Post-Play Distractions Continue For Lions’ Ndamukong Suh
Question: Who are Ronald Leary, Travis Frederick, and Zack Martin?
Answer: They comprise the core of the formidable offensive line for the Dallas Cowboys, who are facing off against the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card round this weekend. They might just have caught a break with the suspension of Lions DT Ndamukong Suh, one of the most disruptive interior defensive linemen in the NFL – a situation entirely brought upon by Suh himself…
Just as it seemed like the Detroit Lions were leaving behind their earlier struggles, maturing and demonstrating composure, the last two weeks have told a different story.
Dominic Raiola and Ndamukong Suh, key contributors on the offensive and defensive lines, were both ejected and subsequently suspended due to their immature conduct.
Their lack of discipline and poise in the intensity of competition ultimately stands to harm their team’s prospects in the playoffs moving forward.
Just as it seemed like the Detroit Lions were leaving behind their earlier struggles, maturing and demonstrating composure, the last two weeks have told a different story.
Dominic Raiola and Ndamukong Suh, key contributors on the offensive and defensive lines, were both ejected and subsequently suspended due to their immature conduct.
Their lack of discipline and poise in the intensity of competition ultimately stands to harm their team’s prospects in the playoffs moving forward.
In recent years, the Lions have successfully acquired some of the NFL’s top talent.
This was mainly due to their high draft positions, with selections in the top 10 in five of the last seven years. With these picks, they secured talents like defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Calvin Johnson, and, of course, Ndamukong Suh.
All of them have excelled, notably Johnson, who is arguably the premier wide receiver in the league.
Stafford has consistently thrown for over 4,000 yards each season, achieving the remarkable feat of over 5,000 yards in an NFL season in 2011, a feat accomplished by only five quarterbacks.
Suh has demonstrated glimpses of being among the best. Despite facing double- and triple-teams weekly, he maintains an average of over seven sacks per season from his true defensive tackle position.
His prowess in pass rushing is a notable strength. Additionally, he can disrupt plays in the middle.
However, it’s not his performance between the whistles that raises concern. It’s his actions after the play that sometimes cast Suh in a negative light, making it seem like he may be more of a liability than an asset.
This was exemplified when the NFL suspended Suh for the Lions’ wild-card playoff game on Sunday, a day after he stepped on the leg of Aaron Rodgers in the Lions’ 30-20 loss to the Packers.
Regrettably, Suh doesn’t have the luxury of looking across the locker room at a seasoned player like Dominic Raiola.
This is because the Lions’ starting center has also been involved in similar immature incidents.
Raiola faced a suspension for the Green Bay game after intentionally stepping on the ankle of Chicago Bears tackle Ego Ferguson.
Aside from the fact that such behavior has no place in competitive sports, it’s disheartening to observe that the Lions’ actions have hindered their potential Super Bowl runs in recent seasons.
Consider how formidable Detroit could be if its players simply matured.
For instance, in the Lions’ last playoff season in 2011, they squared off against the Packers on Thanksgiving Day, a game now famously remembered as the “stomp game.”
Detroit had the reigning Super Bowl champions on the ropes but consistently bailed Green Bay out with ill-advised, self-inflicted mistakes.
The most notorious incident of that day was when Suh was ejected for stomping on the Packers’ Evan Dietrich-Smith.
This happened just as the Lions had successfully stopped the Packers on a crucial third down, which could have kept the game within their control.
Unfortunately, due to Suh’s lack of composure, he was ejected, resulting in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for the Lions.
This allowed the Packers to score a touchdown and ultimately secure the victory.
One would expect Suh to glean valuable lessons from these incidents.
However, even one of the Lions’ most seasoned veterans demonstrated an inability to rein in his emotions at a critical juncture in the game.
This time, these self-inflicted setbacks might not only cost Detroit a win but also a shot at making a run for the Super Bowl.
In this upcoming week, the Lions’ run defense will face a significant test against the formidable rushing attack of the Dallas Cowboys.
Unfortunately, their top and most pivotal run-stopping defender will be relegated to the sidelines.
Suh’s absence will be keenly felt, as he may be the one player Detroit can’t afford to be without, especially given his specific role on the defense and the robust interior running capabilities of their Cowboys opponents.
Coming up short-handed, particularly when facing one of the premier offensive lines in football on the road, won’t work in their favor.
There is still a glimmer of hope for Lions fans that Suh will successfully appeal the suspension.
Ted Cottrell will conduct a thorough review of the incident, and upon closer examination of the NFL’s official statement on Suh’s suspension, it seems Cottrell will focus solely on the events of Sunday.
Given that several senior officiating figures have publicly stated that they do not believe the video proves the step was intentional, there’s a legitimate chance that the suspension could be overturned, especially considering Cottrell’s history of overturning suspensions in the past.
Whether he manages to escape consequences this time or not, Suh has undeniably jeopardized his team’s season, placing undue strain on an organization that should be focused on other matters.
The Lions require him to be a force against opposing offenses, not facing suspensions.
Perhaps this incident will serve as a wake-up call for Suh to channel his aggression and passion within the confines of play rather than becoming a liability due to his actions after the whistle.
When that realization dawns, we may finally witness the true potential of the Detroit Lions once they stop hindering themselves.
Unfortunately, with Suh poised to enter free agency and the Lions potentially facing an early playoff exit, that opportunity with the Lions may never come to fruition…
