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Greg Rosenthal
What's up everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Terrell Suggs
What's up everyone? Julie Swerbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson. We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go. The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb. Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right? Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us. Julia's pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe. Listen to Energyline with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Stephen A. Smith
My next guest is a seven time NFL Pro Bowler and a two time super bowl champion who played for the Baltimore Ravens for 16 of his 17 seasons. Obviously before moving on to the Cardinals and the Chiefs, he was considered one of the most menacing defenders of his era and a key part of the Ravens dominant defense for so many years, finishing his career with 139 sacks, ranking eighth in NFL history. The one and only T sizzle. Terrell Suggs in the house. What's up big time? How you doing man? How's everything? Long time no see.
Terrell Suggs
What's up Stephen? A long time no see, man.
Stephen A. Smith
It's good to see you, bro. You're looking good. Looking like you're taking care of yourself in the whole bid and obviously you're a nominee for the hall of Fame. How are you feeling about that right now? You hear those words, you the hall of Fame. Obviously everybody expects you to be a first ballot hall of Famer. What are your thoughts, man?
Terrell Suggs
Man, I try not to think about it because it's giving me so much anxiety, you know what I'm saying? Jo got in on his first chance, Ray got in on his first chance, Ed got in on his first chance and now me and Marshall up. So it's very flattering, man, but it's. I ain't gonna lie. I'm feeling real anxious like last year when I retired four years ago. It's not on your mind until you're actually on the list. And now, you know, I mean, the pressure is being the first ballot. I hope I, you know, I mean, I think I got the resume. I feel like I got the resume to be first ballot, but you never know what the voters are thinking. Like, I still live with the TO thing, you know what I mean? He had the numbers to Right. You know, Carol Owens is definitely a first ballot hall of Famer, but it took him three times to get in. And you know what I mean? I'm living with that kind of like fear, you know, I mean, I just. You just want to get in. You don't want to be waiting.
Stephen A. Smith
You know, let me say this to you. And certainly me and Tio have had our differences and what have you, but make no mistake about it, he deserved to be a first ballot hall of Famer. It should have never been a second or a third ballot. It was people hating on him and using stuff out off the field in terms of his, his personality. I want to hear all of that stuff. That brother's one of the top three receivers in the history of the National Football League statistically, and he never should have gone past the first ballot. It's that simple. I could say the same for you in this regard. Just so you know, I don't know if you know this or not about yourself. I'm looking at the NFL's all time sack leaders, okay? Bruce Smith, Reggie White, Kevin Green, Julius Peppers, Chris Dolman, Michael Strahan, Jason Taylor, you, DeMarcus Ware and Richard Dent and John Randall tied, okay? All of them are in the hall of Fame. Every one of them, okay? Every one of them. So ain't no way in hell you ain't going into the hall of Fame. And, and, oh, by the way, DeMarcus Ware, Richard Dent and John Randall all have less sacks than you, so you're definitely going to the hall of Fame. I would ask.
Terrell Suggs
And less rings.
Stephen A. Smith
That's right. And less rings. And less rings. Because you got two. Here's what I would ask you. When you say anxiety, why does it mean so much to a player to ultimately be a Hall of Famer? Just put it in perspective. A lot of us who don't play think we know the obvious answer, but you give it to us, why does it mean so much?
Terrell Suggs
I think it's a, it's the, it's the pinnacle of appreciation. You know what I'm saying? You. You get kind of football immortality being a part of a championship team, but Your family, you know, I mean, your legacy. Kind of get football immortality by getting inducted into the hall of Fame. And like I said, you know, I mean, my, A lot of my constituents, a lot of my brothers, my teammates, they made it on a first ballot. They made it on their first time in. I played with those guys. And you, if you want to. I want to. Like, at this point, being a Hall of Famer just wouldn't be enough for me. It's like I, I really got my heart on being the first ballot, first ballot hall of Famer, just like my brothers before me, you know what I'm saying? And you know, it's a big shout out to Ozzy Newsom. Yeah, he should probably be the first person to go in the hall of Fame twice as a player and as a gm, you know what I'm saying? Because Ozzy's, you know, I mean, reputation, I mean, his resume speaks for itself, football wise and GM wide, like he very seldom ever misses. And you know, his last draft, he drafted Lamar Jackson and Mark Andrews. So, you know what I mean, there's nothing to say.
