Ndamukong Suh is one of the NFL’s most notorious cheap shot artists. Mac Jones, meanwhile, grabbed a defensive player’s ankle. Yet, one sports columnist is equating the two.
Tom Brady may no longer be under center, but the Patriots’ success still seemingly drives some members of the national media crazy.
Yahoo’s Frank Schwab tsk-tsked Jones for grabbing Brian Burns’ ankle Sunday, lamenting the likelihood that Jones won’t face serious discipline. “Mac Jones was trying to hurt an opponent,” Schwab cried.
Jones’ controversial grab took place at the end of the first quarter after Burns had rocked him and forced the football loose. Still on the ground, Jones grabbed Burns’ ankle to prevent him from running towards the ball. No flag was thrown, and the play was seldom mentioned.
Until Panthers linebacker Haason Riddick called out Jones for a “completely dirty” play. NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported Monday the league will review the sequence as “part of its normal process,” but Jones only faces a “possible fine.”
That’s not enough for Schwab. Suh was suspended two games when he stopped on that guy’s head, don’t you remember? Jones must be treated similarly. He twisted a guy’s ankle during a football game!
“The play looks as dirty as anything Ndamukong Suh ever did to get suspended by the NFL,” Schwab writes. “Jones, on the ground after he was sacked and fumbled, reached out and grabbed the ankle of Burns, the Panthers' pass rusher following the play. Then Jones turned the ankle in a malicious way.”
Well, there it is: if only Jones had turned Burns’ ankle in a playful or fun-loving manner. Then we wouldn’t be having this discussion. But he just had to be malicious. Football brings out the worst in people.
On Merloni and Fauria, Jones said he thought Burns had the ball. Keep in mind, the rookie QB got destroyed on the play. Burns speared him to the ground. It was a vicious, legal hit.
That’s why it’s hyperbolic to wail over Jones grabbing Burns’ ankle. Yes, Jones is probably deserving of a fine. But football is violent, and besides, Suh did things like kick Matt Schaub in the groin and step on Aaron Rodgers’ calf early in his career. The vicious lineman was flagged for nine personal fouls in his first two years alone!
Jones’ babyface hasn’t even been penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct yet. Let’s at least start there before we start comparing him to Suh.
Thanks to MacFarlane Energy, your Mitsubishi Diamond Elite contractor, where they can very affordably heat your three-season room with a Mitsubishi ductless hyper heat unit. Please visit MacFarlaneEnergy.com.
