(Image Source: The Inquisitr)
BY MOLLY HULSEY
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for Ndamukong Suh.
Already serving a 2-game suspension for stomping on a Packers’ linebacker Thanksgiving Day, Suh was involved in a car crash in his hometown of Portland -- and now, new reports show he may have lied to police about the details of the accident.
So what’s the NFL to do with Suh?
STEVE WYCHE: “The NFL, as of right now, plans to let the legal process play out and not intervene at this moment, according to sources I have spoken to. The source also told me that nothing that Ndamukong Suh has done at this moment appears to violate the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.”
This isn’t the first time Suh has showed signs of anger issues, and the Detroit Free Press’ Michael Rosenberg wonders if he’ll finally learn his lesson.
“Suh clearly has an on-field rage problem. But does he have an off-field rage issue?... Suh has been barreling toward this moment for a long time. Maybe he needed it. Maybe he needed the criticism to swell, and a suspension to come down, and his team to lose on national television, to realize what is at stake.”
Former Raiders’ defensive end Howie Long is no stranger to rough play, but even he is mystified by Suh’s behavior.
HOWIE LONG: “To me, he’s a bit of an enigma. On the one hand, he seems to be a really good guy, as you mentioned, and we know he’s an extraordinary talent. On the other hand, he appears to be either incapable of understanding the consequences of his actions, or he believes he’s above the rules that apply to everyone else.”
CBS Sports’ Charles Casserly reports -- there have been warning signs of Suh’s anger for a long time.
CHARLES CASSERLY: “I talked to general managers and scouting directors over the weekend, and they told me absolutely there were red lights at Nebraska and even before that that did not surprise them when they’ve seen Suh behave like this in the NFL. It was there for people to see and know.”
Are Suh’s on- and off-field incidents a product of his character, or his environment? A Fox Sports writer thinks his coaches share the blame.
“Suh's past two coaches — in the NFL and Nebraska — have been belligerent, bullying, raging sideline lunatics. Schwartz has bred in Detroit a culture of fake tough, trash talk, lack of accountability and building anger. Hang around angry people long enough, and you, too, will be angry.”
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen wonders if the League will soon step in.
CHRIS MORTENSEN: “There’s still an element here that’s unknown, and that is Ndamukong Suh and would the league ask him to undergo an evaluation to determine whether he needs some anger management. I don’t know where stepping on your gas pedal qualifies... to me there certainly will probably be an evaluation and a review.”
But a writer for the Green Bay Press Gazette says Suh’s violent behavior isn’t an accurate portrayal of his personality.
“Suh is renowned not only as a prodigious football talent but also for his relentless work ethic, family values and commitment to the community... A player of Suh's caliber can carry a team and lift up a town. Or he can let them both down... Ndamukong Suh is better than this. He ought to start acting like it on the field.”
Suh is eligible to rejoin the Lions December 12. He will miss the team’s divisional matchup against Minnesota the previous day.