Ndamukong Suh and the Top 25 Dirtiest Players in the NFL Today

In the NFL, there has to be a distinction made between aggressive and dirty play. Too many times players are labeled as "dirty" when in fact they are just extremely intimidating and aggressive.

Perfect examples of this include the likes of Patrick Willis and Kyle Vanden Bosch. People tend to confuse the fact that they play with nonstop motors with being dirty. Just because they might play through the whistle doesn't mean they are dirty.

That said, there are some players that get the label of being dirty because that is exactly what they are. Some even embrace it. Cortland Finnegan, anyone? 

I also want to take a second to call out defensive players that get lit up by former college quarterback turned NFL wide receiver Hines Ward. If you cannot handle the heat, get out of the kitchen. Ward's play, dirty or not, should act as a inspiration to all those who find themselves "intimidated" on the football field. That said, Ward is on the list.

Today, I am going to take a look at the 25 dirtiest players in the NFL right now. You are going to see some future Hall of Fame players as well as some lesser-known players on this list. You might not agree with the rankings, but keep in mind articles like this are subjective by nature.

25. John Henderson, Oakland Raiders

John Henderson of the Oakland Raiders should be on this list for one incident alone. It occurred when he was on the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2008, against the Cincinnati Bengals, Henderson decided it would be a great idea to attempt to remove Andrew Whitworth's eyes from his sockets.

The incident only drew a $10,000 fine but will be remembered for its awesome gruesomeness. 

Too bad the NFL removed this video from YouTube due to copyright infringement.

24. Shaun Rogers, New Orleans Saints

Some might not expect to see Rogers on this list, but it is more of a personal observation on my part. I have seen him play dirty on multiple occasions while with the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns.

A lot of these hits have come against the quarterbacks below their knees, one of the most dangerous plays in football. Despite not being fined a whole lot, he needs to be somewhere on this list.

23. Justin Tuck, New York Giants

Justin Tuck plays with an incredibly high motor. This is probably the reason why he has been called for multiple personal fouls throughout his career.

However, as a Notre Dame fan, I noticed this was a problem for him in college as well. In fact, I remember him being called for two late hits in a game against Purdue a few seasons back.

This video is pretty funny, but you cannot tell me he didn't pile-drive the poor quarterback.

22. Anthony Davis, San Francisco 49ers

Over a year into his NFL career, Anthony Davis continues to struggle with lateral movement against opposing pass-rushers. This has caused him to get called for multiple leg-whip penalties, the most recent against Philadelphia a couple weeks ago.

In fact, according to National Football Post, he had two tripping penalties that added up to a $25,000 fine against Philadelphia.

As Davis becomes more comfortable in the NFL, you will probably see these issues wane. Still, he needs to be on the list.

21. Olin Kreutz, New Orleans Saints

Kreutz has been playing with a mean streak for the better part of his long career. Sometimes this has caused him to get personal foul penalties for leg whips, hands to the face and late hits on defensive linemen.

When you acquire personal foul penalties with an over/under of at least a dozen, it doesn't matter how long you've played—there is an issue.

20. Manny Lawson, Cincinnati Bengals

Lawson received two fines while he was with San Francisco over the last two seasons and could have gotten another one on a hit he put on Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew last week.

I have seen him get frustrated with his inability to get to the quarterback. That frustration has led to Lawson taking it out on opposing quarterbacks when he is actually able to get to them.

Hey, Mr. Lawson: It isn't their fault you suck at pass rushing. Just FYI.

19. Albert Haynesworth, New England Patriots

It sure the heck looks like the Redskins actually turned Sanchez into a complete 180 on this play; just look closely at it and tell me what you think.

Big Albert's dirty play dates back to five seasons ago with the Tennessee Titans, when he intentionally stomped then-Cowboys center Andre Gurode.

You can see the video here.

More than this, Haynesworth has been called for more personal fouls, continually gets heated on the sideline, argues with referees, been seen throwing punches during on-field fights, etc....

He isn't on the field too much recently, but when he is, you can expect some dirty play to be a result more often than not.

18. Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings

I am not into allowing the likes of Tom Brady to act like he is wearing a skirt in the offensive backfield. In fact, it has gotten pretty stupid if you ask me. Quarterbacks are still NFL football players and shouldn't be treated like Girl Scouts.

Still, this hit on Matt Schaub a couple years ago really has to piss you off; I know it did me. You go low to a quarterback's legs, it could lead to a season- or career-ending injury, and that just isn't right.

Allen has also been called for six late-hit penalties over the course of the last three seasons.

17. Adrian Wilson, Arizona Cardinals

Adrian Wilson is one of my favorite safeties in the NFL. I love how he goes big 100 percent of the time. Many clubs wished they had a player like him on their roster.

