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Bucs’ Ndamukong Suh settling in with new town, teammates, playbook

Veteran defensive tackle says that while new coach Bruce Arians will set the tone, it will be the players who must take accountability.
 
Bucs nose tackle Ndamukong Suh laughs while talking with defensive tackle Beau Allen between drills while on the field during mandatory mini-camp on Wednesday at the AdventHealth Training Center. DIRK SHADD   |   Times
Bucs nose tackle Ndamukong Suh laughs while talking with defensive tackle Beau Allen between drills while on the field during mandatory mini-camp on Wednesday at the AdventHealth Training Center. DIRK SHADD | Times
Published June 6, 2019|Updated June 6, 2019

TAMPA — Ndamukong Suh is just three practices into his Bucs career after finishing this week’s mandatory minicamp Thursday, but the defensive tackle said that both his new defense and Tampa is growing on him quickly.

He said that Tampa has a friendly Midwestern vibe to it, noting that he’s received many warm welcomes from locals when he and his new fiance have been out to dinner. On the field, he’s still getting adjusted to new teammates and a new playbook, but said he’s excited about this defense’s potential.

"I love the linebackers, their communication," Suh said. "I think the ability to get after the quarterback is huge, not only with multiple guys but with their front. I'm excited about that. I'm looking forward to be in a position to just go out there and play and wreak havoc."

Asked about the culture shift that new coach Bruce Arians can bring to a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in 11 seasons, Suh said it’s also about the players forgetting about the past and buying into playing winning football.

"I think the important thing is to forget about the past," Suh said. "There's a new regime and a new understanding that none of the past stuff matters. It's all about the future and the present. And with that, Coach (Arians) is big on ownership.

“Yes, he’s the head coach, yes, he has to set the tone, but that doesn’t mean anything if we don’t buy in and in addition to making it our own,” Suh added. “So you’ve got to have your own accountability, take care of your own business, and then obviously police each other and be accountable and take ownership overall.”

Contact Eduardo A. Encina at eencina@tampabay.com. Follow @EddieInTheYard.