Sizzle will be playing in his sixteenth year this September, but the biggest question mark is can he continue to produce like the Terrell Suggs of old?
Looking back on the 2003 NFL draft, I still can’t come to grips with the fact that then Arizona State’s pass rusher Terrell Suggs somehow fell to the tenth overall pick. In 2002 Suggs set an NCAA record with 24 sacks. To put it into perspective, Myles Garrett and Bradley Chubb, the first pass rushers off the board at one and fifth overall, in the last two drafts, didn’t combine for that number. In what was a major draft drop, turned into one of Ozzie’s more historic picks in his tenure as GM.
Fast forward a decade and a half, in what seems to be football’s version of Benjamin Button: Suggs is still getting after the quarterback and hasn’t missed a beat. Still causing headaches for offensive tackles and defensive coordinators. Ever since Ray Lewis and Ed Reed hung up the cleats, Suggs has held the mantle as being the leader of the Ravens defense. This past season Suggs led the team with 11 sacks. And as 2018 is right around the corner the Ravens will need Suggs to have a full gas tank as they hope to make a deep playoff run with their new revamped offense.
More from Ebony Bird
- New Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code for Ravens Fans
- Why Baltimore Ravens might use non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson
- Should Baltimore Ravens have interest in bringing back Justice Hill
- Should the Baltimore Ravens trade up for Anthony Richardson?
- Should Baltimore Ravens re-sign Kenyan Drake?
It also happens to be the biggest question mark on the team’s depth chart. Which is frustrating and hard to believe. Ozzie has drafted his fair share of pass rushers, that unfortunately just haven’t panned out. Going into 2018, the defense will likely lean on Suggs and Matthew Judon coming off the edge. Second year players Tyus Bowser and Tim Williams will certainly be looked at to contribute more than they did in their rookie years. Hopefully Wink will implement and scheme them in correctly for what they were drafted to do: Rush the QB.
Just how much longer can the Ravens count on Suggs to produce like he has?
Over the years Sizzle hasn’t exactly abstained for major injuries. Tearing both of his Achilles tendons, in 2012 and 2015. And most recently tearing his Bicep in the 2016 season. In the long run major injuries like these will hit a player like an avalanche coming down the mountain.
Suggs isn’t like most players though. In 2012 when he did tear his Achilles tendon in the offseason, most thought he was done. Most players take a minimum of a year to come back from an injury of that nature. Suggs was back by October of the same year. He’s just built different. Although Suggs has had a hell of a career and defied the odds more than once. Father time waits for no one. The future hall of famer will be turning 36 this upcoming season and something we are all asking ourselves but dread the answer is: Just how much longer does he have left?
The bottom line:
Suggs will be entering the final year of his current contract in 2018. And it’s hard to believe that new general manager Eric Decosta will give a then 37-year-old pass rusher a contract extension. At the end of the day, this is a “what can you do for me now business” not “what have you done for me.” Ravens fans could very likely be watching Terrell Suggs’ final games as a Baltimore Raven in 2018.
Next: 4 familiar faces the Ravens should cut
Expect the Ball so Hard University alum to play with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove in hopes of one more contract. And let’s hope he does such. Because seeing Terrell Suggs in a different uniform is something no Raven fan wants to see come to fruition.