Division rival’s mouth enough to motivate Arizona Cardinals

Ndamukong Suh’s rude remarks may motivate the Arizona Cardinals’ Sam Bradford to excel against the Los Angeles Rams in 2018

For the past several years, the Arizona Cardinals’ most hated rival in the NFC West has been the Seattle Seahawks. With the help of a free agent addition named Ndamukong Suh, however, it now appears as if the Los Angeles Rams are more than willing to assume that role.

The newest member of the Rams’ vaunted defensive line recently provided the Cardinals’ offense with some juicy bulletin board material. The 6’4″, 300 pounder has never been afraid to speak his mind. It’s obvious that a fresh start out in California has not changed Suh in the least.

His target on the Cards is their brand-new starting quarterback, Sam Bradford. Suh’s problem with “Sammy Sleeves” apparently dates all the way back to 2010, when the passer was the first player selected during that offseason’s NFL Draft. Coincidentally, it was the Rams (who resided in St. Louis at the time) who had made Bradford the first pick on that April day.

The next player to come off of the board on that Thursday evening was none other than Suh, who was taken by the Detroit Lions with the second selection. The University of Nebraska product has been angry ever since. Suh has told anyone who will listen that he, not Bradford, should’ve went number-one, and he has obviously not gotten over it.

“I always mark the calendar when I have Sam Bradford on there”, Suh quipped as a guest on the “Around the NFL Podcast” this past Thursday. “I’ve always looked forward to going against him.” Boy, talk about holding a grudge.

The fact of the matter is, the Rams had a need at the quarterback position back in ’10. And had actually come away from that draft with one who was quite good. Bradford had won the Heisman Trophy in 2008 while starring for the Oklahoma Sooners, and claimed “Offensive Rookie of the Year” honors as a pro following his inaugural campaign with St. Louis.

Suh’s declaration that he’ll “definitely try to hit him (Bradford) as hard as I can” should act as a motivating factor for Arizona’s offensive line. Protecting their injury-prone leader will be the season’s number-one priority. His inflammatory comments are the epitome of a challenge for the blocking unit of the Cardinals, in every sense of the word.

At the end of the day, Suh’s remarks reek of sour grapes. Maybe the 31-year old’s family and friends should recommend to him that he forget about it. With some assistance from his teammates in front of him, perhaps Bradford will soon make Suh regret that he opened up his mouth in the first place.