Make no mistake about it. Ndamukong Suh's latest fine was another message being sent to him from the NFL.
Merton Hanks admits it.
Hanks, the league's vice president of operations, explained the $31,500 fine for Suh's hit last Sunday on Cleveland quarterback Brandon Weeden during an interview with the NFL Network.
"The fine amount is more than the minimum because he is a repeat offender, and I wanted to get Ndamukong Suh's attention in this regard," said Hanks, a former NFL player. "I've got to help him course-correct."
Suh wasn't penalized on the play, but Hanks determined that the Lions' often-disciplined defensive tackle led with his helmet to Weeden's body.
What's interesting is that Cleveland linebacker Quentin Groves made a similar hit on Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford in the same game. Groves was called for a penalty, but he didn't get fined by the league.
It's a perfect example of the league's controversial and inconsistent system for handing out fines these days in an effort to improve player safety.
EXTRA POINT
The Lions announced Saturday that receiver Jeremy Ross has been elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. The club also released tight end Dorin Dickerson, who was signed earlier in the week.
Ross (6-foot, 215 pounds) started the season in the NFL but he got released by the Green Bay Packers after a couple of special-teams mistakes. Ross is 25 years old and played in college at California.
