Another week of NFL action means another week of Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh having to explain his actions. After telling reporters heading into the Lions Week 5 matchup with the Green Bay Packers that even though he spent time with Aaron Rodgers at a summer camp during the offseason, he couldn't envision himself being friends with a quarterback, he proved just that on Sunday.
During a 3rd-and-six play for the Packers (2-2) in their eventual 22-9 victory over the Lions (3-2), Suh was flagged for tripping Rodgers after he tried to get past Green Bay's offensive line, while Rodgers tried to bail out to the right. Suh, who was battling Packers tackle Don Barclay, was still in Barclay's grasp when he lunged after Rodgers and caught his leg, which caused the quarterback to stumble but not fall down.
The pass fell incomplete, but the Lions were charged with a 10-yard infraction on the play.
"I wouldn't say it was a tripping play," Suh said per the Bay City Times. "I was more or less reaching out and trying to grab him while being held. It's part of the game. I have got to find a better way to get off the offensive linemen and make a play."
Suh has gained quite the reputation for bad penalties throughout his career and has repeatedly heard from the league about it. Most recently, he was fined $100,000 for his low blindside hit on Minnesota Vikings center John Sullivan in Week 1, but he appealed the hefty levy that was slapped on him. Suh said he has not heard from the third-party arbitrator regarding his appeal of the fine.
The Detroit News reported that Suh still hasn't heard from the arbitrator, but that not hearing anything probably means that the fine has not been reduced. Suh was very upset about the fine when he first heard about it, telling reporters that they'd have to ask the league whether or not the punishment for the infraction in Week 1 was due to the actual hit itself or his reputation, as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has vowed to come down hard on repeat offenders.
While Suh has received a lot of scrutiny for tripping Rodgers, he stands by the fact that it was not a tripping play, and even if it was he probably won't be fined for it.
Suh is enjoying quite the defensive year; through five games he has two sacks and 14 tackles, three of which came against the Packers Sunday.
Suh recently said he could never be friends with Rodgers even though they had some fun off the field over the summer.
"I don't think I'll ever be able to have a friend as a quarterback, especially one I see twice a year," Suh told the Detroit Free Press heading into the Week 5 matchup. "But without question, off the field, he's good people, and I definitely enjoyed being around him."
Rodgers probably didn't enjoy getting tripped up by Suh during Sunday's game, but the Packers quarterback got the last laugh in the 22-9 victory Sunday.
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