NFL looking into Suh’s facemask takedown on Delhomme
The Detroit Lions first-round draft pick Ndamukong Suh may get a rude awakening on what the NFL rulebook entails. The defensive tackle hauled down Cleveland Browns’ quarterback Jake Delhomme by his facemask, twisting his head and slamming him into the ground. It was an ugly looking play and there may be consequences for Suh’s actions.
Browns’ coach Eric Mangini requested to the league that they investigate the play. Suh was assessed a 15-yard penalty but the play looked bad enough to warrant an ejection from the game. Suh has claimed the play was accidental.
"I was just going after the ball, and I had no clue that he had gotten rid of it," Suh said to the Associated Press. "I don't know what to expect from the league. I've gotten personal fouls before, but that was in college, and they can't fine you there."
Browns’ backup quarterback Seneca Wallace declared that he felt Suh should be suspended but Mangini thinks that Suh didn’t have bad intentions and it was indeed an accident.
"When I met the kid, he was a good kid. I don't think he's a malicious guy, from what I know about him. It was just a poor decision. It put the quarterback at risk, but I'm not the official. You don't want to see that at any point, but my experience with him in the draft process is that he's a good kid and it was just not a great decision,” Mangini said.
It is still uncertain whether Suh will just have to pay a fine, if he’ll be suspended or if no disciplinary action is taken. The Lions certainly wouldn’t like it as they’re counting on Suh to be the foundation of their defence.
The victim on the play, Delhomme wouldn’t say whether he felt Suh should be suspended: "I'll let the league office handle that," Delhomme said smiling. "We got a first down out of it and that made me happy."
Still, the Lions did go on to win the game, winning 35-27, illegal tackle or no.
Tags: