Ndamukong Suh Fined $20K: Why This Is No Issue for the Detroit Lions

According to multiple sources, Ndamukong Suh has been hit with a $20,000 fine for the unnecessary roughness penalty he committed last Friday night on rookie Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton.

Suh, who has now been fined for his third roughness play in his one-year NFL career, was flagged for the penalty after wrapping up Dalton and throwing him roughly to the turf by the neck. The former TCU Horned Frogs helmet was ripped off in the process.

Dalton tried to check down the football to running back James Develin when he sensed the pressure from Suh was nearing. Approximately three seconds after disposing of the pigskin, Dalton violently came face-to-face with the ground.

Suh was obviously upset with the news, tweeting when the news broke:

@Ndamukong_Suh: "$20,000 REALLY???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #NFL #BIGFAIL"

Being a multiple offender of the league’s new defenseless player policy, Suh added the helpless body of Dalton to his shelf collection of wrangled-up quarterbacks with Jake Delhomme and Jay Cutler.

This latest financial slam to Suh’s wallet may not have been a direct result of the one specific play last week, but rather because of the reputation he is building as one of the league’s dirtiest players in the trenches.

Despite the growing target on the back of the 2010 Defensive Rookie of the Year, the Detroit Lions have nothing to fear with Suh and his aggressive style of play moving forward.

Why does Suh have no reason to fear? Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison is still active in the league.

Harrison was fined a handful of times last season for multiple unnecessary roughness hits and tackling defenseless players. And as if that wasn’t enough, Harrison called out the commissioner of the NFL by calling him Satan’s spawn.

Suh owes Harrison a platinum watch or a filet mignon the next time Harrison “out-dirties” him, taking the limelight off himself.

This really isn’t a huge deal for Suh and the Lions. Harrison has paved the way for nasty play in the NFL. Suh is by far nowhere near as intense or blatantly disrespectful towards player safety as Harrison is.

As long as Harrison is in the league, Suh will always be overshadowed by Harrison’s dark marks.

Another reason the Lions will be fine is because Suh is a young 24-year-old. Harrison last season stated his reason for hitting hard on every play was because that’s how he was taught. At 24, Suh’s style can be altered accordingly.

Suh, in an exclusive sit down interview with Rodney Harrison for the NFL Network, mentioned “there's always a fine line of dirtiness and a fine line of aggressiveness. ... I haven't crossed that line."

Maybe not yet, but he’s on the right track to crossing that imaginary line.

Follow Brett Lyons on Twitter @BrettLyons670.