Ndamukong Suh ejected and Lions fall to unbeaten Packers
Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz may be without Ndamukong Suh for a few games.
Associated Press
Tough day at the office, eh?
First, the loss to the 11-0 Packers. Turnovers and penalties made it easy for the unbeaten Packers to win, 27-15, at Ford Field.
Second, Suh. He was ejected in the third quarter after tangling with Green Bay lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith. He stomped on Dietrich-Smith's arm in the exchange. Afterward, Suh said it was an accident.
"I was on top of a guy being pulled down and trying to get up off the ground," Suh said. "Why you see me pushing his helmet down, because I'm trying to remove myself from the situation and as I'm getting up, I'm getting pushed, so I'm getting myself on balance and getting out of the situation.
"With that, a lot of people are going to interpret it as, or create their own storylines for seeing what they want to interpret it, but I know what I did and the man upstairs knows what I did."
(Click here for a video of the play)
That's not how most people interpreted the play. Former Eastern Michigan University lineman T.J. Lang, now with the Packers, as quoted in on JSOnline.com:
"That's (expletive)," Lang said. "He clearly had Evan by the face mask pinned to the ground. His explanation is crap. There's no room for that. It's a dumb penalty. He hurt his own team today."
Jason Cole, writing for Yahoo Sports, says the Lions (7-4) are a team out of control. He predicts a two- or three-game suspension for Suh. From Cole:
This play was dumb not just because it’s the latest incident from Suh, a guy who is about to significantly add to the $42,500 he has been docked by the NFL in less than two full seasons. Not just because he further affirmed his reputation as the NFL’s dirtiest player (as named recently among his peers by The Sporting News). Rather, it was those two plus the fact that Suh cost his team a chance to win.
DETROIT RED WINGS
MLive.com: Red Wings take on Boston today.
Comments
johnnya2
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 8:55 p.m.
What Suh did was stupid, but for those saying this is the "collapse of the Lions", REALLY? This was not losing to Carolina. Ten other teams have all tried and failed to beat the Packers. They have won 16 games in a row dating back to last season. Did you really think the Lions were better than the Packers? You must live in an alternate universe to think that. The Lions are actually a little better than I expected this season. Going in I thought a .500 record would be progress. I think they will end up 8-8 or 9-7. That being said Suh needs to get a reality check. The video does not lie (unlike Suh does). This is a pattern of his. The problem I have with him, is this was not acceptable EVER in football. The leading with the helmet and "launching" are fairly new penalties. Kicking or stomping on an opponent was illegal in every era of football. The commissioner needs to suspend him for at least three games and give him the warning that ANY future incident will be 8 games, and any after that will be an entire season.
Macabre Sunset
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 4:31 p.m.
It's a shame to see such a talent wasted on such an immature mind. For the first time, he's reminding me of Albert Haynesworth - another incredible talent who has wasted half his career.
rekot
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 3:06 p.m.
After watching Suh stomp on the Green Bay player I didn't think it could get any worse until I listened to him spew stupidity after the game. What a classless act. At least I have time to return the Suh jersey I bought my Son for Christmas. I hope the fine is hefty and the suspension long.
Stephen Landes
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.
I listened to some of the post game sports talk discussions. The predominant theme I heard was "mental mistakes" whether penalties or errors in play. It seems to me that the question is "are the Lions players smart enough to play in the NFL"? At some point one would expect talented intelligent players to learn the system they are playing in, learn the rules, learn how to play without making "mistakes". Unfortunately, many Lions players do not seem to be up to the task.
David Briegel
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 2:36 p.m.
He could have been a part of something big and special. Can't win when it matters even with an excited home crowd! He should get 5 games and a huge fine. Disgrace to Lions and their fans! He has proven that he is nothing but a BOY named Suh!
Jaxon5
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 2:30 p.m.
Bottom Line = Suh not so tough. Immature, self-centered and self-absorbed, yes. I can't believe his comments afterward and the refusal to accept blame. Suh's actions were a total embarrassment, even to the worst team in the history of professional football.
towny
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 2:29 p.m.
Classless says it all. Talking about Man upstairs proved it. Disgrace to Lions and Michigan on National spotlight. Hope he gets suspended for rest of season. There is no room for this in football. No excuses.
a2citizen
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 2:29 p.m.
In the other controversy surrounding the game, Canadian band Nickelback played flawlessy during their halftime show. The same cannot be said for the American singer chosen to sing The National Anthem. Next Thanksgiving maybe we should have foreigners perform both The National Anthem and halftime shows.
Sparty
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 2:23 p.m.
Suh got caught on national tv on Thanksgiving Day, even his teammates didn't stand up for him, and he still had the gall to make excuses and to say the man upstairs knew what was in his heart. Bull. He got busted as a thug and I hope the team and Coach don't support this type of behavior any further. What an embarrassment to Detroit.
10dz
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 1:53 p.m.
Can't win with thugs. If you want to be tough, be tough between the whistles not after the whistles. Tackle somebody!!!! Green Bay exposed the Lydowns for the frauds they are. Can't win when it really matters.