Ndamukong Suh named dirtiest player in NFL by peers

For the second consecutive year, Ndamukong Suh was voted the dirtiest player in the NFL in a Sporting News players poll, but I can't put my finger on the reason why.

The Detroit Lions defensive tackle was named on 32 of 103 ballots this year, a lower percentage of votes than he received in 2011 (31.1% to 32.4%). This is a surprise considering Suh's infamous Thanksgiving stomp hadn't happened at the time of last year's vote.

Evan Dietrich-Smith must not have received his ballot.

Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Incognito and St. Louis Rams cornerback Cortland Finnegan remained second and third in the poll, respectively.

In October, after Suh was accused of a dirty play on a legal takedown of Jay Cutler, Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham was asked why his star receives so much negative attention.

"Because his name's Ndamukong Suh," Cunningham said.