Meanwhile then, they plan to have top-draft-pick Courtney Upshaw replace him. Upshaw was taken out of Alabama, as he looks to play in the role of Suggs.
Upshaw has solid run-stopping and pass-rushing abilities, having 16.5 sacks in his last two seasons with the Crimson Tide.
However, Upshaw doesn't see himself replacing Suggs. In fact, he says no one can replace him.
“The coaches told me to come out here this mini-camp and learn the defense, come out here and compete,” Upshaw told Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. “Honestly, speaking on Suggs, there’s only one Suggs. You can’t replace Suggs. Everybody’s got to come in as a team. The veteran leadership on this team is not going to allow slacking on my part or anybody else’s. Everybody’s gotta step up.”
Upshaw looks to do well this season. He has the skills. The question is if he can step in immediately.
Josh Dhani is the founder of FootBasket. He also contributes at Hoops Authority and Eight Points Nine Seconds. You can read more about him at his website. Follow him on Twitter @joshdhani.
