Lions introduce Suh, Best

by Mike Niziolek

The Lions top two draft picks were in Allen Park on Friday for an introductory press conference. Both Ndamukong Suh and Jahvid Best were on hand to answer questions and show off their new Lions' jerseys.

Coach Schwartz was pressed for time, round two of the draft was set to start shortly, but he took time to introduce both players.

"Every step along the way, he solidified our thought that he was the best player in college football," Schwartz says of Suh. "We were very fortunate to have a situation where the Rams needed a quarterback at No. 1 and we were able to get him."

The coaching staff was similarly impressed with Best...

"It made big news when he had his concussion and sort of dropped out of the Heisman running and then (he) declared for the NFL Draft," Schwartz explains. "But the thing there again, sort of like Ndamukong, the thing that really stood out is those highlights that you saw on TV translate to coaching tape and you watch the coaching tape and you see the matchups and you see the explosiveness and you see the huge gains that he makes and the way that he effects the game of football."

The biggest item out of the press conference from either player came from Suh. He's insisted his agents get a deal done before training camp and that he doesn't want to be a holdout...

"One of the reasons why I chose Roosevelt (Barnes) and Eugene Parker is because they had an understanding that I wanted to come into camp on-time," he says. "I'm not a guy that likes to be a part of drama. I don't even like being in the limelight, so I definitely don't want to holdout. We have the understanding that I want to be on-time, in camp and ready to go."

Best was quizzed repeatedly about his health and the concussion he suffered at the tail end of the season last year, but he maintained that there were absolutely no lingering effects from the injury and that neither the Lions organization or fans should be worried.

"I'm 100 percent healthy," Best smiles. "I've been cleared for everything and nothing's nagging, nothing's straggling, so I'm ready to roll."

For much, much more on the Lions draft check out the May Issue of In-Play! magazine hitting the web next week!

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