Frenemies? Lions' Suh, NFL discipline czar build bond

It's a unique relationship, for sure, like an inmate turning to his warden for advice on how to stay out of prison.

But Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and Troy Vincent have struck an unusual accord in the last year, since Vincent took over as NFL executive vice president of football operations -- the man in charge of doling out discipline to players across the league.

Vincent told the Free Press last week at the Super Bowl that he and Suh have stayed in regular contact since last spring, when Vincent was promoted to his post and reached out to nearly two dozen players at risk of suspensions because of their on-field history.

The two talked a few days before the Pro Bowl last month and plan to meet in New York later this off-season. And even though he suspended Suh for twice stepping on Aaron Rodgers' leg in the Lions' Week 17 loss to the Green Bay Packers, Vincent defended the all-pro defensive tackle and said that the incident was not a case of Suh reverting to his old ways.

"I would say no. I don't think that's fair," Vincent said. "I don't think that's fair, because he and I had discussion after his appeal and, once again, it's always, 'Suh, for you, it's always been that last one or two steps that puts us in this position that calls the question of are you a dirty player or are you not.' And it was the same discussion: 'Could you have? At the end of that play, did you have to ... or did you such and such?'

"But he's done a phenomenal job. Just based off of where he's come from and the adjustment that we've asked him to make without turning off the motor. He's done a tremendous job, coaching staff has done a tremendous job of adjusting."

The final year of Suh's rookie contract voids Friday, and he'll become an unrestricted free agent March 10 if he doesn't sign with the Lions in the next 4 1/2 weeks.

For five years, he has been one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the NFL, with 36 career sacks, four Pro Bowl selections and brute strength that has made him one of the most feared players in the league.

But while the Lions and other potential suitors must weigh the risk of giving Suh a $100-million contract, with the knowledge that he's perennially one step away from another suspension, Vincent said that isn't necessarily the case.

"Suh had a history, and he has been one that we sat down extensively. We talk, we stay in constant contact. Sitting down, from coach (Jim) Caldwell, coordinator, position coach, and he embraced that," Vincent said. "I think he really appreciated the fact that someone was taking interest in keeping him on the field. The objective is keeping him on the field so he can be the best example that he can be. He adjusted his play."

In his first four NFL seasons, Suh was suspended once, for stomping on the arm of Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith, and fined six times for player safety violations. He had a seventh fine, for an illegal hit, overturned on appeal.

Since Vincent took over last year, Suh stayed out of NFL trouble until the Rodgers incident -- a big reason arbitrator that Ted Cottrell overturned the suspension and issued a $70,000 fine instead.

"The play that we saw later on in the season was, there's certain tactics that we just, we want to remove from the game," Vincent said. "And we felt like that was a violation. That was a nonfootball play that truly could have caused injury to an opponent. And our objective here is to protect players from unnecessary risk."

Vincent said that his objective in building a relationship with Suh is even simpler: to keep him on the field for whatever team he's with next year.

The Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears and New York Jets are among potential suitors should Suh hit free agency.

"He has the opportunity to be the best defensive player in the National Football League," Vincent said. "How do we take a holistic approach to being great today and actually being a great example for others?"

The second part of that equation is personal to Vincent, who said that his 14-year-old son, Taron, a freshman defensive tackle at Gilman High in Baltimore, "wants to be like Suh."

"That's his player," Vincent said. "So as a parent and then as an officer here, as a league representative, there's a responsibility, and I think it's important for us to constantly remind individuals of how great they can be. And rather than seeing the worst in an individual, just taking the time to see the best in an individual, and we see people adjust all the time. And he's done that."

And how would Vincent feel if his son played like Suh on the field?

"Well, I'll take the motor," Vincent said. "You can't play and teach the motor. He's a phenomenal football player. Again, we've just seen some actions that we just want to remove from the game to make the game better."

Note: The Tennessee Titans have hired Dick LeBeau as their assistant head coach in charge of defense, pairing the Hall of Fame player and veteran coach with Ray Horton. LeBeau played for the Lions in 1959-72.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. The Associated Press contributed.