Stephen A. Smith
And by the way, just like, just a reminder to the audience, you were in the Ravens. You were inducted into the Ravens Ring of honor in 2023. That meant the world to you, okay? And, oh, by the way, just another statistic you might not even remember about yourself. Do you know that you played in all 16 games in the NFL season when there was a 16 game NFL season, you played in all 16 games 12 times, and you played in 15 games, and you played in 15 of the 16 games two additional times. So of your 17 years in the National Football League, 14 of those years, you never missed more than one game. 12 of those years, you didn't miss a single game. Did you know that about yourself?
Terrell Suggs
I did not know that. But that goes to show you about that Raven DNA. To be a Raven, you have to love football. And you can't just love football when the lights is on, you know what I mean? You got to love football when you're not playing, when you're at home or even taking care of your body, getting treatment, you know what I'm saying? And being in that locker room, being in that organization, that's one of the things that if you don't pick up on, you're not going to be successful there. You have to love football to be a Raven. And I just loved football, man. I loved football. I love practicing. You could ask anybody. I had the most fun at practice. I probably had more fun at practice. Than I did at the game, you know what I'm saying? So it was just. You gotta love football, man, to be a Raven.
Stephen A. Smith
All right, so you know who you talking to. And based on what you saying, you know where I'm about to go. Considering what you just said, what the hell is wrong with your Ravens now? I mean, what the. I mean, I mean, I'm talking about this defense. I'm not talking about the offense. Cause we know it's an aberration of Pittsburgh. Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and those. They gonna do what they do. Okay? We understand that. What's up with this Ravens defense? I don't even recognize him, bro. I don't even recognize it.
Terrell Suggs
We've had a lot of. We had a lot of changes on defect, you know what I'm saying? We. Losing Patrick Clean was big. Losing Gino. Gino Stone was big, you know what I'm saying? Losing. And Jadevion clowning, you know, okay, you know, the young kid coming on now. Oh, you know, I mean, I love what I seen last week, you know what I'm saying? I think the biggest. I think we. We definitely need, you know, Marlin's getting up there in age, but he's still Marlin. Yeah, he's still Marlon Humphrey. So I think we need another lockdown corner. Just, you know, I mean, not taking away from Brandon Stevens. And, you know, the young guy, Nate Wiggins, he's coming, you know what I'm saying? He's still a rookie, you know what I'm saying? And also, you know, this is Zach Orr's first time calling plays. And one thing about football fans as general is that they're not patient. They want to fix now, you know what I'm saying? Zach's first time, you know, calling planes. And I just hope, you know, hard, kind of give him a chance to fix it. Like work it out. Like everybody, you know, shout out to Mike McDonald, you know what I'm saying? You know, he called. He was an excellent defensive coordinator for us last year. Ended up getting a head coaching job, Seattle. But he was also. He'd been in the system kind of. He'd been there. He was there with us when I was there, you know what I mean? So he kind of had a feel of how to kind of call plays, you know what I mean? Under the mentorship, I think he evidently knew he was going to be a coordinator and eventually aspired to be a head coach. I think Zach, you know, he. His road, his role started a little different. He was a player first and Gradually. You know, I love that Zach's defensive coordinator. And, yes, I want to see a Raven dominant defense, what we're accustomed to seeing over there. But I also know that there's a lot more going on than what you and I are watching on tv, and they still got time to get it fit, get it fixed. And what I would say, okay, when we won the super bowl in. In 2012, that wasn't our most dominant defense.
Stephen A. Smith
No, it wasn't.
Terrell Suggs
You know what I'm saying? That wasn't like. So I don't think the fans need to, like, oh, our defense, we don't got a chance. Like, we still have when we won it. That wasn't our best defense.
Stephen A. Smith
I will say this to you, though. I would say this to you, though. T sizzle Patrick Queen. How the hell y'all let him, a Raven, become a Steeler? I mean, that's not the Raven. That's not the Ravens organization. That I would know. So I'm not gonna throw that. But that is not. That is not something that's common, bro.
