Despite the two players getting to know one another over the summer by spending some time together at a youth football camp, Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said that he could never be friends with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers just ahead of the two division rivals' Week 5 clash Sunday at Lambeau Field, despite his admiration of Rodgers' character.
"I don't think I'll ever be able to have a friend as a quarterback, especially one I see twice a year," Suh told the Detroit Free Press. "But without question, off the field, he's good people, and I definitely enjoyed being around him."
When Rodgers was asked about the two possibly bonding over the summer, the quarterback noted that the two hadn't talked since the time spent together at the summer camp.
"Well, I haven't gotten any calls from him yet," Rodgers said, according to the Detroit Free Press. "Not sure if there's going to be some sort of exchange of numbers at some point."
Despite getting into some hot water with the league this season, Suh has had a dominant year for the Lions (3-1), posting two sacks and 11 tackles through the first four games. Despite the two bonding over the summer, Suh would like to expand those numbers at Rodgers' expense Sunday. When Rodgers was told about Suh's comments of never befriending a quarterback, the signal caller joked.
"I think he needs to expand his mind a little bit, kind of branch out," Rodgers said per the Detroit Free Press. "Does that mean that he's not buddies with Matt (Stafford)? Or Shaun (Hill)? Or Kellen (Moore)? I'm being sarcastic."
While Rodgers was able to joke off the field, there will be no joking for the third place-Packers (1-2) Sunday after a frustrating Week 3 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals led to some jawing on the sideline between Rodgers and Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. Green Bay enjoyed a much-needed bye week in Week 4 to allow things to settle down, but the team is looking to get back to work in a big way on Sunday.
This season, Rodgers is 81-for-122 (66.4%) for 1,057 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions. Suh knows just how dominant Rodgers can be and how daunting of a task his team may be facing when he and the rest of the defensive line try to stop a well-rested Rodgers at home.
"He's definitely up there, without question," Suh said to the Detroit Free Press when asked if Rodgers was an elite quarterback. "I haven't had the time or took the time to rate my quarterbacks. I just look forward to taking them down."
While summer was the time for fun and games between the two players, there will be no inkling of friendship when they stand on opposite sides of the line of scrimmage in Green Bay on Sunday.
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