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Ndamukong Suh wants to learn from Warren Sapp

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh wants to learn from one of his loudest critics.

USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has developed a reputation as a dirty player in his young career -- but there's still little doubting Suh's talent and potential. One of Suh's critics is the NFL Network's Warren Sapp, who questioned Suh's on-field awareness as recently as November.

Still, Suh is willing to learn from Sapp -- and wants Sapp to mentor him, show Suh what exactly he's doing wrong, and more importantly, how to progress rather than regress as a defensive lineman.

"You have a guy that, in essence, criticizes me and says I'm doing things so horribly wrong and not playing up to my potential," Suh said.

"I assume, paraphrasing; I don't know exactly what's going on in his head. To me, you can just be a fan and just criticize me or you can be a great person, and somebody who can be a legend, and somebody who could be possibly in the NFL Hall of Fame, and teach me something."

2012 marks Suh's third NFL season, and it's unlikely he'll match his career-high sack total of 10 -- a total Suh reached during his rookie season. Suh only played in 14 games in 2011, but only recorded 36 tackles while registering four sacks. Through 15 games this season, Suh has 34 tackles and seven sacks.

Suh hasn't forced or recovered a fumble since his rookie season, either.

Still, per Anwar S. Richardson, Suh has 26 quarterback knockdowns and 3.5 quarterback hurries, which ranks second among defensive tackles.