Still, this doesn't mean that he should be omitted from the list. He is one dirty bird.

From 2001 to 2010, Wilson received over 25 personal foul penalties, which I would have to think ranks him near the top of the league.

As a 49er follower I have seen Wilson completely lay out Vernon Davis and Brian Westbrook over the last couple seasons.

To date, it is estimated that he has been fined a whopping $350,000 for hits over the duration of his career.

At least we know Wilson has charity on his mind.

16. Shawne Merriman, Buffalo Bills

There was no player in the NFL outside of Ray Lewis that was as feared as Shawne Merriman during his days with the San Diego Chargers.

Still, it appeared that he was attempting to actually literally remove quarterbacks' heads from their bodies on more than one occasion. I noticed this in a preseason game against Alex Smith and the 49ers, a game that I was right there in the audience to see.

Fast-forward to the current day, and Merriman doesn't get the hype that he used to. However, he still has that mean streak as a member of the Buffalo Bills.

15. Harvey Dahl, St. Louis Rams

Harvey Dahl is so mean that even teammates may not want to take him on in practice. A couple years ago, the former Falcons guard got in a fight with a teammate that caused him to get eight stitches.

The following is from CBS Sports about the fight:

"

Dahl has his share of them, so many that when the fight started, those on the sidelines without a clear view of the number of the offensive player pretty much knew who it was right away.

The chorus was easy to hear: "Harvey."

"

Things haven't changed since Dahl joined the St. Louis Rams this season. He continues to play with a mean streak and has been called for multiple penalties over the course of his career.

The reason Dahl is lower on this list is because he might actually be more tough than he is dirty.

14. Joey Porter, Arizona Cardinals

The following is a quote from Hines Ward after he beat out Joey Porter as the NFL's dirtiest player back in 2009:

"I beat Joey? Wow, that's definitely a big honor to beat Joey Porter."

Even Porter's ex-teammate understands that he is one dirty player.

Although Porter hasn't drawn the wrath of the NFL throughout his brilliant career, he has a reputation for being among the league's most intimidating and dirty players.

13. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens

Ray Lewis is just a beast, an absolute beast. He wouldn't only eat your cats for dinner; he would knock their heads against the wall until brain parts came oozing out and then lick them up just for fun.

This is just the way Lewis plays the game.

The hit on Chad Ochocinco back in 2009 damn near killed the enigmatic receiver. Later that season he was also fined for kicking another player.

Um, Mr. Ochocinco, "I don't think you need that helmet anymore."

12. Richie Incognito, Miami Dolphins

There has been nothing Incognito about Richie's dirty NFL play. He has been fined over $75,000 during his NFL career for personal foul penalties. This doesn't even count the fact that many NFL players have come to the conclusion that he is pretty nasty underneath the piles on fumbles.

Of course, as men we really don't want to know what happens. Just thank the jockstrap gods that there is some type of defense to clawing, pulling and squeezing.

For Richie, it represents just another roadblock on the way to dirtying his image even more.

11. Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh Steelers

There is a reason there are multiple Pittsburgh Steelers on this list. They are simply one dirty, dirty team. Opposing offenses just hate to go up against them. One of the reasons is because they have hard hitters across the board.

Another reason is because they go beyond the law of the land more often than not.

Clark became well known around the league due to his hit on Wes Welker a few years back. It really did look like Clark was trying to kill him. But this image has continued through the years. He continually leads with the head and doesn't believe the play ends with the whistle.

10. Darnell Dockett, Arizona Cardinals

A couple years ago Clinton Portis called out Darnell Dockett for dirty play against the Washington Redskins:

"

We really want to do it within the rules, and I think you seen Stephon [Heyer] lay [Darnell] Docket out, wipe him off his feet, and the ref want to throw a flag. I think it was a legit call, but oh, that's unnecessary.

"

Is he right?

Well, Dockett has accumulated over $60,000 in fines over the course of his career, and that number could be much higher. He plays with a lot of passion, but sometimes that causes the talented defensive lineman to play through the whistle. I have noticed multiple "dirty" hits against the likes of Alex Smith, Ben Roethlisberger and even more recently Matt Ryan.

Still, he is one of those players that you love if he was on your team. Mad respect to him from me!

9. Bart Scott, New York Jets

Bart Scott's hit against Reggie Bush a few years ago progressed the idea that he was a dirty player. There is no room in the game for hitting a running back like that below or at the knee. You could create a career-ending injury with dirty play like that.

Two years ago, Scott pile-drove Ben Roethlisberger into the ground. While no one likes to see the Steelers quarterback hit more than I do, it wasn't kosher in the grand scheme of things.

