Watching the Big 12 title game Saturday night, I was trying to think of a college defensive tackle I have seen dominate a game like Ndamukong Suh did for Nebraska. He single-handily kept his team in that game by repeatedly collapsing Texas’ offensive line in the middle.
The name that came to mind was Steve Entman, the defensive tackle at Washington in the early 1990s.
Suh has been doing this a lot late in the season. He wasn’t nearly as dominant early in the season. He has clearly separated himself from the rest of the pack to be the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. And that is saying a lot because this is a deep draft for defensive players, particularly linemen.
He is a perfect fit for the Lions, who unlikely will have the first pick in the draft, though, because they beat the Browns.
Suh should come with the following warning: Defensive tackles taken first overall in the NFL Draft have generally not gone on to become dominant players in the NFL.
The last three defensive tackles selected first overall in the NFL Draft were Dan Wilkinson, Entman and Russell Maryland. Wilkinson and Maryland had long NFL careers, but were hardly dominant NFL players. Entman only had a brief NFL career because of lingering injury issues.
It’s rare the defensive lineman that can control a game from the inside. Warren Sapp was probably the best example. He provided the best of both worlds - gap control and plays. Shaun Rogers had fleeting moments doing it for the Lions.
Mostly teams want gap control. It is hard enough to find. Maryland, Entman and Wilkinson were the first overall selections in three of the first four years of the 1990s. Notice how teams haven’t gone back to that position since?
That thinking could play into the Lions’ hands on draft day. Maybe the Browns would pass on Suh?

Random Thoughts

- The Red Wings are finally showing something on the road. Big comeback to earn a point in New Jersey Saturday. Nice win last night against the Rangers in New York. Now they must take advantage of their home games this week. Jimmy Howard has played well for the Red Wings. It’s starting to look like he is a keeper. Still, if the playoffs started today, the Red Wings would not be in the field.

- Just so you know, Texas Tech, Michigan State’s opponent in the Alamo Bowl, beat Nebraska and Oklahoma by a combined score of 72-23 this season.

- I think the BCS title game will be terrific. Alabama is a slight favorite, but I see it as a pick ‘em game. And, no, I don’t think the other unbeatens are getting a raw deal. Cincinnati, TCU and Boise State would not have come close to running the table in the SEC or Big 12. I’m not sure about the Big Ten, though.

My column in Monday's Oakland Press: Stafford Must Play Better http://tinyurl.com/ygm3ady