A hit to the wallet
Detroit’s Ndamukong Suh again feels the wrath of the NFL office.
Ndamukong Suh’s latest controversial play drew a hefty fine.
The Detroit defensive tackle was docked $100,000 by the NFL for his illegal low block against Minnesota center John Sullivan in the Lions’ season-opening victory Sunday. Suh hit Sullivan on an interception return by Detroit linebacker DeAndre Levy, and the penalty negated what would have been a touchdown.
Suh said Sunday he wasn’t going after Sullivan’s knees, adding that the two had discussed the play at halftime. Detroit players said Suh apologized to the team Tuesday. It’s believed to be the largest fine for an NFL player for an on-field violation, although suspensions without pay can result in bigger financial hits.
Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson was taken aback when told of Suh’s fine.
“Oh, baby! For real? Are you serious? A hundred stacks?” Burleson said. “That’s one of the biggest I’ve heard of, but, when you have a guy who people look at as quote-unquote dirty, a play that might not be as dirty could be deemed as such, and you’re going to have to deal with the consequences. I hope he appeals it, because I don’t think that was worthy of being fined $100,000.”
Chargers
San Diego frequently blew halftime leads last season, and a new regime didn’t change that in the season’s opener Monday night.
The Chargers led, 28-7, in the third quarter before the advantage disappeared as visiting Houston rallied for a 31-28 victory. The Chargers’ final five second-half possessions featured four three-and-outs and an interception that Texans linebacker Brian Cushing returned for a tying touchdown.
Said new San Diego coach Mike McCoy: “We stubbed our toes a little too many times.”
Giants
New York signed running back Brandon Jacobs, who played for the Giants from 2005-11 and was a part of two Super Bowl-winning teams. His return should help a backfield in flux. Second-year starter David Wilson is backed up by Da’Rel Scott and Michael Cox. The Giants ran for 50 yards in their season-opening road loss against the Dallas Cowboys.
Eagles
That jaw-dropping pace Philadelphia showed in coach Chip Kelly’s regular-season debut can be faster. Kelly’s hurry-up offense sparkled in his NFL debut as the Eagles opened the season with a 33-27 win against defending NFC East-champion Washington Monday night. The Eagles ran 53 plays in the first half. “I felt like it was slow, to be honest with you,” Kelly said. “I’m not joking. We left the ball on the ground too much. We didn’t get the ball to the officials. We could have sped things up from a process between plays.”