OT: Ndamukong Suh Wins Appeal; Will Play vs. Dallas
Per Adam Schefter (take it for what it's worth), the Suh suspension was reversed.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2014/story/_/id/12099681/ndamukong-suh-…
SUSPENSION REVERSED: Ndamukong Suh wins appeal, will play this weekend against Dallas (via ESPN and media reports) pic.twitter.com/QnoPUYm3aZ
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 30, 2014
GO LIONS!
December 30th, 2014 at 5:28 PM ^
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December 30th, 2014 at 5:29 PM ^
December 30th, 2014 at 5:51 PM ^
He's an idiot...I don't even care anymore. If you're a leader you don't even put yourself and your team in that position.
Happy to have him on the field, but it was such a "meh" feeling when he got suspended. He can't put himself and his team in a position to miss what may be the biggest game of his career. The fact that he did is selfish no matter if he was suspended or not.
Now that he's got a 2nd chance...go ape shit on the Cowboys OL.
December 30th, 2014 at 6:08 PM ^
He is supremely talent, but so stupid. Not that it matters much as the Lions and Stafford are 0-16 on the road against teams with winning records. I just can'take bring myself to cheer for a team with playeRd like Suh and Raiola.
December 30th, 2014 at 6:22 PM ^
Most teams have scumbags like them...whether being dirty on the field, or engaging in spousal abuse, DUI, violence, etc off of it.
December 30th, 2014 at 6:50 PM ^
December 30th, 2014 at 7:03 PM ^
I totally understand where you are coming from, but the biggest issue with Suh and Raiola is that they are dirty out in the open...in plain sight. Every team has players that play like Suh and Raiola...many teams have guys that are much worse than that. The only difference is that Suh and Raiola are oblivious to the fact that they are being watched. Stepping on guys is a little lame, but you better believe punches are thrown, faces are clawed, and guys are going out there trying to injure other players. Hell, look at the New Orleans Saints. This stuff does happen.
December 30th, 2014 at 7:39 PM ^
I agree completely. The "step" was not terrible by itself, but context matters, and Suh should have avoided it, for the reasons you stated.
December 30th, 2014 at 8:17 PM ^
Look at the video. Look at #70 (IIRC) for the Packers, who had a hand full of his uni and then let go while he was pulling away. HIs story is that #70 pushed him. Either way, you can't judge intent here.
December 30th, 2014 at 5:29 PM ^
and completely undeserved, but good for fans of good football.
December 30th, 2014 at 5:29 PM ^
Everytime I think you can't be any dumber, you go out and totally redeem yourself!!
December 30th, 2014 at 5:31 PM ^
December 30th, 2014 at 7:38 PM ^
Greg Landry for me. I vividly remember the playoff game against Dallas then when they beat us with a grand slam and solo hr.
December 30th, 2014 at 5:31 PM ^
If he had nearly anyone else's name on his jersey, that would have been a minor fine at most (the second step was arguably a dick move, especially if he could see what he was doing through peripheral vision). I thought Raiola deserved his suspension, btw.
December 30th, 2014 at 5:33 PM ^
you could make a plausible case that it wasn't intentional.
December 30th, 2014 at 5:44 PM ^
We're in violent agreement on this point. The River Dance move on Thanksgiving a couple of years ago? Obviously intentional, and Suh deserved to be suspended for that.
Trodding on Rodgers's leg going backward after being pushed by a Packers player, with the second step landing on a moving calf? That really could be accidental. But even if it was intentional, it would be a stretch to assume it was meant to injure Rodgers. As you say, a plausible defense.
Raiola against the Bears? His was just douche move, and is indefensible. It's what douches do.
December 30th, 2014 at 5:46 PM ^
But there is only one other name on a jersey that would be guilty of recidivism by doing this and it happens to be his teammate. not sure why it wasn't upheld or at least carried forward into next year if they didn't want to impact the playoffs
December 30th, 2014 at 6:18 PM ^
But not many other players have the same reputation and history as Suh, and that matters. Especially when the NFL has said repeat offenders will get hit harder.
Also to your point about the peripheral vision, he didn't need it to tell what he was doing. He knew where he was on the field, he knew what player was on the ground around him. He didn't need to see Rodgers to know that he stepped on him once, he could clearly feel what he was doing, and the second step was clearly him trying to put force on Rodgers. What else would be on the ground for him to step on besides a player's body like that?
December 30th, 2014 at 5:32 PM ^
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December 30th, 2014 at 6:22 PM ^
Dirty play is common along the lines. Eye pokes, groin grabs, etc. This is a well known fact. Suh just happens to be foolish enough to do it in front of everyon instead of the scrums where it normally happens.
December 31st, 2014 at 9:10 AM ^
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December 30th, 2014 at 6:53 PM ^
(Sorry, Liverpool fan here whose son is a rabid Chelsea supporter. Couldn't resist!)
December 30th, 2014 at 7:44 PM ^
December 31st, 2014 at 9:10 AM ^
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December 30th, 2014 at 5:36 PM ^
Totally not a suspendable action, but he reamins a jackass nevertheless.
December 30th, 2014 at 5:36 PM ^
So how does this work? Does the arbitration panel just review the film and decide it wasn't intentional? Who's on the panel?
December 30th, 2014 at 5:49 PM ^
They just decided that the penalty didn't fit the crime. Everyone knows that he did it on purpose and everyone knows that missing a playoff game was just too big of a penalty and an emotional overreaction because of his reputation. Kudos to them for making it right.
December 30th, 2014 at 6:05 PM ^
i think a spearing or a late helmet-to-helmet hit is worse than what suh did. it was blown way out of proportion. i fine is penalty enough.
