On the process of signing with the Bucs and what he saw from the team
“I think it’s understandable what my family wanted to do. What I wanted to do in continuing to play football was the first piece, and figuring that piece out. Then analyzing the teams that were after me and I wanted to sit down with my agent as well as figuring out the right place for me to be able to play at a high level.”

On the appeal of coming to Tampa Bay and playing in Todd Bowles’ defense
“I think the biggest thing was, you said it right there, Todd Bowles. I’ve had conversations with him over the last couple of years, especially last year when he was with the Jets last year. I looked at going there but made the decision that I did. I wanted to team up with him and see how he and Kacy Rodgers could help me continue to grow. I think that as professionals we always want to find ways to continue to grow and meet great people and I met Todd three or four years ago through someone I highly respect in this game, Jim Washburn.”

On what struck him about Todd Bowles as a coach
“His personality, the way he looks at things, the way he wants to attack. I think Coach Arians also mentioned in a press conference the other day about being able to attack, be very aggressive and play up the field. Obviously people have their responsibilities and what not but I’ve always enjoyed being in an attacking style of defense.”

On the chance to come to Tampa Bay and be that three-technique DT in Bowles’ 3-4 defense, where Aaron Donald played in the Rams’ defense last year
“To me, as long as I’m on the football field, I’m happy. And from that standpoint, if you want to look back at last year, I played every single position and I really pride myself in being able to play three-technique, nose, end, nine, seven, six, whatever you need me to be. And I think it’s important for me as a professional to grow and evolve in that space.”

On Bruce Arians wanting all defensive players to play with Suh’s attitude
“I think just an aggressive and very intended force of changing the line of scrimmage. That’s something I learned at a very early age when I was with Bo Pelini at Nebraska. I think he changed my game to allowing me to prove that I could play in this league and going from there, so I think as a collective group, when you have four guys, and really your front seven, attacking and moving that line of scrimmage back into the offense’s lap you’re doing your job and being a big force.”

On Vita Vea and if he’s been able to watch and film on him
“I’ve watched a little bit of film. I got a chance to get on XOS and check him out a little bit. He definitely can move. I’m excited to team up with him, but I’ve got to meet up with him and get to know him first but it’s an exciting opportunity. Being able to play with first-rounders or any talented defensive linemen it’s always an exciting piece.”

On his interactions with Lavonte David over the years
“We’ve known each other over the years. We obviously didn’t play with each other but the Nebraska connection is very tight and I’m looking forward to have him behind me. He’s very talented and he’s proved that over the years.”

On being so heavily fined and how he balances playing with attitude and between the rules
“I think the proof is in the pudding. I think that if you go back and look at the track record it speaks for itself.”

On showing up on lists of the NFL’s dirtiest player and how he plans to change people’s minds
“I think that when you look at people in general you’ve got to get to know them, you’ve got to have face time with them, you’ve got to have an opportunity to interact with them and so before you pass judgement on someone I always take the time to get to know them, meet them, have coffee with them, whatever that may be and then be able to go from there. I think when people have seen blips of me, as you mentioned, it’s been in a negative light rather than a positive light and that’s due to outlets of media, social media, whatever it may be. I can deal with that because I know who I am as a person, I know who my parents are and what kind of child they brought up. It’s irrelevant in my life. I think the people who know me the best always see me in a good light and see the troubles and tribulations that I’ve got through, just as anybody goes through in their life. Being on a list is good and bad, however you want to look at it, but I’ve been very lucky and blessed to play in this league at a high level and I want to continue to do that.”

On what he wants to bring to the Bucs to change the culture going forward
“I think the most important thing to bring to this team is that I’ve been able to play in some elite defenses. Breaking records, as I did in detroit, play at a very high level in Miami as well as L.A. I’ve gone to a Super Bowl, unfortunately we didn’t win but I’ve pretty much gone through the gambit and to be able to bring that experience and different views on things, but at the same time understanding that it all has to be collective and we all have to have the same vision. That’s winning.”

