We’ve been talking a lot about Ndamukong Suh the past few days. So why stop now?  I’m about to show you arguably the most accurate depiction of Suh you will likely ever see.

I enjoy this so much. I sincerely hope this is the future of sports reporting. Because I’m on board. And also? They might want to reconsider those anger management classes.

You can find me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MelissaHeyboer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/barrysandersmemorialblog.

Adam Schefter is reporting that Ndamukong Suh will not only appeal his two-game suspension — he’s being encourage to by the league.

This is sort of a strange turn of events if you ask me. Not entirely sure why they would issue a two-game suspension only to encourage him to appeal. I understand why he’s appealing, I just can’t for the life of me figure out why the league wants him to. I suppose they want to hear more of what he has to say regarding the situation.

Either way, it’s probably a good sign that a two-game suspension could be lessened to one game or none. We shall see. » Continue reading “Ndamukong Suh Will Appeal 2-Game Suspension”

Following the news that Ndamukong will suspended for two games without pay, the NFL and the Detroit Lions oraganization have released statements addressing the issue. Head coach Jim Schwartz also commented on the suspension during an interview on 97.1 “The Ticket” this morning.

The NFL’s full statement highlights Suh’s ban from Lions facilities until Dec. 12:

NFL Vice President of Football Operations Merton Hanks notified Ndamukong Suh today that he has been suspended without pay for the Lions’ next two games for his unsportsmanlike conduct in the Lions-Packers game on Thanksgiving Day. It was Suh’s fifth violation of on-field rules in the past two seasons that has resulted in league discipline. Suh may not practice or be at the team practice facility for any other activities during the two-game suspension. He will be reinstated on December 12. Under the CBA, the suspension may be appealed within three business days. If appealed, an expedited hearing and decision would take place this week in advance of this weekend’s games.

The previous fines were for hits on Jay Cutler, Jake Delhomme and Andy Dalton. The last fine, which was not previously reported was a $5,000 for using an opponent to gain leverage on a field goal last year, according to John Niyo.

The Lions statement via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press: » Continue reading “Detroit Lions, NFL Release Statements on Suh’s Suspension”

According to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, Ndamukong Suh has been suspended for two games without pay. This is good news for the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings — Detroit’s next two opponents — and bad news for a struggling Lions team that will lose one of its most effective players.

The suspension will result in $164,000 in lost salary and he will not be allowed to practice with the team or participate in any activities.

Suh can appeal the suspension, which comes after being ejected from Thursday’s loss to the Packers where he held down Evan Dietrich-Smith and then stomped on him. In his post-game press conference Suh said he was simply “trying to remove himself from the situation.”

On a Facebook post the following day, Suh expressed his remorse, but few believed he actually meant it. Yesterday, Suh called NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to apologize over the phone. But at that point, I think it was probably too little too late.

Adam Schefter tweeted yesterday: “Lions DT Ndamukong Suh called NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last night to apologize for his behavior during Detroit’s loss to Green Bay.” » Continue reading “Ndamukong Suh Gets 2-Game Suspension Without Pay”

Who else is still reeling from a turkey overdose? Only me? OK. I don’t know what it is but my vacation hangover seems to be a hell of a lot more pronounced this year than in years past.

Part of it is because I had such a great time at home and with family that I didn’t want to leave, so getting up for work this morning was next to impossible. Add to that the roller coaster sports weekend of the Lions getting trounced and Michigan ending its seven-year drought against Ohio State and you get an emotionally exhausted and homesick girl.

I want sympathy, people.

To help myself heel from this current state I will distract myself with Lions news — lots of it!

• Calvin Johnson was mic’d up last week against the Carolina Panthers for NFL Network’s Sound FX. If you remember the one that was done on Matthew Stafford earlier this season, you remember just how awesome these can be. This one doesn’t disappoint. Johnson obviously isn’t as animated as Stafford or many other guys on the team, but he still serves up some memorable sound bites. And so does defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, who tells Johnson that he’s the basically the best receiver in the game. It’s a good watch. Check out the video here.  » Continue reading “Lions’ Droppings: News, Notes and Nonsense”

… needs to become a man on the football field. I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for Ndamukong Suh. The fact that he can be a mild-mannered, soft spoken do-gooder off the field, and turn around and be a hard-noised, in your face competitor on, is admirable.

But that line is quickly blurring.

For what it’s worth, I still don’t think Suh is “dirty.” I still think he’s a valuable asset to the Detroit Lions and I still think he deserves a second (OK, maybe third or fourth) chance. Suh isn’t stupid. I think he’s immature. And I think he lacks a tremendous amount of composure when put in situations like the one that presented itself on Sunday.

