Ndamukong Suh isn’t good with a bad reputation

Ndamukong Suh is in Tampa Bay for two reasons. To help win games, and to set a tone for a team long adrift.

Suh was signed in May to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million. The 32-year-old is replacing Gerald McCoy, who the Buccaneers released a week ago to relieve a bad salary cap situation. With Suh, the idea is that Tampa Bay will find an identity on the defensive side of the ball.

However, Suh was clear on Friday that he’s dealt with fines and suspensions in the past. Although he insisted that he’s not worthy of a poor reputation at this juncture of his career. Per ESPN:

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“I think when you look at people in general, you’ve got to get to know them, you’ve got to have face time with them, you’ve got to be able to have the opportunity to interact with them,” Suh said. “Before you pass judgment on somebody, always take the time to get to know them, meet them, have coffee with them, whatever it may be and then be able to go from there.

“I think when people have seen blips of me … it’s been in a negative light, rather than a positive light and that’s due to outlets of media, social media, whatever it may be. I can deal with that because I know who I am as a person, I know who my parents are, what kind of child they brought up — it’s irrelevant in my life. The people that know me the best see me always in a good light and see the troubles and tribulations that I’ve gone through, as any human being goes through in their lives.”

Suh makes a bevy of good points. It’s also true that he was a dirty player during his time with the Detroit Lions. However, he’s largely stayed above the proverbial fray since leaving Motown following the 2014 season. During his time with the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Rams, Suh was not suspended.

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For Tampa Bay, the mean streak will be welcomed. The Buccaneers haven’t made the playoffs since the Jon Gruden era, and the defense has largely been bland and without identity since the days of Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks and John Lynch.

With new head coach Bruce Arians running the show for the Buccaneers, times are changing in Tampa Bay. Ndamukong Suh is hoping to be part of that, both by winning games and rehabbing his image.