Texans quarterback Matt Schaub said Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh wasn’t “Houston Texan-worthy” after his Thanksgiving Day kick to the crotch (which, if you think about it, might preclude Schaub from being sponge-worthy).
But one of Suh’s biggest defenders didn’t take kindly to Schaub taking shots at his guy.
“What is a Texan, anyhow?” Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham began, via Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press.
“You never make derogatory statements about another player and another team,” Cunningham said. “If you say that, then say it behind closed doors and keep it that way. But you don’t come out in the paper and start saying things like that.
“And, you know, I’m sure Matt’s a great guy and he got caught up in the emotions. And I’ll forgive him for it — this time.”
Suh’s background as a turkey day stomper (which is worse than a jive turkey gobbler) doesn’t help his cause, but Cunningham insisted it wasn’t a deliberate kick and was eager to defend his defensive tackle.
“Any time you want me to,” he said. “I will forever. There’s no discussion on this defense. Shoot, who was it, [defense attorney] Melvin Belli? I’m not as good as him, but I’m pretty good at defending him.
“I saw the play. I agree whoever said it on national TV that he has to have eyes in the back of his head. That’s the first thing I said. I thought I was ridiculous. I’m so tired of having to say things like that, but it’s true.
“I coach football for living, I’ve done it for a long time. All kinds of things happen. He was trying to make a play and nobody talks about the guard talking him on the way to the quarterback. We get no call; they get a call — or he gets a fine, whatever it was.”
While it’s hard for the Lions to play the persecution card, Suh has become an easy target, and even innocuous acts are going to get a closer look because of his track record.