Gildenregeln » off an end zone can be a huge factor in

DETROIT -- Ndamukong Suhs latest controversial play drew a hefty fine. Troy Terry Jersey . The Detroit defensive tackle was docked $100,000 by the NFL for his illegal low block on Minnesota centre John Sullivan in the Lions season-opening victory Sunday. Suh hit Sullivan during an interception return by Detroit linebacker DeAndre Levy, and the penalty negated what would have been a touchdown. NFL spokesman Randall Liu said Tuesday that vice-president of football operations Merton Hanks notified Suh of the fine. Suh was not in the locker room at Detroits practice facility when it was open to reporters Tuesday. A text message was sent to him seeking comment. Suh said Sunday he wasnt going after Sullivans knees, adding that the two had discussed the play at halftime. Detroit players said Suh apologized to the team Tuesday. "He just basically said that he cant make those types of mistakes -- he cant put us in a position where weve got to battle back from mistakes like that," wide receiver Nate Burleson said. "He also said, with him having a target, and people looking for him, theyre looking at us in the same light. So as a team weve got to understand that the microscope is on us." Its 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. The NFL fined Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison $75,000 for a 2010 hit on Cleveland wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, although that was later reduced to $50,000. Like Harrison, Suh has a history of fines. The NFL fined Suh $30,000 last year for unnecessary roughness when he kicked Houston quarterback Matt Schaub in the groin area. He was suspended two games in 2011 after stomping on Green Bays Evan Dietrich-Smith. Burleson was taken aback when told of Suhs fine. "Oh, baby! For real? Are you serious? A hundred stacks?" Burleson said. "Thats one of the biggest Ive 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 youre going to have to deal with the consequences. So its tough. I hope he appeals it, because I dont think that was worthy of being fined $100,000." Suh has also been fined in previous seasons for roughing up quarterbacks Andy Dalton, Jay Cutler and Jake Delhomme. "He plays with such aggression," Lions centre Dominic Raiola said. "He really plays hard, and plays to the whistle every play." When asked what he would think if a player with a track record rolled up on his knees and was fined $100,000, Raiola was unsure. "I dont know if he really went down," Raiola said. "I think he kind of hit him on the hip and fell. ... Thats out of my hands." Suh was named a defensive captain for the Lions this season, and theyre hoping his fourth year as a pro will be a productive one. Raiola said Suhs talk with the team Tuesday was a good step. "Thats all part of his leadership role this year," Raiola said. "We respect that, and Im just glad were not losing him for any games." Adam Oates Jersey . Niese pitched seven steady innings on a rainy Tuesday night and Daniel Murphy had three hits to lead New York to a 6-1 victory over the Phillies. Sam Steel Jersey . The Brad Jacobs team from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., advanced to Fridays championship game with a 10-6 win over Chinas Rui Liu in the semifinal. https://www.cheapducks.com/987c-josh-mahura-jersey-ducks.html . PETERSBURG, Fla.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca. Hey Kerry, Can you clarify something for me please? On every draw taken by Jonathan Toews, Ive noticed that as soon as the first stick touches the ice (his own on the road and the opponents at home) he simultaneously turns his body and moves his left foot forward, positioning it in front of his opponents right foot immediately before the puck is dropped. This allows him to basically block out the opposing player before the puck is even dropped. How is this not considered to be encroaching (or jumping early) on the faceoff? To me, hes basically being allowed an advantage by getting a head start so to speak on the draw. Keep it up Mr. Fraser! Kyle ShermanWestlake Village, CA Kyle: I did not take your claim lightly that Jonathan Toews cheats on every faceoff, so I examined consecutive faceoffs in an objective manner that the Hawks captain was involved in during the first period of Wednesday nights game. You might be surprised to learn (which I wasnt at all) that the centres from both teams were cheating every chance they could get and as much as the linesmen allowed! There was considerable stick movement regardless of which player placed his stick on the ice first (especially from Jarret Stoll who utilizes a quick stick tap up and down to be in motion when the linesman releases the puck). So put your stick down and your skates squared up on each side of the lines Kyle because this is what transpired: 1) Opening faceoff: Toews set up with open stance to the right before the referee Marc Joannette moved into position to drop the puck. Toews won the opening faceoff cleanly over Anze Kopitar and the Hawks puck possession and attack led to Drew Doughty being called for tripping Toews. 2) As a result of the Kings penalty, Toews took the draw to the right side of Jonathan Quick. From this location, the Hawks captain wanted to draw the puck back to his left. Both Toews and Stoll line up with their feet square on each side of the markings. Toews puts his stick on the ice first butt then picks it up as Stoll comes down with an effort to time the drop. Josh Manson Jersey. The linesman puts the puck in and both centres tie up but Toews wins the puck back from the scrum. This puck possession results in a Hawk power play goal by Brent Seabrook. 3) Toews set up square for a Hawks attacking zone left side draw back. Stoll demonstrates a dramatic set to the right with his skates. Jonathan Toews wins the draw cleanly back for another Hawks attacking zone puck possession. 4) Toews lost a neutral zone faceoff as he set up square while Anze Kopitar was twisted to the right. Kopitar won the draw to the sidewall and created a Kings entry into the Hawks zone (First commercial timeout then resulted). 5) Centre ice faceoff following Jarret Stoll goal which saw both Jonathan Toews and Anze Kopitar dramatically twisted as they lined up. Both players moved to gain the benefit of a timed drop. Toews was faster and more dramatic but Kopitar won the draw back and Kings controlled. 6) With 7:10 remaining in the period and a Hawks end zone left side faceoff, Jarret Stoll places his stick on the ice first and does a stick tap up and down to gain momentum as Toews comes down and then up with his stick. Both players attempted to gain the benefit of this timed drop but Stoll was clearly twisted to his right with movement and won the draw back as the Kings controlled the puck in their attacking zone. The linesman fell to the ice and was likely fined a "six-pack." Play went end to end until Marian Gaborik scored on a terrific pass from Anze Kopitar. I think you get the picture by now Kyle. Jonathan Toews is not the only centre thats rotating his left skate in advance of the puck drop; there is cheating on both sides of the faceoff circle! What you have highlighted Kyle is the need for the linesmen to be more diligent in squaring the centres as they get set to drop the puck and not allow a player to swing or move his stick to gain the benefit of a "timed drop". Puck possession off an end zone can be a huge factor in the outcome of a game. Thank you for pointing this out! ' ' '