Here’s a video to quickly jog your memory:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3CG9OVO1ng

It took me a few days to cool down after that incident. And I’m glad I waited until today to write something. Suh is not in the good graces of a lot of Detroit fans — including myself. And rightfully so. » Continue reading “A Boy Named Suh …”

This is one of those surprising news bits that really isn’t all that surprising. With each passing week that RB Jahvid Best missed and with little discussion as to his current state of health, I think most Lions fans assumed this day would come.

It doesn’t make it any easier, especially with the recent injury to Kevin Smith. But, as much as I hate to say it, it was probably the right thing to do. Concussions are no joke, and Best’s history with them doesn’t help the matter.

Best suffered a concussion during the game against the 49ers — his second of the season — and has subsequently missed the five games following. Immediately following the San Francisco game there were rumors that Best was being advised to sit out the remainder of the season, however, Best and many from the Lions organization were quick to deny those sentiments.

Unfortunately today, they came true.

“From the outset, we have been appropriately cautious and have followed all medical protocol with respect to Jahvid’s injury,” Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Friday. “We look forward to his continued improvement and eventual return to the field.”

Obviously this is a blow to the Lions, especially with the onslaught of injuries in the past two days. Fortunately, one of those injuries may not be as bad as initially thought. » Continue reading “Lions Place RB Jahvid Best on Injured Reserve”

Oh, dear. And to think I was so looking forward to this game. Silly me. I should have known the Lions would find a way to shot themselves in the foot. Prior to this afternoon, I actually thought to myself, “Well, at the very least, the Lions certainly won’t embarrass themselves like past years.”

I’ll wait why you stop laughing …

This game was the worst kind of awful. And the 27-15 score doesn’t do it the least bit of justice.

Let’s recap:

• The national anthem was flubbed (that should have been the first sign of terrible things to come)
• Matthew Stafford threw three interceptions (could have been four or five)
• Aaron Berry (and the rest of the Lions defensive backs) forgot how to cover receivers
• Jason Hanson missed a 47-yard field goal in the first half.
• Kevin Smith got injured … again. It was fun while it lasted.
• Blah, blah, blah … Nickelback … blah, blah, blah
• Oh, so did Chris Houston, Louis Delmas, and what seems like the rest of the Lions secondary (WR Rashied Davis was actually playing as a back at the end of the game. Yes, really)
• The Lions got called for holding, chop blocks, or personal fouls at least every other play. The refs were absolutely atrocious, but the Lions are also playing like untamed and undisciplined zoo animals.
• Ndamukong Suh exists. (I really want to expound on this — and likely will tomorrow — but right now, I’m too angry at him and his sorry excuse for an “apology” that I can’t actually speak about the incident without using expletives every other word. So I’m going to sleep on it. » Continue reading “Lions Self-Destruct, Fall to Packers on Thanksgiving 27-15″

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

There’s less than two hours left before the Lions face the Packers in Detroit’s annual Turkey-day game. So as you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and prepare to eat exorbitant amounts of food, here are some pregame/Thanksgiving tweets from the Lions.

Jim Schwartz:

Jason Fox:

» Continue reading “Gameday Tweets (Thanksgiving Edition): Packers @ Lions”

November 24, 2011

12:30 PM EST

Ford Field

For the first time in what seems like forever, I’m excited to watch the Lions play on Thanksgiving. It’s not that I don’t always look forward to football on turkey day, it’s just that I’ve never had any real big expectations for the Lions come this time of year.

If someone asked me how my Thanksgiving was, I’d typically say “It was good. I ate some food, spent time with family, and watched the Lions lose.” Sure it was disappointing. But it was also expected.

The Last time the Lions won on Thanksgiving was 2003. They beat the Pack 22-14. Since then, they’ve lost seven straight games by an average of 22.9 points.

Not this year. This year is different. This year, I’m pumped. There’s a really good chance the Lions will lose tomorrow against the undefeated Green Bay Packers. And it will suck. Royally. But it still won’t feel like all the past Thanksgivings. Because even though this game is huge, if we lose, there’s still a real good shot to make the playoffs. And that’s something Lions fans haven’t experienced in quite some time.

Here are some things to look for:

• Green Bay’s defense will make or break this game. The Packers are a great team. But they are flawed. And it starts and ends with their defense. Both Green Bay and Detroit are passing teams. The difference is, Green Bay’s defense has given up a crap ton of yards through the air. And with Calvin Johnson and Titus Young down field, it could pose a lot of problems for the Packers, who gave up more than 400 all-purpose yards to Tampa Bay last week. » Continue reading “Week 12 Preview: Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions”