Detroit Lion Ndamukong Suh's Dirty Play: Should NFL Take Action?

After Jake Delhomme was able to move the Cleveland Browns offense up and down the field with ease, Detroit rookie Ndamukong Suh showed frustration and very dirty play with a violent facemask penalty against the veteran quarterback.

On a third down play in Saturday’s preseason game, Suh caught Delhomme from behind by the facemask and pulled him to the ground as Delhomme was flushed from the pocket.  After the rookie pulled Delhomme down by the facemask, he grabbed Delhomme’s head with his other hand and twisted as he tossed him backwards.

Facemask penalties happen at every level of football, but as an NFL player, Suh should know better and display more control.  Suh’s actions showed blatant intent to injure Delhomme and should have resulted in a more serious penalty, possibly an ejection from the game.

Not only was the penalty cheap, but it was worthy of retaliation.  Suh is lucky that Cleveland’s offensive line did not come to Delhomme’s aid like New Orleans Saints lineman Kyle Turley did for Aaron Brooks in the infamous helmet toss incident against the Jets.

The penalty was the second facemask penalty called on Suh in Saturday’s game and Suh’s dirty play should be looked at by the NFL.

NFL football is a violent, injury-prone game and the NFL does everything it can to make the game as safe as possible.  There is no room for this type of play in the NFL and Roger Goodell should take a closer look at Suh’s play and impose a fine and/or suspension.