Terrell Suggs
That is not very common at all. That's not very common at all. Um, I don't know. I don't know. That is a Patrick Queen question. You know what I'm saying? But, you know, it wasn't just him. You know what I mean? We let a lot of people go that I think should have never left the building. Remember, we eventually, like, we let the greatest safety ever walk out of the building. The greatest safety ever eventually went and played for another team. You know what I'm saying? So I don't think we should have ever let Matt Judon go. I don't think we should have ever let Zedarius go. I don't think we should ever let C.J. mosley go. But it happens. And when stuff like that happens, people have to understand that us as professional athletes, our window is only so big to kind of, like, set us up. And I think Patrick Queen understood the business side of it, and it was like, all right. I mean, this is the only chance I may get to get a bigger deal. I'm pretty sure they probably approach him about taking less than he was worth to play alongside Roquan, who got the big deal, you know what I'm saying? You know, it's all numbers in business. And, you know, you got to give Lamar, you know, I mean, tools to win, you know? I mean, you can't spend all your cap on defense, which. What we used to do, you know?
Stephen A. Smith
Do you ever find yourself fantasizing about, damn, what would it have been like for us when I was playing and I had Ray Lewis and I had Ed Reed and I had these cats playing if Lamar Jackson was our quarterback when we had that defense? You ever find yourself fantasizing about that?
Terrell Suggs
I do, I do. But I, I, I, I do. But, you know, I'm also appreciative for the teammates that I had at that time. But to have, you know, MVP Jackson as your quarterback, like, you can't, you can't deny that. Like, dang, can you imagine Lamar when, you know, the Ravens had Elodie and, and Jared Johnson, you know what I'm saying? Ed Reed, Jim. You know what I mean? Like, yeah, we'd have been in dynasty. Yeah, nine times out of 10, we'd have been in dynasty. But you know what I mean? You just, you just wonder. All you could do, I mean, is.
Stephen A. Smith
Just wonder, how do you feel about Lamar Jackson being as great as he is? I throw this stat at you. He is 1 in 4 lifetime now versus the Steelers. He's 1 in 5 straight up against Patrick Mahomes. Against everybody else, t sizzle. He's 65 and 18. Like 70% of his games he's won. The only problems he's had is against Patrick Mahomes and against the Steelers.
Terrell Suggs
Well, I. Patrick Mahomes. Patrick Mahomes. Okay. And I think, like, majority of those games were in arrowhead. That is a significant advantage. You know what I'm saying? I think they've only played Kansas City in Baltimore twice, but one of them.
Stephen A. Smith
Was the AFC championship game last year. Come on, now.
Terrell Suggs
Yeah, but that, that wasn't, that wasn't on Lamar. Now. That wasn't on Lamar. It was, it was a lot. It was a lot that happened.
Stephen A. Smith
That's right. In that game, Fly gotta hold on to the ball. You gotta run the football more as well. True, true.
Terrell Suggs
It was a football game, man, and, you know, shout out to the Chiefs, they wouldn't want it. You know what I mean? You got to remember it was a time where, you know, when Harbaugh first got there, we couldn't get past the Steelers, you know what I'm saying? And then we couldn't get past the Patriots. It's just like stepping stones. Not everybody is, you know, Patrick Mahomes that can just come in and have winning records against everybody they playing against, you know what I'm saying? So it was a lot win that game. But yeah, it's, it's like, all right, it can't just be on Lamar. No, More, you know what I'm saying? Like, all right, Lamar's one in four, and I think the Steelers are like seven of their last eight against Baltimore or something crazy like that. You know what I mean? Like that. That's. That's everybody. That ain't just a quarterback.
Stephen A. Smith
I got you.
Terrell Suggs
That's everybody.
Stephen A. Smith
I got you. Let me ask you this. Let me ask you this. What do you miss most about playing the locker room?
Terrell Suggs
I don't miss hitting people. You don't miss.
Stephen A. Smith
You don't miss hitting people?
Terrell Suggs
I don't miss hitting people. This body has ran its course, you know what I mean? I don't miss hitting people. I miss the locker room like, just that. The camaraderie we had, the relationships we had, just the fun we had in our little boys club locker room. That's what I miss the most. I get. That's the most. That's. That's the question I get asked the most, is what do I miss most? Do you miss playing? I'm like, no, I don't miss playing. I miss the locker room. And, you know, I hear stories about stuff I used to do and say, and I'd be like, I didn't. I didn't do that. I like, I almost don't believe it. But apparently the. The guy I am now was a different person when I was wearing helmet and shoulder pads, and I guess that's all of us. But I definitely miss the locker room, and I definitely think Justin Tucker needs me in the locker room, like right now. Right. I think if you in the lock.
