Suh Identified By NFL As One Of 21 'At-Risk' Players
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent set out this offseason to visit with 21 players whom the league identified as "at-risk" of triggering harsh discipline from the NFL because of their style of play and past transgressions.
"The objective was to sit down, review the tape, watch the games, and let's see what's taking place -- from a coverage standpoint, up front, every scenario," Vincent told nfl.com. "How do we assist in making sure the player, the coach, the agent, everyone is on the same page in regards to what we expect and what they expect? A lot of it was casual conversation, put on the tape and say, 'Take me through this play progression.'"
Not shockingly, Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh made the list of "at-risk" players. His Thanksgiving Day stomp of Evan Dietrich-Smith lives on in infamy, as does his kick to the groin of Matt Schaub.
Suh was the first player with whom Vincent spoke in his quest to talk with players and clarify with them the areas in which they had crossed the line or gotten close to it.
Vincent said not all the player meetings went well, but the one with Suh did.
"He was very receptive, he understood, he cared about the perception, his reputation, and I told him we're not trying to take the edge he plays with away," Vincent told nfl.com. "I said, 'We've seen you adjust, we've seen an adjustment in your play, let's keep that going.' ... We met for hours, talking about the example he sets, the role model he's become, and emphasizing his adjustment. What he did was set the bar with his approach, since he was first."
The group of "at-risk" players also included Washington Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather, Oakland Raiders defensive lineman Antonio Smith, Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Dashon Goldson, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Joe Mays, Tennessee Titans safety Michael Griffin and Indianapolis Colts linebacker Erik Walden. All of them have been suspended for hits at some point over the past two years.
