Leon Halip - Getty Images
10 months ago: DETROIT - AUGUST 12: Ndamukong Suh #90 of the Detroit Lions hits quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals in the second quarter and is called for a roughing the passer penalty during the game at Ford Field on August 12, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Browns front office and coaching staff has shown a lot of confidence in second-year offensive lineman Shawn Lauvao. The team did not re-sign last year's starting right guard, Floyd Womack, and decided to hand the job to Lauvao instead. Lauvao has responded with a solid training camp and a good effort against the Green Bay Packers in the team's first preseason game. On Friday, he'll face his toughest test when he lines up against Ndamukong Suh on the other side of the line of scrimmage.
Suh lived up to expectations last season with Detroit, and I don't think there is any question that he brings a nastiness that has to strike some fear in opposing quarterbacks. Last year in the preseason, he had no qualms about tossing Jake Delhomme around like he was a rag doll, and he was subsequently fined $7,500 for it.
Last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, Suh broke through a double-team and threw rookie quarterback Andy Dalton to the turf. Today, it was revealed that Suh was fined $20,000 for the play. This will be a good time to evaluate just how stable the right side of the offensive line is this season. Lauvao is expected to play the first half with the starters, and it will be important for him to contain Suh as best as he can so Colt McCoy doesn't end up on his back, or worse, injured. Right now, all McCoy can do is have faith playing with the guys he has:
"In my position, I have to trust these guys in front of me, and I do," McCoy said. "If I'm concentrating on guys rushing and blitzing, then I'm out of the play. I won't be able to see what's going on down field, so I just need to trust those guys."
At least Suh doesn't line up over the left guard. There is a fair chance that starter Eric Steinbach will miss Friday's game and rookie offensive lineman Jason Pinkston will start in his place. That would be a terrible mismatch for a low-round rookie lineman to get his first starting experience against a player of Suh's caliber. Nick Fairley, the other half of the Lions' defensive tackle unit, will miss the game with an injury.
0 recs | 63 comments
Joe Thomas will be wearing syrup cologne tomorrow night. When Detroit’s D-line gets a whiff they will beg for butter.
crazyL80 - August 18, 2011
I gaurantee joe thomas will be handing out pancakes tommarow.
lightninmcqueen - August 18, 2011 via mobile
When he’s finished, he’ll be handing out dictionaries.
Dawg Nuts - August 19, 2011
what does this even
pwndabear - August 19, 2011
North Coast Flea - August 19, 2011
that word is not in the dictionary…
pwndabear - August 19, 2011
Nor is
.JustBob - August 19, 2011
In other news, mike vick looking like complete poo tonight with a beastly passer rating of….13.5
lightninmcqueen - August 18, 2011 via mobile
haha, good! Bross just drafted him
Kimble_79 - August 18, 2011
I like Suh but....
… if he tries to do to McCoy what he has done to Delhomme, etc… I would hope he meets two little friends I call counter gap and counter trey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter_trey).
He is a man sized man, but a just a man nonetheless. Men have knees. Two knees in fact. Knees are weak.
This is the best way I can think of to put Joe Thomas in the vicinity of Suh at the point of attack. My faith is in JT if that happens.
subadai - August 18, 2011
You think Tonya still has Jeff Gillooly on speed dial?
Simmsinns - August 18, 2011
As long as we have play side G (Lauvao) and off side T (JT aka YHWH…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahweh)) on speed dial, we will be ok.
subadai - August 19, 2011
+ JT Blasphemy
There is a fair amount of blaspheming going on around here these days.
I usually don’t hold with blasphemy but …
I don’t want to be the batter between the griddle and Joe Thomas.
subadai - August 19, 2011
He’s coming for you. Don’t run it will only make things worse.
North Coast Flea - August 19, 2011
We probably won’t run either of those plays. Sorry.
We could still cut him a whole bunch on zone-blocked plays, though.
rufio - August 19, 2011
I hope JT doesn’t pancake you for implying he needs to go after knees to destroy a mortal.
darthVictor13 - August 19, 2011
Right. Joe Thomas needs no tricks to dominate.
Dawg Nuts - August 19, 2011
Really...this is REALLY a good idea?
As a Lion fan i can hardly believe what i am reading… wow
Shankdiddy - August 19, 2011
Live by the the spear, die by the spear. News flash: its a dirty game pal.
burntorangeandbrown - August 19, 2011
Especially when Suh is playing.