Stephen A. Smith
If you were in the locker room right now, what would you be saying to the Baltimore Ravens?
Terrell Suggs
Like, I want to know. So we had this thing. We had this thing. I'm pretty sure you remember, you know the movie Meet the Parent. They had the big circle of trust.
Stephen A. Smith
Yep.
Terrell Suggs
So we used to have a big chalkboard and we was good at policing ourselves. So right now we have a big circle of trust. And probably the only person would be on in there is Derek Henry. Derek Henry, probably Derek Henry and offensive line, probably the only people be in the circle of trust right now. You know what I mean? But everybody be kicked out, you know what I mean? And we all have to earn ourselves back in. They usually earn it back in by getting a win. And you damn sure warning by. By beating your division rivals, you know what I'm saying? So it's going to come down the pipe again. We gonna see them again, we're gonna see Cleveland again, you know what I mean? And we gonna Play it at the lies, you know what I mean?
Stephen A. Smith
But I never mentioned this to you before, but I'll tell it to you now. First of all, when they call ut Sizzle, obviously you brought something to the game, something significant to the game. You also brought something significant to your interviews. Like seeing you on tv. USA was damn near must see TV because you always had some shit to say. Always, always used to love it, right?
Terrell Suggs
Definitely.
Stephen A. Smith
Who did you like talking to most on television in the media?
Terrell Suggs
Definitely you. Skip. You know Skip, he's just. To me, he's an antagonist, you know what I mean? So it was like, I'm giving it to you because you like everybody. I don't like. So, you know, you like the Patriots, you like the Steelers, you like the Cowboys. I'm like, no, I'm all of them. So you definitely my number one foe. And I like basically talking to the other team, right? You know what I mean? It's like, how can I get them kind of to play into my hands, you know what I mean? I used to get a lot of slides and chips out of the Steelers because they didn't want me harassing Big Ben, you know what I mean? But I'd be like, I feel like they scared of me. That's why they always sliding, you know, my way, you know what I'm saying? I used to say something to try to get singled up.
Stephen A. Smith
You remember that quote you gave about Big Ben, right? God could have his soul, but his ass is mine. That's what you said. That's one of the all time great quotes you gave about Big Ben Froethensberger, right?
Terrell Suggs
Absolutely. I just wanted to let him know, like, yo, hey, I respect your game, you know what I'm saying? I probably wouldn't beat Sizzle if it wasn't for Big Ben and you know, the Pittsburgh Steelers, you know what I'm saying? But I'm coming for you. I'm letting them know, you know what I'm saying? And it was that, that was when we used to get the hit and the Raven Steelers was Raven Steelers. That's when the game was really fun.
Stephen A. Smith
You think the Ravens gonna win it this year or are you fearful that they gonna come up short again?
Terrell Suggs
I think they will. This is the thing. Everybody know. Well, true football fans know that football between September and December is one thing. January football is a whole nother thing. Everybody get a clean slate. It don't matter if you lost to the Raiders in week two, you know what I mean? And you blew out Dallas in week three. None of that matters, you know what I'm saying? When you get into January football, you have to produce, you have to play. And it's a one week season, you know what I'm saying? And honestly, everybody knows a Baltimore team in January is dangerous. We're dangerous. So I think we just gotta weather the storm now, play it out. You know what I mean? Definitely win the rest of our home game. Win the division if we can.
Stephen A. Smith
Right?
Terrell Suggs
You know what I mean? Right. And getting to January, once we get into January, then we could play our style. So.
Stephen A. Smith
So you got the Ravens coming out of the AFC going to the Super Bowl. Who they playing against, bro? Is it Detroit? Is it Philadelphia? Who you got?
Terrell Suggs
It's absolutely Detroit. Detroit Lions. Like, we were robbed last year of possibly the best super bowl house possibly ever. Detroit, Baltimore in Vegas. But this year, we get a chance to do it now. Now, just think Detroit Lions vs. Baltimore Ravens in the Big Easy. Yeah. Oh, man, we're gonna have two weeks down in the Big. And you know the last time the super bowl was in New Orleans.
Stephen A. Smith
That's right.
Terrell Suggs
Who got that thing done?
