Sam Bradford and at least one teammate think Terrell Suggs was intentionally targeting the quarterback’s knees on a questionable hit in the first quarter of Saturday’s preseason game between the Eagles and Ravens.
Suggs drew a flag for roughing the passer after drilling Bradford, who handed off on a read-option play. Suggs hit Bradford after he had already handed off the ball, and he also hit the quarterback in his lower body (watch here).
Bradford, who has had multiple reconstructive surgeries on his knees, believes Suggs targeted his knees.
“I think that was what he was trying to do,” Bradford said via NJ.com’s Eliot Shorr-Parks. ” I was a little upset. I’m not sure I can repeat what I said to him.”
Eagles left tackle Jason Peters labeled Suggs “dirty” and believes the pass rusher had the move planned.
“It was a cheap shot at the quarterback,” Peters said. “I’m pretty sure he planned it. We practiced against them all week, and I’m pretty sure he was thinking about it.
“I think he is that kind of player — dirty, and takes shots at quarterbacks.”
There is no doubt that Suggs is a dirty player. Look no further than this hit for evidence. But was he dirty on this particular play? Suggs does not think so.
“I could have hit him harder,” Suggs said via Shorr-Parks, “but I eased up.”
Suggs also blamed the Eagles for putting their fragile quarterback in harm’s way.
“When you run the read-option, you got to know the rules,” Suggs said. “Now if you want to run a read-option with your starting quarterback that has two knee surgeries, that’s on you.”
Watching the play in real time, I had no issue with Suggs putting his head down and going after the guy who had the ball. He did go low, but I don’t think he targeted Bradford’s knees specifically. Still, after the reputation he’s built around the league for past cheap shots, Suggs is not about to get the benefit of the doubt.
Photo: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
