ALLEN PARK, Mich. » Finally, the Detroit Lions have a problem most teams wouldn’t mind.

Ndamukong Suh has emerged as one of the league’s top rookies, a powerful pass rusher on Detroit’s defensive line with the ability to disrupt any offense. The only question is whether Suh might actually be too aggressive — but the Lions aren’t about to tell him to change.

"That’s why he’s here," safety Louis Delmas said. "He got drafted with the second pick to do what he does, and he’s doing a good job at it. My hat’s down to everybody that’s been one of his victims, but he’s going to continue to do what he does best, and that’s tackle."

Suh’s list of "victims" is already growing. The 307-pounder out of Nebraska has eight sacks in his first 12 games and has already become a fan favorite at home. Although the Lions are in the middle of another losing season, the "Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh!" calls have become commonplace, perhaps the best sign yet that better days are ahead.

His career is still young, but Suh might be the most feared Detroit player since Barry Sanders — and for completely different reasons. Although he’s big, Suh is also unusually athletic and difficult to block, and he doesn’t slow down when closing in on a quarterback.

In a preseason game, Suh grabbed Jake Delhomme’s face mask, twisted it, wrapped his arms around the Cleveland quarterback’s head and slammed him to the ground. He was fined for that play, then fined again for a hit from behind on Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler last weekend.

Detroit coach Jim Schwartz didn’t even think a penalty should have been called for the second play. Suh says he’ll appeal the fine, and he doesn’t seem too bothered by it.

"I owe it to my teammates and the fans that watch," Suh said. "That’s what they come out there to support — to see players play hard."

Schwartz was ready to move on from the play yesterday, but he couldn’t think of anything his defensive lineman should have done differently when knocking Cutler down.

"I don’t know what to tell him right there," Schwartz said. "The quarterback wasn’t going down. He was a runner. He was trying to score a touchdown."

Although he’s been disciplined by the league a couple of times, Suh’s almost effortless ability to push offensive players around is a major asset. Detroit is tied for eighth in the NFL with 32 sacks, over half of them by the defensive line trio of Suh, Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch.

The wins are still hard to come by, but Detroit is having some success with high draft picks. The Lions selected Calvin Johnson second overall in 2007, then took quarterback Matthew Stafford with the top pick in 2009.

In addition to his sacks, Suh also returned a fumble for a touchdown to seal a win over Washington. He even tried kicking during a game last month — although he missed his extra-point attempt after Jason Hanson went down with an injury.

At one point, Schwartz pointed out that defensive tackles don’t often have high sack totals, and that Suh’s impressive numbers might not be sustainable.

So Suh may be overachieving a bit. That hasn’t happened often in Detroit recently.

"Ndamukong Suh is the least of our worries," Schwartz said.

Vick leads Pro Bowl voting

Michael Vick leads Pro Bowl voting a year and a half after he was released from prison.

The league said yesterday the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback had 729,838 fan votes, 38,692 more than second-place Peyton Manning. Manning topped the balloting two weeks ago before being surpassed by Vick.

It’s the latest evidence many fans seem willing to forgive Vick for the vicious dogfighting operation that sent him to prison for 18 months. A backup to start the season, Vick has led the Eagles to first place in the NFC East, accounting for 21 touchdowns and throwing just two interceptions.

Colts might put Sanders on IR

Colts safety Bob Sanders apparently will not play again this season.

Team owner Jim Irsay has posted a comment on Twitter saying the team intends to place Sanders on injured reserve, which would end his season. Sanders tore the biceps muscle in his right arm during the first quarter of the season-opener.

In the tweet, Irsay said the Colts "need the roster spot with so many injuries." Sanders would join 14 other Colts on injured reserve.

Lions DL will have neck surgery

Detroit defensive lineman Kyle Vanden Bosch will go on injured reserve because of a bulging disk in his neck.

Vanden Bosch hasn’t officially been added to the injured list, but coach Jim Schwartz said yesterday he was having neck surgery. Detroit has put cornerback Alphonso Smith on IR because of a shoulder injury.

Vanden Bosch missed last weekend’s game against Chicago because of his injury.