Stephen A. Smith
Y'all did. Y'all. Y'all did. But the lights. Listen, y'all almost lost it. Cause y'all were doing y'all thing, and then the damn lights went out. And then the lights went out and Colin Kaepernick never came back on you, y'all.
Terrell Suggs
We was messing up the money. We was messing up the money, the spread and all of that. They hit the switch on us. We f to put up 52 on there. Like, we was like, hey, man, we gonna score 52 points. We gonna send Ray off right by scoring 52. We probably went same thing, same lion score, you know, 52 to 6.
Stephen A. Smith
But so you telling me, how is that?
Terrell Suggs
Feed in love.
Stephen A. Smith
So you telling me that San Francisco's near comeback in the super bowl against y'all was a product of the damn electricity going out and stuff like that and, and, and, and that disrupted y'all. Is that what it is?
Terrell Suggs
Nah, I ain't gonna say that.
Stephen A. Smith
All right.
Terrell Suggs
We like to have fun with it because it never happened before and it's never happened since.
Stephen A. Smith
Right?
Terrell Suggs
Okay.
Stephen A. Smith
Right.
Terrell Suggs
Let's just be honest. It never happened before and it never happened since, but here we are blowing out the San Francisco 49ers. You know what I'm saying? We are. We are views. The game's put away at halftime. You know what I'm saying? 28, right? Come out from halftime. Jacoby takes it back. You know what I'm saying we like, oh, we running away with this one. Then we go three and out, right? That's when we go three and out. And then we finish score again. Then the lights cut off on us. Then the lights cut off us. But they made a fantastic run. But it was just a day late in the dollar short, you know what I mean? You know how they say grenades and horseshoes?
Stephen A. Smith
There we go.
Terrell Suggs
You can almost win with a grenade, you know what I mean? But wasn't nobody stopping that, that Raven, that Raven Wave, man, that was, that was our year.
Stephen A. Smith
Before I let you get on out of here, man, I'm gonna go through these names again. Bruce Smith, Reggie White, Kevin Green, Julius Peppers, Chris Dolman, Michael Strahan, Jason Taylor, you, DeMarcus Ware, and then Richard Denn and John Randall or Todd. NFL history, all time sacks leader. Ain't no discussion. As far as I'm concerned, you're going to be a first ballot hall of Famer. Do you believe? Do you believe or where would you rank yourself amongst your contemporaries as a football player? As a sack master? I know Bruce Smith had 200 sacks, Reggie White had 198, Kevin Green had 160. Where do you see yourself amongst those names? Are you right where you belong? Or do you think that the numbers ain't the only thing you can measure by and that you should be high on the list?
Terrell Suggs
No, I think it's fair. I think I'm right where I belong for the simple fact that I didn't realize I was as close as I was until the last two years. Because every year that you don't win it, you know, the big one is kind of like, like, yeah, you had some success, but you didn't win a championship, you know what I'm saying? So, like, my main focus, you know, like, especially when I got, you know, to the, to the NFL and before, you know, I eventually retired, was I want as many rings as possible, you know what I'm saying?
Stephen A. Smith
Right?
Terrell Suggs
And so, like, I wasn't, like, I didn't know where I was until it was mentioned to me like, yo, you just went to eight, you know what I mean? I'm like, for real, like, I didn't know. So I think it's fair. I think it's fair. And, and I'll accept it. I'll accept it. And like you said, like, I, I, I don't just have sacks, right? You know, I mean, I got picks, I got touchdowns, force fumbles, tackles for loss. I got everything. The resume is pretty loaded.
Stephen A. Smith
It's pretty loaded.
Terrell Suggs
You know what little baby say? You know, I'm not the goat, but you know, I definitely fit the description. Damn right. Damn right. My, my, my resume, you know, speaks for itself. So as long as I got you campaigning for me.
Stephen A. Smith
Damn right. You ain't got to worry about that. I'm damn sure gonna campaign. I shouldn't have to, to be honest.
Terrell Suggs
I need it. I appreciate it.
Stephen A. Smith
First ballot in Schweim and Eazy. Ain't nothing even discussed. I'm gonna go to hell off if that doesn't happen. Before I let you get on out, before I let you get on outta here, let me transition primetime. Deion Sanders, greatest cornerback in the history of football. Coaching at Colorado, doing a hell of a job. Love the fact that I see Tio at his games. I see Warren Sapp coaching his defensive line. Hell, that's something you should be doing as far as I'm concerned as well. I would ask you this, Deion Sanders as a college coach or coaching somebody like the Dallas Cowboys or the Las Vegas Raiders, where should he be?
