The NFL debate that dominated the airwaves a few weeks ago is over . . . Ndamukong Suh is a dirty player.
After being voted the Defensive Rookie of the Year last season, Suh came into camp this season with a chip on his shoulder, an attribute most teams, coaches and players love to see in their locker room. Unfortunately, that chip may be affecting his behavior and causing him to cross the line.
Suh has been chasing Steelers LB James Harrison regarding fines and at the pace Suh is going, he’s not only going to pass him, he can now look forward to missing some games after the classless act that led to an ejection during yesterday’s nationally-televised Thanksgiving Day game against the Packers.
While the nation huddles around their plasma screens, surrounded by the aroma of turkey, the Lions were on their way to their ninth loss in a row on Thanksgiving Day. In the second half, Suh’s frustration got the best of him and after a play the defensive tackle pushed the head of Packers guard Evan Dietrich-Smith into the ground three times. After getting on his feet, he stomped on Dietrich-Smith’s arm with his spikes, and that’s where the line was not only crossed, but jump over.
Out came the flag for a 15-yard penalty and justifiable ejection. After seeing the video replay of the incident and listening to Suh’s explanation following the game, the combination is sure to draw more criticism from players and media around the league
Maybe Suh’s frustration is being caused by his stats sheets dwindling from last season. After 11 games Suh has 30 tackles and three sacks while last year in 16 games he finished with 66 tackles, 10 sacks, one interception and a fumble recovery that he returned to the house while shooing away a pesky Redskin on his way the end zone; a play that made several highlight reels.
Highlights like that seem like a distant memory with Suh changing his image of being a dominating force in the trenches to being dirty. Recent highlight reels have included pulling the helmet off an opposing quarterback after a play, and body-slamming another adding additional 15 yard flags and fines.
People love smash-mouth football but Suh’s action against the Packers was far from that.
Last time I saw an intentional spike was when Titans’ controversial problem child Albert Haynesworth stepped on the face of Cowboys’ center Andre Gurode; an act that led to an unprecedented five-game suspension by Roger Goodell who had been in his commissioner position for only about a month. Goodell went on to say, there is “absolutely no place in the game, or anywhere else” for actions like Haynesworth’s. That said, how will the Commish respond to Suh.
Although Haynesworth’s spiking caused 30 stitches to the face of Gurode and Suh targeted an arm with Smith staying in the game, whenever you take a play out of Albert Haynesworth’s book of nasty, it’s sure to lead to time on the sidelines. If Suh receives any less than a one-game suspension without pay, players and fans may lose faith in Goodell.
Earlier this season, Suh spent his bye week in New York meeting with NFL officials and Goodell wanting an explanation of the rules to better understand what side of the line certain hits were on. Many including myself gave the young player the benefit of the doubt. He’s a charitable guy who strives on helping the less fortunate. In fact, recently he heard about a school on budget cuts in desperate need so he wrote a check to provide football equipment for the players.
While Rex Ryan has a lock on staying in the controversial headlines on the AFC side of the fence, the Lions have taken that position in the NFC. Whether it’s Jim Schwartz chasing down Jim Harbaugh after an offensive handshake or Suh raising eyebrows with his antics on the field, it really needs to stop. The Lions are becoming a national favorite after sitting in the cellar of the league for several years but their style really needs to change; there’s a fine line between smash-mouth and dirty and fans and the media are beginning to think they are crossing it.
Originally from Detroit, Tom is an Atlanta-based sportswriter whose work has been published in the New York Daily News, Washington Times, Detroit Free Press and national hockey mags including The Hockey News (Canada) and USA Hockey Magazine. Follow Tom on Twitter @TomFerda
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