Terrell Suggs

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Baltimore Ravens
currentnumber=55
currentpositionplain=Linebacker / Defensive end
birthdate=birth date and age|1982|10|11
birthplace=Minneapolis, Minnesota
heightft=6
heightin=3
weight=260
debutyear=2003
debutteam=Baltimore Ravens
college=Arizona State
draftyear=2003
draftround=1
draftpick=10
pastteams=
* Baltimore Ravens (2003-present)|status=Franchise Tag
highlights=
* Ted Hendricks Award (2002)
* Lombardi Award (2002)
* Bronko Nagurski Trophy (2002)
* AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2003)
* 2x Pro Bowl selection (2004, 2006)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=300
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=45.0
statlabel3=Interceptions
statvalue3=3
nfl=SUG467201

Terrell Raynonn Suggs (born October 11, 1982 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an American football linebacker and defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Ravens 10th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona State.

High School career

Moved to several school growing up. Initially he attended Chandler High School but later transferred to Hamilton High School, both in Chandler, Arizona.

College career

Suggs attended Arizona State University, where he played defensive end for both Bruce Snyder and Dirk Koetter. He finished his career there with 163 tackles, including a school career record 65.5 tackles for losses, a school career record 44 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions, and 9 passes deflected. As a junior, he had 24 sacks. He was a secondary education/history major.

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens

Suggs was signed by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round (10th overall) in the 2003 NFL Draft becoming one of the youngest defensive players at the age of 20 years old until defensive tackle Amobi Okoye was signed by the Texans at age 19 in 2007. Suggs' enjoyed immediate success in his rookie year, as he recorded 12 sacks and 1 interception and earning Defensive Rookie of The Year honors while playing the left outside linebacker position in Baltimore's 3-4 defensive scheme. His best season came in 2004 when he was elected to his first Pro Bowl in which he had 10.5 sacks and recorded 60 tackles. In 2005, Suggs' defensive coordinator of his only two years in the NFL, Mike Nolan was signed to be the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. The Baltimore Ravens hired their new defensive co-ordinator Rex Ryan, son of legendary defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, who moved Suggs' position from outside linebacker to defensive end. Although Suggs was primarily a defensive end in 2005, he still recorded a personal record of 2 interceptions in 2005. His 8 sacks were a career low but they mostly came at the end of the season when Suggs was getting accustomed to his new position.

In the 2006 season, Suggs helped the Raven's defense only allow 12.7 points per game, being the NFL's best overall defense. He played alongside many defensive stars like Ray Lewis, Trevor Pryce, Bart Scott, Adalius Thomas, Chris McAlister, and Ed Reed. He earned a second Pro Bowl appearance for his efforts.

The following season, 2007, he made 78 tackles and five sacks. [{http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6346/career;_ylt=AoZnUX7Moa7ZI5D.c229jp3.uLYF}]

On February 19, 2008 the Ravens placed the franchise tag on him, keeping him on the Ravens for at least the 2008 season. Suggs initially filed a grievance, since the team had designated him as a LB with the franchise tag rather than a DE, which resulted in a monetary difference of about $800,000. Despite being unhappy with the franchise tag, Suggs reported to offseason minicamps to practice with the team. On May 13th, 2008, Suggs reportedly reached an agreement with the Ravens to split the difference in the franchise tag amounts of a LB and a DE and drop his grievance. The NFL and NFLPA has yet to ok the deal, however.

References

External links

* [http://www.baltimoreravens.com/People/Players/Active/Terrell_Suggs.aspx Ravens Player Bio]