Terrell Suggs
College. You gotta understand why. I think because of his influence and like he get to kind of influence, you know, I mean this is Dion, you get coached by like you just said, the greatest cornerback ever. He, you know, I mean he, the impact I think that he can make in young players lives, you know, not just on the football field but all, you know, at the professional level. It's a business. And I think the pressure on him to win could evidently like ruin what he's doing, especially what he's done at the coaching level. Like good college coaches don't always make good NFL coaches. If you look at Nick Saban like he was a great college coach, but he wasn't that good in the NFL.
Stephen A. Smith
Okay.
Terrell Suggs
I'm pretty sure there's some others but like I said, like, you know, I just said it. You know, NFL football fans aren't patient. So they want you to win and they want you to win now. You know, I mean, I think the pressure, I mean, not that I don't think Dion could be successful and handle it, but I think if he has one or two down years, they're going to be ready to get rid of him and he probably wouldn't get another chance at it again. So. I love what Prime's doing. I just think like once he's achieved everything at the college level, then he can, you know, I mean, it's his decision, you know. But I, I, I, I, my opinion is, I think like do all of that like at the college level, you know what I'm saying? He got, you know, his son, he coaching both his sons, you know, I mean Travis Hunter, they finna be first round top 10 picks, you know what I'm saying?
Stephen A. Smith
I got prime as my coach of the year. I got Travis Hunter as my Heisman Trophy winner. I got Shaquille Sanders, probably the first quarterback taking any upcoming NFL draft. Let me transition to my very last question real quick. Cause I gotta get ready to get outta here. Ray Lewis has meant the world to you, former teammate, champion with you, two time champion with you as well as mentor big brother. Well a mentor big brother. You're hearing his name, it's early. Adam Schefter for ESPN reports that it's early, but he's being considered for a head coaching job down in Florida. I think it was at Florida Atlantic. I believe it is Florida Atlantic University. Fau. What? Ray Lewis as the coach? I mean that brother don't play. I mean, I mean he's qualified in terms of his football mind, but I'm wondering about his temperament with the kids.
Terrell Suggs
It's going to be a tense and you can't have soft skin. If Ray's going to be your head coach or you're going to let him coach your children, you're going to have to trust him, you know what I'm saying? Man knows football. I mean, and he, he's gonna demand greatness, you know, demand greatness out of all of us. You know me after we one hour, our season ended, you know, after a playoff game one time, he called me like the next week, asked me if I'm working out. I said no, Ray, I'm not working out. I'm actually on the couch, you know what I mean? Like Ray Lewis is Ray Lewis and he's gonna demand greatness 24 hours a day. So if they're going to be good on defense, they're going to play ferocious defense. I don't know how many points they gonna score. You have to bring in an offensive mind. But I think it'll work. Especially you know, he's from Florida, he coaching in Florida. I think it will work. I mean we had to get him time, kind of like we gave prime time with the Jackson State. But it ain't going to be too much time. I feel you.
Stephen A. Smith
The one and only T sizzle himself, Terrell Suggs, eligible for enshriment this year, ladies and gentlemen, soon to be first ballot hall of Famer. It better happen. It better happen. It's good to see you, bro. Man, I'm here anytime you need me. My man. It's so good to see you, bro. It's so good to talk to you.
Terrell Suggs
Thank you, brother.
Stephen A. Smith
All right, the one and only Terrell Suggs right here on the Stephen A. Smith Show. Love him. Damn right. He should be a first ballot hall of Famer. The numbers are there. Everything is there. There is no excuse. And by the way, he was beloved by folks inside and outside the football community as well. So there's no excuse to hold anything back when it comes to him.
Greg Rosenthal
What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday. Keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
Terrell Suggs
What's up everyone? Julie Swearbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson. We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go. The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb. Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right? Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us. Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe. Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Summary of "The Stephen A. Smith Show" Episode Featuring Terrell Suggs
Podcast Information:
Introduction
In this compelling episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith engages in an in-depth conversation with Terrell Suggs, a two-time Super Bowl champion and esteemed NFL Pro Bowler. Suggs, renowned for his formidable presence on the field, delves into his career achievements, the evolving landscape of the NFL, and his perspectives on current and former teammates. The discussion offers listeners an authentic glimpse into the mindset of one of football's most respected defenders.
