Ndamukong Suh is one of the primary reasons why the Detroit Lions are having such a good season.  Currently the Lions are 7-4 and in the hunt for a wild card spot in the NFC playoffs.   After countless years of losing  the Lions finally have put together a squad that is worthy of playing in the NFL.

Detroit acquired Suh and numerous other top first round draft picks over the past several years because they have been the laughing stock of the league for so long.  In 2008 the Lions made history by becoming the first team in the NFL to go 0-16.

Suh, a defensive tackle out of Nebraska was drafted number 2 overall in the 2010 draft by Detroit.  His impact was immediately felt on the field, as he had a spectacular first year in the NFL, winning the Rookie of the Year award.

Last Thursday, Suh was ejected from the Thanksgiving day game against the Packers in the third quarter when he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.  He was caught pushing Green Bay offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith's head to the turf a couple of times, then stomping on his right arm.
Suh reportedly called NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Sunday to apologize following the incident.  Today the NFL announced that Suh will be suspended 2 games for his actions.  Suh is no stranger to receiving fines for inappropriate hits on opposing NFL players.
He grabbed Cincinnati QB Andy Dalton and threw him to the turf after he had gotten rid of the ball in a preseason game this year.  Last season he was fined on 2 separate occasions when he shoved Bears QB Jay Cutler high in the back, and twisted Cleveland QB Jake Delhomme's face mask, slamming him into the ground.

Other players have had problems controlling their behavior both on and off the field as well.  In 2006 Titans DT Albert Haynesworth attempted to stomp on Cowboys center Andre Gurode's head but missed.   A second stomp opened up a  wound on Gurode's forehead, narrowly missing his right eye.  Former 49ers, Eagles, and Broncos linebacker Bill Romanoski was a real hot head on the field.  In 1995 he was ejected from a game and fined $4,500 for kicking Arizona Cardinals fullback Larry Centers in the head.

Ndamukong Suh seems like a real nice guy off the field, but once he steps on it the game changes him completely.  It is understandable to play the game the way it is supposed to be played, after all it is football.  There is quite a bit of contact, but Suh takes it way to far.  He has the potential to become one of the greatest defensive tackles of all time.  That is if he can keep his cool on the field and not try to kill the opposition.

Suh picked the worst possible time to get suspended for 2 games.  The Lions are attempting to make the post season for the first time since 1999.  With the stretch run upon us in the NFL season, things don't get any easier for them as they face the New Orleans Saints next Sunday night in the big easy.  My advice to Suh would be to either seek counseling or to attend anger management classes.  With such a prosperous career ahead of him, it certainty wouldn't hurt.

More From 600 ESPN El Paso