Ndamukong Suh Suspended: Why Lions DT Deserves 2-Game NFL Ban

Ndamukong Suh has been suspended for two games by the league office for his conduct during the Detroit Lions' Thanksgiving game against the Green Bay Packers, according to Jay Glazer.

Suh violently smashed OL Evan Dietrich-Smith’s helmet into the turf a few times and then got up, dragged his foot across his body and unleashed a brutal kick near the man’s face.

This isn’t the first time Suh has been disciplined for his insane behavior on the field, but it will be his first suspension.

Of course, the league needed to suspend the second-year defensive tackle for his actions, because it was just the latest in a series of violent and aggressive plays that go beyond what the rules allow for.

Commissioner Roger Goodell met with him in the beginning of the month to talk about how he has been fined and flagged for a number of plays over the past two seasons that could easily be construed as dirty. 

That meeting was also a warning that he must change or face strict discipline. He wouldn't be given the benefit of the doubt again and I'm glad the commissioner stuck to his word.

Suh came out of that meeting saying that he would not change his style. It was only a matter of time before something like this happened.

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"I like to punish quarterbacks, I like to punish running backs for them trying to make plays on my defense and my other teammates," Suh said during an ESPN interview. "If they want to look at it—whether it's dirty, aggressive or whatever it may be—we're going to continue to play that well and make sure that we stand up and not allow teams to run over us and pass over us."

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That had to anger the commissioner, and this last incident finally earned Suh the punishment he deserved.

Now that the Lions DT clearly identified himself as a dirty player on national television, he’s going to take two games off to think about how he actually does need to change his ways. There is no place for that type of behavior in the NFL.

There is nothing wrong with going after the quarterback and punishing a RB with legal hits. But smashing people’s helmets into the turf and trying to kick them in the face is just crossing the line.

Especially when it’s against an offensive lineman who just made an incredible block on an All-Pro.

Dave Birkett has the NFL's statement on the suspension and it notes that he has the right to appeal within three business days.

He shouldn't even bother. It was a downright cheap shot that everyone saw from multiple angles. His team didn't even have his back.

The Lions released a statement the next day saying,

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"The on-field conduct exhibited by Ndamukong Suh that led to his ejection from (Thursday’s) game was unacceptable and failed to meet the high level of sportsmanship we expect from our players.”

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Suh deserved this penalty, and he is lucky that it isn’t more severe. Darren Rovell reported that it would only cost him $164,000.

Expect him to change his ways or be facing a much more serious ban in the future. He has been given enough warnings, and now he must adapt.