ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- On the same day they officially lost three-time All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, the Detroit Lions tried to move on by introducing his replacement, a five-time All-Pro, Haloti Ngata.
Ngata, 31, is 6-foot-4, 340 pounds compared to Suh at 6-4, 305 pounds. Ngata is a massive run-stopper while Suh, 28, is a phenomenal athlete who creates havoc both against the run and in pressuring the quarterback.
"I don't see myself as Ndamukong Suh," Ngata said. "I don't think of it as that. We're totally different types of players. I'm just coming here to be me and not be Ndamukong Suh.
"He's made Pro Bowls. I've made Pro Bowls. I play my game and hopefully it helps the team win."
Losing Suh, who signed his $114-million contract Wednesday with the Miami Dolphins, was a jolt for the Lions' organization coming off an 11-win season.
It took giving up fourth- and fifth-round draft picks this year to do it, but the Lions might have landed the best option available to try to win in 2015.
"When you lose a guy as talented as Ndamukong Suh, to have the ability to replace him with a guy like Haloti Ngati really alleviates a lot of the concern about the defensive-tackle position," general manager Martin Mayhew said.
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said of adding Ngata: "It keeps us competitive."
Mayhew, along with coach Jim Caldwell and Austin, stepped to the microphone to welcome Ngata to the team.
None, however, answered any questions.
To this point, neither Mayhew nor president Tom Lewand has addressed the issue of Suh's departure after both had expressed such confidence in being able to re-sign him and admittedly making that the No. 1 priority this offseason.
Mayhew exited the news conference as soon as Ngata finished talking. Lewand didn't attend.
The explanation, according to Lions senior vice president of communications Bill Keenist, for the Lions' top executives not discussing the Suh situation: "This is Haloti's day."
The Lions indicated that Mayhew and/or Lewand would be available to answer questions at a later date to be determined.
For Ngata, the trade to Detroit takes him away from the only team he's played in his NFL career. He was a first-round draft pick by the Ravens in 2006 and missed only nine games over the last nine seasons.
"This is an exciting change," Ngata said. "I can't wait to get out there and show Detroit what I can do. I'm ready for this new journey."
Ngata found out about the trade 20-30 minutes before it went down Tuesday afternoon after receiving a phone call from Ravens coach John Harbaugh.
Ngata said he was picking up his oldest son, 5-year-old Sam, from school at the time.
Sam's reaction to his father being traded to Detroit?
"Dad, they're blue, right?" Sam said.
That's right, Honolulu Blue and Silver.
"Yes!" Sam responded.
"He was excited," Ngata said.
Ngata feels "comfortable" coming here because he worked with Austin for three years in Baltimore. Austin was the Ravens' secondary coach before following Caldwell, the Ravens' offensive coordinator, to Detroit last year.
Ngata will be entering the final year of a contract, but he indicated he'll likely be interested in an extension.
"We're open to anything," he said. "That would be awesome."
Asked when those negotiations might begin, Ngata said he'll leave that up to his agent.
"I just want to play," he said.
Ngata isn't the pass-rushing threat that Suh is, but he's been one of the best run-stoppers in recent years in the NFL.
Whether he will still play at that level at this point in his career is going to be crucial to the Lions' defense, which emerged last season as one of the best in the league, thanks in large part to Suh's presence in the middle.
"I picture myself as a sacrifice player," Ngata said. "I'm trying to hold up guys for other players to make plays.
Austin said he is "super pleased" with the acquisition.
"I know the benefits that he'll bring to our team as a player and in our locker room," Austin said.
Known for his work ethic, Ngata could have a lot of incentive coming to Detroit, especially if he wants to get one more contract before retiring.
What's more, he had to sit out the final four regular-season games last season for violating the league's performance-enhancing substance policy.
Ngata said he had taken the stimulant Adderall, which is a common explanation used by players who test positive.
"It made me, I guess, witness football without playing," Ngata said. "It definitely made me miss it a lot. I just want to make a comeback."