Sometimes players just go too far beyond the parameters of the game and become dangerous in regards to the health of other players.

I put Bart Scott near the top of that list.

8. Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers

I really didn't want to put Troy that far up on this list, but after doing research I figured it would seem ignorant for me not to.

No leach in this rice for me, says Polamalu after taking his frustrations out on two members of the Baltimore Ravens. Check the video out here.

Even prior to the 2011 opening-weekend spat with Baltimore, Troy Polamalu has proven himself to be dirty.

A couple years ago he took on what many consider to be unfair rules designed to protect offensive players:

"

I think regarding the evolution of football, it's becoming more and more flag football, two-hand touch. We've really lost the essence of what real American football is about. I think it's probably all about money. They're not really concerned about safety.

"

While I don't disagree with this sentiment, he has had his fair share of blatant personal foul penalties. Even as one of the best defensive players in the league, the All-Pro Steelers safety isn't above the letter of the law.

7. Brandon Meriweather, Chicago Bears

There is a difference between playing tough and being a thug on the football field; Meriweather represents the latter.

As recently as last week against the Carolina Panthers, he has seen the wrath of the NFL come down on him big time. The former first-round pick was fined $20,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Steve Smith.

Overall, the safety has been fined over $100,000 during his short NFL career for dirty play. The most prominent of Meriweather's "dirty" hits came against Todd Heap last year when he was fined $50,000.

Whether or not you agree with the large fine, it is apparent that he intended to harm the former Ravens tight end. In fact, his reaction to the hit seems to sum it up the best.

6. Brian Dawkins, Denver Broncos

Holy crap, Brian Dawkins has been one of the dirtiest players in the NFL since my teenage years, when he laid a hit against Jeff Garcia that I will still remember to this day.

I wish I could find that video.

Instead, I will just tell you to play especially close attention next time you watch the Broncos play. Dawkins enjoys leading with his head and laying out opposing offensive players.

5. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers

You have to give mad props to a former college quarterback turned NFL wide receiver acting like a linebacker. Well, this is Hines Ward for you.

Although many have concluded that Ward is simply dirty, I would say he is more of an opportunist. This means that he finds an opportunity to take out a player in the dirtiest possible fashion and then does it.

The problem with this is the fact that Ward is a wide receiver and gets a taste of his own medicine more than you could imagine.

Here is a clip of Ward doing the nasty against Ed Reed of the Baltimore Ravens. Figure it out for yourself.

4. Dunta Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

Dunta Robinson must really hate the Philadelphia Eagles for passing up on him in free agency a couple years ago. Two of his largest fines have come against Eagles receivers: $50,000 against Jeremy Maclin and $40,000 against DeSean Jackson.

Overall, I have counted about $150,000 in total fines against Robinson.

One instance comes to mind above all others. You can see it here.

It was a helmet-to-helmet collision against a defenseless Jackson last season. There is a reputation that Robinson is just an aggressive player, but there is no room in the NFL for this crap.

3. James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers

James Harrison has caught the wrath of the NFL more than any other player in the league. Whether or not you agree if that it is fair isn't the point.

He is a dirty player by all possible estimates.

There is a major difference between actually intending to lead with your helmet and a play turning out that way. Harrison prefers the former. You can see that he actually intends to cause the most possible damage to players up the middle by leading and spearing a player into the ground with his helmet.

He wants us all to believe that our eyes are deceiving us, that we don't know the rules of the game and that the NFL is out to get him, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

Harrison might be an All-Pro performer, but he sits near the top of this list for a reason.

2. Cortland Finnegan, Tennessee Titans

Players that are not on the Tennessee Titans absolutely hate the "great Finnegan." A lot of opponents haven't been shy about their outward hostility towards the Titans corner.

That said, I am not going to focus too much on this player, as we can all agree he is one of the dirtiest individuals in all of sports.

The fact that Finnegan actually wants to be considered the dirtiest player in the league and considers being on these lists an honor enables me to move forward without any hesitation.

1. Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions

It is hard to believe that a player that has only been in the league for 21 games would sit atop this list, but that is exactly where Suh finds himself.

I do want to preface him being on here by saying that he is probably one of the most feared players in the league, even at such a young age. Additionally, Suh is already one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL.

Still, you cannot deny that he should be here.

The hit on Andy Dalton during the preseason cost him $20,000; this was the third time that Suh had been fined for roughing the passer in less than a calendar year. His strength enables him to get to the quarterback and treat him like a rag doll, but that isn't allowed in the NFL.

Suh needs to get a hold of himself; otherwise he will see the wrath of the NFL come down on him as hard as some of the other players on this list.