On if he’s looking forward to taking on more of a leadership role here
“I think that I’ve always been a leader in my own particular right, whether I was a rookie in Detroit or a ninth-year guy in L.A. I’ve always been a leader of action. I think actions speak louder than words and I’ve always prided myself on that. However that kind of evolves in itself. I think Coach Arians will be the person to lead that and we’ll follow behind him because he’s the head coach. Then that trickles down to Coach Bowles and then to guys like myself so I’m happy to lead in whatever way is best for me and for the team.”

On his plans in the community
“I’ve always been a big person in the community, whether that’s in Detroit, Miami, even L.A. for the short period of time I was there, but I’ve spent a lot of time in L.A. so I knew a lot of people there. I’ve always been a big person to be charitable and involved in certain things, I have backpack programs that I’ve done in the past and obviously just case-by-case situations that I can see, where I can help and be an advantage to other people. I’m very open to it but I have to get my bearings first and foremost before I can help.”

On what he learned from playing in the extreme, Florida heat in Miami
“It’s a great advantage, to be honest with you. If we can get ourselves, as a team, playing at a very high level in the heat, when we go across the country wherever we need to go, whether that’s London or on the west coast it’s always a huge advantage for us. I’ve always enjoyed playing in the heat, and I’ve played in Mississippi with my sister when she was in college there and in that heat and I look forward to training here in Tampa in that heat. I’ve seen great success with it and it’s always good on the body.”

On Gerald McCoy
“I’m definitely not taking Gerald’s spot. Gerald set a stone in this franchise for many, many years. He was very successful, played at a very high level. I’ve got a very good relationship with him, the last time we actually spoke was at the Super Bowl with him wishing me the best of luck. Our relationship is good as far as I know and the last time we spoke, I wish him all the best in his endeavors. I’m not here to replace him, I’m here to make my own path alongside this team and be a shining emblem of some sort to get to a winning, successful situation.”

On having less personal fouls the past couple of years
“I think the statistics speak for themselves. They’re pretty consistent if I may say, and when the time is needed in big games, that’s when I like to show up and I think I’ve shown that over the years.”

On if he knew the deal would be done when he went to France
“It was great. I had a previously planned the trip over to France, many things to do. See my best friend who plays basketball over there for his playoff days, then get over to Bordeaux. No one knew that I was going to propose so that was a good surprise. She was elated, which was most important. I’m glad she didn’t say no. Other than that it was just a great trip. I’m glad I got to go over there and enjoy that, and at the same time it was a big week to be able to become a Buc. It’s very exciting for the future of our household and our family.”

On if the deal added to that stress
“There was no stress. I’ve grown up in a very fortunate life. Both of my parents come form third-world countries so my stress is nothing compared to what they’ve gone through.”

On how long he can continue to play
“I’ll go back to a Jim Rome interview with Tony Gonzalez. I’ll never forget the words he said. Mentally and physically are the things that will allow me to continue to play this game at a high level, but mentally is where I’ll start to feel like I should retire. Physically I feel as though I can play as long as I want to and the team that I have, that works with me day in and day out, affords me that along with the work that I put in in the offseason. So it’s from a mental aspect and having aspirations outside of sports and that’s in the business world. I’ve had some amazing mentors and it’s when I really decide that I’m looking for an opportunity to move in a different direction and have my main focus in life be business and entrepreneurship.”

On the jersey number he plans on wearing
“Hopefully 93. It’s what I’ve been wearing in the last few years since I left Detroit and my days in 90, and I don’t plan on taking JPP’s spot so that’s my thinking.”

On how much of a difference coaching makes at this level
“A coaching staff is very important and being able to buy into what they’re saying and laying on the table for us as players. I think it’s an intricate piece but at the same time you have to have ownership in yourself. You can’t just look at the head coach and the staff to say it’s their team. It has to be a collective group and we have to be able to say it’s our team and we need to all have accountability in that.”

On if he’s still got that fire in his eyes
“If I’m on that football field and between those white lines there’s a lot of fire. I’ve been blessed to have tunnel vision and focus and drive to understand where I want to get and bring people alongside with me, as well as doing it on my own. The one thing about this game, it’s the most team-oriented game you’ll ever play. Having to watch tennis and some great tennis players this past weekend and seeing them on their own with their own nuances, you’ve got to have guys to play with so I’m excited with the team we have here and seeing where we can get to.”