North Coast Flea - August 19, 2011
I’d normally sympathize with you and say never hope for an injury… But it turns out that men have heads too, and your boy Suh doesn’t seem to think Jake Delhomme needs his. So… I would not feel bad if Suh got injured.
shep615 - August 19, 2011
Do you know what a cut block is?
notthatnoise - August 19, 2011
Apparently as dirty as head ripping?
SpecialBrownie - August 19, 2011
McCoy will be fine. Suh sacked him what, 9 times in the Big 12 championship game? McCoy can take what Suh has to dish out.
scrumm - August 19, 2011
In his very next game, BCS Championship of all things, McCoy suffered a shoulder injury and had to leave the remainder of the bout after only his fifth play from scrimmage.
Luckily, the Browns have something the 2009 Texas Longhorns did not… and his name is Joe Thomas.
Simmsinns - August 19, 2011
If i could, i’d rec
lightninmcqueen - August 19, 2011 via mobile
That was a freak injury. I really don’t think it had a lot to do with “wearing down” or anything like that. Plus Colt had like what, two years between the end of the regular season and the BCS championship?
rufio - August 19, 2011
I was only joking. I also doubt Suh actually tendered him up or anything. And, yeah, the break you mention is massive in length.
Simmsinns - August 19, 2011
That was a sad sight to see – Suh through Colt around like a rag doll. I do think he concussed Colt by the end of the game though. Colt who was really good at clock management almost ran out the final 7 seconds of the clock. I think later he admitted he was somewhat “groggy”. Good luck to Shawn – saying prayers that Suh stays out of the backfield. I think Suh is now the most feared defensive player in the game.
realmccoy - August 19, 2011
Grammar fail – “threw”
realmccoy - August 19, 2011
There’s no question about it. Suh had literally laid waste to the Texas offensive line for the entire game. Colt had been running for his life for four quarters and took several body slams. He was reeling and was really out of it on that last series. It was a little scary, I’d never seen him like that. But – then again, he did have the last laugh… 13-12 Texas baby – Hook Em!
burntorangeandbrown - August 19, 2011
Colt is one of the gutsiest QBs I have ever seen. I know on here – there is more focus on “arm strength” – but to me the SOB just wins. I do have to admit – I have never seen a collegiate defensive performance like Suh put on. The guy has just amazing strength and quickness for his size. Sort of like a high motor, lean Shaun Rogers. Hook Em Horns and Browns!
realmccoy - August 19, 2011
We’re actually not all that concerned with arm strength. Many of us think it’s the most overrated thing about a QB.
We just realize that Colt hasn’t proven anything in the NFL yet. Amazing College QB, and I think he can be a pretty good pro QB, but those are different things.
notthatnoise - August 19, 2011
burntorangeandbrown - August 19, 2011
Arguing about whether or not he has arm strength is not the same as thinking it’s important. I’ve stated numerous times that I think arm strength is overrated and accuracy is by far the most important thing a QB can have.
But if someone claims McCoy has a cannon, they’re still wrong.
notthatnoise - August 19, 2011
Respectfully disagree Noise. Do you know how many posts I read on how Brady Quinn was the franchise savior? And he had proved squat. Last year – Jake was coming off literally one of the worst seasons by a veteran QB in the history of football. When I stated that it was possible that a 3rd round pick could be better than this “washed up has-been” – people were saying that Colt would be cut and that I was a homer. I am sure it will turn around, and if Colt has another game against the Lions like he had last week – it will prolly reverse and we will give him more credit than he deserves – OIC.
realmccoy - August 19, 2011
I think your memories are incorrect. Brady Quinn was hated by a lot of people on here from the moment he was drafted, myself included in that. Last year I was in the extreme minority that actually liked the Delhomme pickup. Grossi was the only person who ever thought Colt would be cut, and we mocked him for it.
notthatnoise - August 19, 2011
Did any of them happen to be by the ND homer?
rufio - August 19, 2011
A lot of people think arm strength is overrated.