1. Terrell Suggs on Hall of Fame Induction
The conversation opens with Stephen A. Smith addressing Suggs' impending induction into the Hall of Fame. Stephen passionately advocates for Suggs' immediate inclusion as a first-ballot Hall of Famer, emphasizing his impressive career statistics and undeniable impact on the game.
Despite Stephen's unwavering support, Suggs expresses his humility and anxiety regarding the induction process:
Suggs acknowledges the pressure of following in the footsteps of his peers who secured their Hall of Fame status on the first ballot, revealing the internal struggle athletes often face when contemplating their legacies.
2. The Evolution of the Baltimore Ravens' Defense
Stephen shifts the discussion to the current state of the Ravens' defense, expressing concern over its perceived decline compared to past performances. Suggs attributes the changes to significant roster shifts and coaching transitions:
He highlights the departure of key players and the challenges faced under new defensive coordinator Zach Orr, urging patience as the team adapts to new strategies.
3. Reflections on Team Changes and Player Departures
The dialogue deepens as Suggs critiques the management's decisions regarding player retention. He mentions specific players like Patrick Queen and C.J. Mosley, suggesting that their departures have adversely affected the team's defensive prowess:
Suggs emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong defensive lineup to sustain the Ravens' competitive edge.
4. Assessing Lamar Jackson's Performance
A significant portion of the interview focuses on Lamar Jackson, the Ravens' dynamic quarterback. Stephen presents a challenging statistic regarding Jackson's performance against top-tier opponents:
Suggs responds by attributing some of Jackson's struggles to external factors, such as the home-field advantage of teams like the Steelers:
He advocates for a more nuanced understanding of individual performances within the broader context of team dynamics and game locations.
5. The Locker Room and Team Camaraderie
Reflecting on his NFL career, Suggs shares his sentiments about the camaraderie within the locker room, highlighting what he misses most post-retirement:
This introspection underscores the profound bonds formed among teammates and the unique culture that permeates professional sports teams.
6. Coaching in the NFL: Deion Sanders and Ray Lewis
Stephen shifts the conversation to evaluate the potential coaching paths for prominent figures like Deion Sanders and Ray Lewis. Suggs expresses his support for Sanders remaining in college coaching to leverage his influence on young athletes:
Regarding Ray Lewis, Suggs envisions him as a disciplined and demanding coach, capable of fostering excellence:
He emphasizes the importance of trust and high expectations in coaching roles, drawing from his experience with Lewis as a teammate and mentor.
7. Final Thoughts on Legacy and Achievements
As the interview concludes, Stephen reiterates Suggs' illustrious career stats and leadership, reaffirming his support for the Hall of Fame induction:
Suggs humbly accepts the accolades, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of his career beyond mere statistics:
Conclusion
This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show presents a candid and insightful conversation between Stephen A. Smith and Terrell Suggs. Suggs not only reflects on his decorated career but also offers thoughtful analysis on the current state of the NFL, player performances, and the intricacies of team dynamics. His perspectives provide valuable understanding for fans and aspiring athletes alike, encapsulating the essence of leadership, legacy, and the ever-evolving nature of professional football.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
Terrell Suggs on Hall of Fame Anxiety: “...I feel like I got the resume to be first ballot, but you never know what the voters are thinking.” [01:54]
Stephen A. Smith on Suggs’ Hall of Fame Status: “Every one of them, okay? Every one of them. So ain’t no way in hell you ain’t going into the hall of fame.” [03:00]
Suggs on Locker Room Camaraderie: “I don't miss hitting people. I miss the locker room... the camaraderie we had, the relationships we had.” [14:26]
Discussion on Lamar Jackson’s Performance: “He is 1 in 4 lifetime now versus the Steelers. He’s 1 in 5 straight up against Patrick Mahomes...” [12:16]
Suggs on Deion Sanders' Coaching: “College. You gotta understand why. I think because of his influence and the impact he can make in young players' lives...” [25:21]
This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting Terrell Suggs' reflections on his career, his insights into the current NFL landscape, and his thoughts on future coaching legends. The inclusion of notable quotes with timestamps enhances the richness of the summary, providing key moments from the conversation for readers who seek a detailed understanding without listening to the full episode.