and after the game and he’s just excited to have an opportunity and is eager to continue to grow.”
(What was your message to CB Cordrea Tankersley before the game? Just chill, enjoy the game and play your game pretty much?) – “I’ll keep that private. Maybe if he wants to share it, I’ll let him share it; but at the end of the day, he’s a good kid. Obviously he’s been in big-time situations being at Clemson, so he’s – in my eyes and in my opinion – not scared of anything and he looks forward to the opportunity.”
(It looked like DT Vincent Taylor got penetration a few times. What do you notice about his skill set?) – “In my personal opinion, I think Vincent is doing a great job. He’s ideally what you want from, per se, a backup tackle, if that’s where he is right now, because he’s not a starter. What he’s doing is he’s taking and making the most of his plays when he’s in the game. He’s a guy that comes in and understands, asks a bunch of questions, is in the right places and really is making plays. That’s what we expect from each and every guy on this line. I’ve said it before, as we grow and as we become a better defensive line, we’re going to all be interchangeable across the line. Whether that’s playing multiple tackle positions or playing end or whatever it may be, we expect when you’re on the football field to go out there and make plays.”
(How aware are you that this is your home opener? Does it feel like it’s late? Does it feel like you haven’t played here in a while? Does that even occur to you?) – “It’s been two months. I kind of had this conversation I think randomly with some family or friends like a week or two ago. At the end of the day, we understood what happened with the hurricane and obviously us being on the road, we understood the challenge coming into the season was really going to be that way even if we did play our first game against Tampa. I’m excited to get back home and have an opportunity to play in Hard Rock (Stadium). It is what it is. I don’t think anybody is really paying too much attention to it.”
