The Detroit Lions are making big news in the last couple of days both on and off the field.

First off, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was fined $20,000 for his latest hard hit on a quarterback.  The recipient this time being Cincinnati’s rookie quarterback Andy Dalton.

Suh, a Pro Bowler last season, grabbed Dalton by the face mask and threw him down to the ground.  On the play, Suh was given a rougher the passer flag.

Many people have mixed feelings on the play.  Some believe the play was dirty and that Suh deserved the fine he was given.  Others feel that the play gives the Lions a reason to be feared by other teams, like this article says.

I believe that Suh did go a little too far on the play.  However, I also feel the author of the fear article has a valid point.  If the Lions and Suh can install a fear among other teams then that would be great.  Suh seems like he is the starting piece to creating a team like the Detroit Pistons of the 1980’s and 1990’s, which would be great for the city to rally around.

In other Lions news, today’s practice featured a couple of on the field scuffles.  So head coach Jim Schwartz decided to take matters into his own hands when he made the players run wind sprints.  Here is what safety Louis Delmas had to say on the matter.

“Coach Schwartz had to put his foot down,” said safety Louis Delmas. “The practice was getting out of hand and we had to run those gassers. We had to set the tone. It’s all for the better. We ran those gassers out of respect for him and he made us run ’em out of respect for each other.”

This has to be one of the best moves of the season so far for the Lions.  The head coach put down the law and made sure his team stayed focus.  That has to be an A+ for Schwartz so far on the young season. It will be fun to see if the attitude can last.