The new edition of the Detroit Lions has been nothing short of remarkable. An NFL doormat for more then a decade this year's team looks primed to make the playoffs with the likes of Calvin "Megatron" Johnson at the wideout spot, Matthew Stafford, who if he can stay healthy could really become an elite quarterback, and anchoring the defense their top pick from the 2010 draft Ndamukong Suh. But with the new turnaround comes concerns and criticsms of how the team handles themselves on the field week in and week out.
In their Thanksgiving match up against the Green Bay Packers the Lions lost 27-15 which saw the Packers improve to 11-0. The game was marred by Suh banging Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith's head into the turf and after rising to his feet seeming to stomp on him as well. That led to the defensive tackle's ejection from the game for unnecessary roughness in the 3rd quarter. This could likely lead to a fine and or suspension for the 2010 Defensive Player of the Year.
During a postgame press conference Suh said "I apologize to my teammates and my fans and my coaches for putting myself in a position to be misinterpreted and taken out of the game." He also insisted that he is not a dirty player.
This is not the first time Suh has been embroiled in a controversial play. He has been fined over $40,000 and visited with Commissioner Roger Goodell to get clarification on what is considered a legal play.
This is a stark contrast from the charitable work the All-Pro has done and the money he has given back to his alma mater Nebraska University and the intelligence he portrays during his interviews.
Head coach of the Lions Jim Schwartz is not immune to controversy as he to got into a yelling and shoving match with coach of the San Fransisco 49ers Jim Harbaugh earlier this season. He was also on hand for another stomping as then a coach on the Tennessee Titans staff he saw first hand Albert Haynesworth stomp on the head of Andre Gurode of the Dallas Cowboys which would later require thirty stitches.
This continues a slew of questionable plays by Suh ranging from his shoving down of quarterback Jay Cutler of the Chicago Bears and the twisting of the helmets of free agent Jake Delhomme and current rookie signal caller Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals.
No one seems to be defending his actions at all. On The NFL Today analysts Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher ripped him and believe a suspension is warranted.
The Sporting News released a poll in which NFL players ranked Ndamukong Suh as the dirtiest player in the league.
From The Sports Mind Of RB:
The old saying goes "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me." Or even a better one, "Three strikes and you're out." If Suh does not face a significant suspension he won't relax with the dirty play. Does he play a position that requires a player to be nasty and feisty? Yes he does but the line has to be drawn somewhere and I don't know if he can even see it anymore.
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