Colt was an amazing, record-setting, phenomenal college QB. He hasn’t done it in the NFL yet.
rufio - August 19, 2011
Suh is lucky that Hillis isn’t playing. Then he’d be double pancaked between JT & PH…
J. W. - August 19, 2011
Stay low, engage, keep control with bent elbows, pushing and pulling to gain control. Move your feet around your leveraging like a pivot, keeping your body in front of him. I think you can take him, your built to not be moved. Remember, lower body, low center of gravity, move your feet to stay in front of him. Upper body, upward motions, win the hand game, maintain leverage bending elbows, pushing and pulling intuitively to counter his intentions.
mooncamping - August 19, 2011
This is all very good, although I was thinking something more along the lines of JUST STOP THAT SOB!
burntorangeandbrown - August 19, 2011
I’m with you. I’d suggest the Browns strategically place some landmines throughout the center of the field and lure Suh onto them. It may be the only thing that works.
Dawg Nuts - August 19, 2011
it’d get pretty messy though. haven’t you seen the video where they blow up a rotting beached whale?
here’s a picture right before they pressed the ignition button:
pwndabear - August 19, 2011
Stop making fun, Ben Roethlisberger made an honest woman out of her.
Dawg Nuts - August 19, 2011
Love this.
notthatnoise - August 19, 2011
New gameshow:
FLAG…
…or…
…REC!
rufio - August 19, 2011
Mystery door #3:
REC
Simmsinns - August 19, 2011
Okay. I did all that. Now what?
JustBob - August 19, 2011
Step 2 : ?
Step 3: Profit
North Coast Flea - August 19, 2011
Interesting comments
As a big football fan I thought I’d check out what you folks were thinking. I don’t think there is any place for the “decapitation” move Suh has used. I think that $20,000 was excessive especially if you count Suh’s tackle on Cutler, who left quarterback status and becomes a RB when he decideds to run. That was the second incident Suh got fined for. What makes Suh so valuable to our D-line is the 2 men blocking him frees up what has become a much upgraded rest of the gang. So unless Joe T. is blocking Suh 1 on 1. Game on.
Slydoggie - August 19, 2011
please use Joe Thomas’ whole name when speaking of Joe Thomas.
The only other acceptable means of referring to Joe Thomas other than Joe Thomas are:
Mr. Thomas
Sir Thomas
Mr. Thomas Sir
Mr. Joe Thomas Sir
Mr. President of Pancake Operations
Our Lord and Saviour
He Who Pancakes
Master of All of Whom He Pancakes
Distributor of Pancakes
Infallable Leader Of Those Who Worship The Pancake God Which Is Everyone If They Know Whats Good For Them
The Joe
pwndabear - August 19, 2011
You forgot one:
The One True God
North Coast Flea - August 19, 2011
Indeed, just in case anyone needed evidence, he’s a historical art reference to the event known as The Creation of Culy
Simmsinns - August 19, 2011
As long as Culy isn’t texting this picture to locker room reporters, I think we’re good.
Simmsinns - August 19, 2011
So that’s what he was studying under Brett for.
rufio - August 19, 2011
This is not worthy of Joe Thomas’ high stature; you flew too close to the sun and will now be pancaked.
Dawg Nuts - August 19, 2011
And yet he is The One and Only Joe, all other joe’s are impostors disgracing his name. With the exception of Joe Haden, whom Joe Thomas has taken under his wing.
crazyL80 - August 19, 2011
At some point, Joe Thomas will decide the joke is old and will dish out pancakes to those who continue to beat the dead horse.
scrumm - August 19, 2011
The reason his fine was so big was because he’s a repeat offender. He’s done it more than once, so his fine goes up. It’s also something he’s doing to people’s heads, which is a point of emphasis for the NFL. Next time he’ll probably get suspended, and he’ll deserve it.
notthatnoise - August 19, 2011
The tackle on Cutler was 100% clean. If you are a QB and you aren’t sliding, you are going to get hit as hard as possible. There was no helmet to helmet, there was no pansycrap rule protecting him.
The hits on Delhomme and Dalton were different. Slamming the guy to the ground after he’s gotten rid of the ball is dirty. Grabbing the facemask is a penalty. The NFL agrees and has fined him.
If you are a DT and you slam a guy like that when he has the ball, you are playing aggressive. Suh went over the line, even if he had no idea where the ball was.
rufio - August 19, 2011
Actually the commish has taken a lot of criticism over fines for hits. He acted a little gun shy for a repeat offender. Suh should have been fined 2 games (as in suspended for the first two games). This would have woke up the rest of the league that cheating – dirty plays will not be tolerated. no more fining, just suspend the dirty players, and if they continue, then fine the team draft picks.
J. W. - August 19, 2011
Never said he didn’t.
Not sure if he can do this. Also don’t think owners would be too happy about it.
rufio - August 20, 2011
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