Baltimore Ravens: The Importance Of Terrell Suggs

The Baltimore Ravens lost Terrell Suggs for the year in the 2015 season opener. It was the second Achilles tear that Suggs has suffered. In his absence, the Ravens saw how crucially important Suggs is.

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Suggs is one of the legends of Baltimore football. He has been with the Ravens since he was drafted, in 2003. In the shadows of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, Suggs became a great player. He became just as much of a leader as Lewis and Reed. In the aftermath of the Ravens greatest two defenders, Suggs has helped fill the void.

Suggs is a veteran defender who has seen it all. He is almost like a coach on the field. Being the quarterback of the defense, Suggs makes sure people line up correctly and makes the necessary calls to set up the Ravens defense. His teammates respect Suggs so much that they try not to let him down. Suggs demands a lot from himself and from the men around him.

It is almost impossible to replace someone with this much experience and leadership. It is equally challenging to replace that level of talent. Suggs has had 106.5 sacks in his career. In the 2014 season he had 12 of those sacks. Suggs is a fearsome pass rusher and a strong run stuffer. He is an all around outside linebacker with a complete game.

In 2014 Elvis Dumervil was one of the most dominant sack artists in the NFL. Without Suggs opposite of   him, Dumervil’s sack total dropped from 17 a year ago to 6 this season. With his pass rushing partner on the field, Dumervil terrorizes offensive line coaches. Without Suggs, Dumervil has to do more of the dirty work and gets more attention from blockers.

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The only things that can go undefeated in professional football are time and the 1972 Miami Dolphins. Eventually the Ravens will have to replace the man the passionately refer to as “Sizzle.” Suggs has had a long run with the Ravens and is recovering from his second major injury. The Ravens must desperately hope that they get at least one more great season from their defensive leader.