December 30th, 2014 at 6:09 PM ^
This has been something that has largely gone ignored due to the whole "intentional or unintentional" debate. I think the overruling wasn't about that. It was saying even if it was intentional, which is difficult to discern, a playoff game suspension was too severe. I think some people still disagree with that, which is fine, but I think that was largely due to the media hoopla surrounding it. If we all take a breath and watch the action in real time, was that really worthy of a playoff game? I understand people will disagree and have legitimate reasons, but I say no.
December 30th, 2014 at 5:36 PM ^
Totally not a suspendable action, but he remains a jackass nevertheless.
December 30th, 2014 at 5:41 PM ^
December 30th, 2014 at 5:43 PM ^
So will Lions fans now stop acting like the most persecuted fanbase in major North American sports? Who am I kidding, of course they won't.
December 30th, 2014 at 5:58 PM ^
Persecuted by the incompetence of the Fords for 60 years.
The Packers and their fans are are the biggest whiners in American sports which is why they are among the most reviled.
December 30th, 2014 at 6:06 PM ^
Well, plenty of Lions fans like to act anytime any player on their team is punished for anything (deservedly or not) that the league is simply out to get them. I've lost count of how many times I have seen or heard Lions fans go out of their way to defend Suh for his boneheadedness. Quite a few here are saying that the first time he stomped a guy it was clearly intentional, but this time it wasn't. Well, the first time he did it they jumped to defend him with the "simply trying to get his balance" bs.
You guys can neg me all you want, but, like I said before, if this was someone on the Packers that stepped on Stafford (even if he didn't have a history for being a moron on the field) many of you guys would've been raging to high heaven he get maximum punishment.
December 30th, 2014 at 6:14 PM ^
You realize, of course, that in the same game DT Josh Boyd did the same to Stafford (drawing blood) and nothing happened to him. So your hypothetical is reality, and I've not heard any Lions fans crying for Boyd's head.
December 30th, 2014 at 6:23 PM ^
He clearly and knowingly put all of his weight onto Stafford's leg?
December 30th, 2014 at 6:36 PM ^
You directly imply that Suh "clearingly and knowingly" stepped on Rodgers's leg? You can't see how people being pushed backward keep going backward?* You can see into Suh's mind?!
But yeah. Josh Boyd appears to have cleated Stafford something solid. Check THIS out.**
*You'll note I allowed for the possibility that Suh's step was intentional, but as TaiStreetsMyHero noted, there's a plausible defense there provided you're not judge, jury, and executioner.
**Yeah, I'm aware of who Kelly Hall is.
December 30th, 2014 at 7:04 PM ^
Considering he in no way acknowledged he was stepping on something (which is literally impossible to escape his notice), yeah I'm gonna operate under the assumption he knowingly put all his weight down on the leg.
December 30th, 2014 at 7:47 PM ^
I predict we're not getting to "yes" on whether we know if Suh's step was intentional. As noted above, your certitude is impressive.
Of course, in your mind Stafford was probably also faking the bleeding. 'Cause, you know ... Lions. Whiny fake bleeders.
On the plus side, Harbaugh? HARBAUGH!
December 30th, 2014 at 8:08 PM ^
Everyone steps on your leg, steps on my leg...
December 30th, 2014 at 9:46 PM ^
Everyone Murders.
December 30th, 2014 at 6:15 PM ^
I understand why they lifted it as they don't want a suspension to be a determining factor in a playoff game. I am not saying that this is right. He should be suspended. I'm done with the guy. I want him gone.
However, Packer fans are as big of assholes as Buckeye fans are. Worst fans next to Bears fans when it comes to hypocrisy and self-righteousness. They don't deserve Rodgers. Dude's a class act whom I respect a lot. The Pack's OL is dirty and Matthews pushes the boundries as well. But that's the NFL. You have to play with an edge. Rational NFL fans know this.
I'm not defending Suh. He clearly has problems with dirty play, but ask any former lineman and they'll tell you dirty play is the norm along the line. I find it hypocritical for people to get enraged at Suh for what most linemen in the NFL do. Suh just happens to be stupid enough to do it out in the open.
Anyways, it's not going to matter as the Lions will lose. Hopefully, we won't have to deal with this bullshit next year.
December 30th, 2014 at 6:20 PM ^
I don't agree with your anti-Suh position. I really like Suh's game, and he seems like a great guy off the field. Just like, my opinion, man.
But you sum up the early part of Suh's career brilliantly when you say:
I find it hypocritical for people to get enraged at Suh for what most linemen in the NFL do. Suh just happens to be stupid enough to do it out in the open.
That is spot on, good sir.
December 30th, 2014 at 7:39 PM ^
Yeah, I think we'll see a drop of in Levy's play if Suh is gone next year. Won't be nearly as much room for him to operate in.
December 30th, 2014 at 6:22 PM ^
I know virtually nothing of Packers fans. I don't follow the NFL closely at all. I just have to listen to Lions fans all the time. As an "outsider" to the fanbase, they are often a grating and whiny ass bunch. Do you know how many times you can hear "this is our year!" from the fanbase of a team that sucks complete ass before it becomes annoying as all hell?
December 30th, 2014 at 11:05 PM ^
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December 30th, 2014 at 5:44 PM ^
The triad is complete.
Harbaugh signs with Michigan.
Michigan beats Illinois.
Suh is freed.
December 30th, 2014 at 5:47 PM ^
VIVA LA HARBAUGH!
December 30th, 2014 at 5:50 PM ^
I thought the NFL goofballs said that the game check was only $27K for a win or $25K for a loss.
December 30th, 2014 at 5:54 PM ^