Mayhew Still Optimistic Lions Can Sign Suh, Says Team Prepared To Pay What It Takes To Keep Him [VIDEO]
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew spoke at the NFL combine Wednesday about the team's continuing pursuit of the All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
Mayhew opened his media availability by stating that while a deal with Suh is not done, Mayhew remains optimistic that the Lions will be able to retain their most important free agent.
Mayhew said Suh likes the coach, teammates and general situation with the Lions, but he noted the team recognizes the money it will take to keep Suh in Detroit, and the Lions are willing to spend it.
"We know, as we talked about before, when you talk about good players, you talk about spending money to get those guys signed, so we're prepared for what it takes financially to get him signed," Mayhew said. "In terms of the franchise tag, we're still talking about it. We have not made a final determination about whether to use that or not."
To decide whether or not to use that tag, Mayhew said the organization will weigh the benefit of Suh versus the benefit of other players it might not be able to pursue if it spends so much on Suh.
"When you make that kind of financial commitment, it kind of determines what else you can do during the offseason, so that's going to be part of the equation - the value of having him versus if we don't get something done long-term, losing him, what we're able to get accomplished in the offseason," Mayhew said.
"Doesn't really handcuff us," Mayhew added. "Obviously [team president] Tom [Lewand]'s doing a deal with Jimmy Sexton, but we've been discussing that part of the situation. I think from our standpoint it's important to get something done before you get deep into free agency. We don't really have a timetable on it. We want to get something before if we can, but we'll keep working toward getting something done with the understanding that once we do that and make that financial commitment, things kind of fall into place from there."
Mayhew acknowledged that the team's overall offseason plans revolve around Suh. As a result, the team has not yet made a decision on another free agent defensive tackle, Nick Fairley.
"It's a matter of setting some priorities and then understanding some tradeoffs that have to happen," Mayhew said. "When certain things happen certain other things don't happen and vice versa.
"I can see a scenario where we have Suh and Nick back," Mayhew added, "but I can also see a scenario where we have neither one of them."
Suh has been the centerpiece of the Detroit defense since he joined the team, and the Lions are loath to give him up. Mayhew said it is difficult to quantify how much Suh means to the team but said losing him would be a significant blow to the progress the defense has made.
"It's difficult to replace his production," Mayhew said. "Obviously it would be a setback not to have him on our football team."