Was Ndamukong Suh's Chop Block on Vikings Center John Sullivan Dirty?

Ndamukong Suh is up to his old tricks once again.

Early in the Lions game against Minnesota, Suh was flagged for a personal foul on an illegal block as linebacker DeAndre Levy returned an interception for an apparent touchdown. 

UPDATE: Tuesday Sept. 10 at 3:50 p.m. ET by Paul Mueller: Suh has been fined $100,000 for his low hit on Levy.

---End of update---

Here is the block in question:

So is that a dirty play?

If it was the first time we've seen something like this from a player, it could be argued that it was more of an overzealous reaction. The excitement of the turnover could feasibly produce a momentary lapse of reason as the defensive player tries to help his teammate get into the end zone.

This, however, is Ndamukong Suh. If anyone should know better, it's Suh. His litany of mental mistakes and questionable on-field behavior means there is no benefit of the doubt here. 

Date	Opponent	Infraction	Penalty
11/22/12	Houston Texans	Personal Foul: Kicked Matt Schaub in the groin	$30,000 fine
11/24/11	Green Bay Packers	Personal Foul: Stomped on Evan Deitrich-Smith's arm after a play	Two-game suspension
12/5/10	Chicago Bears	Personal Foul: Forearm shiver to Jay Cutler's helmet	Fined $15,000
11/14/10	Buffalo Bills	Unsportsmanlike Conduct	Fined $5,000
2010 Preseason	Cleveland Browns	Personal Foul: Grabbed and twisted Jake Delhomme's facemask	Fined $7,500

It's a dirty play. 

Lunging at any player's knee is always a poor decision. Without seeing Suh's face, it is hard to ascertain his intended target. But again, Suh has lost the benefit of the doubt. His helmet goes straight into John Sullivan's knee.

What makes it worse is that the block had no bearing on the play at the time Suh committed the foul, as the action had already advanced downfield. His block did nothing to help his team, and he had to know that. Suh seized an opportunity to land a cheap shot on an unsuspecting opponent. 

It's precisely these sorts of plays that continually mar Suh's career. Obviously, Suh cannot learn to ignore the little devil sitting on his shoulder. That devil cost the Lions a touchdown.

It isn't the first time this has happened with Suh. And given his track record, it may not be the last, either.