Ndamukong Suh seems to be a polarizing player — fans love him or not so much. He hasn’t embraced the city of Detroit like many of the Lions have, but  he excels on the field.

Here are three reasons the Detroit Lions defensive tackle is so important to the defense.

1. He’s one of the most powerful defense tackles in the game and requires attention from all on the other side of the ball. He demands respect on the field. With Suh double- or triple-teamed it opens up options for the rest of the defense. 

2. Suh is an Ironman of sorts. He stays healthy enough to play. In four seasons he’s missed only two games and that was due to a suspension from the NFL for stomping on Green Bay’s Evan Dietrich-Smith. That’s why when he skipped the voluntary OTAs and offseason workouts, everyone knew he would report in top shape. And he did.

3. He is the core of the defensive line and the defense as a whole. Don’t look at his sack numbers, look at his effectiveness. This is one reason the Lions have said they want to sign him to an extension. The two sides have been talking since spring, but when Suh appeared on NFL Total Access this week they did not ask him about the progress in the negotiations. 

(Lions training camp opens July 28. Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)