Report: Andre will NOT be suspended (1 Viewer)

[mad sweeney]

AJ had a primetime slot Thurs, NFL wants him out there, and they are 1 game out of first

Goodell may be the Hammer but he's smart too

Seymour or AJ = big names = no suspension

these nameless DBs hitting people hard = suspend them now!!

it is what it is

Don't let the bitterness cloud your judgment. This would have been the correct decision had the Texans been slated for a 1pm Sunday game, as well.Your guy invited the beatdown. The NFL understands this.

Yes, the classic 'he started it!' defense.

Seems pretty relevant, actually.

How? They ejected both guys, meaning both of them did something wrong, no?And how did Finnegen start the physical altercation? And did that constitute getting hit in the head, while on your knees, not defending yourself?

He jammed Andre's facemask. He ripped AJ's helmet off first after throwing the first punch. You throw a punch, you're in a fight and if you choose not to defend yourself you don't get to be called defenseless. Don't want to fight? Don't throw a punch.

 

[Lobary]

You "fines mean nothing" guys really crack me up. Money is money. Some may not mind burning a little, but nobody likes paying a fine.

Exactly. I know several professional athletes and all of them are pissed whenever they have to pay any team/league fines. $50,000 is $50,000. Regardless of how much money you make there are other things you want to do with that money instead of just giving it away.

For those of you getting hung up on the message, a suspension for Johnson would've let Finnegan know that he could continue goading opposing players into trouble if he was crafty enough about it. Not the kind of game that the NFL wants to see on the field, I'd imagine.

Exactamente.The "think of the children/it sends a message" crowd can kindly stuff it. AJ whipped a deserving bully for all the world to see, but you are giving this incident greater importance than it really has if you think it will instruct anyone --kids or NFL players-- how to behave. This was entertaining, sure, and great fun was had at Finnegan's expense, but please don't make a bigger deal about it than it really is. A guy got punched in an NFL game....whoopty freakin doo.

Truth.I have worked in youth development in various capacities for over 10 years. A fist fight between two grown men during an emotional/physical game is not a big deal. If anything, it's a great teaching moment for adults/parents. When somebody pulls out a weapon, let me know. Until then....whoopty freakin doo.

yeah it's only a felony that could get you locked up in prison for awhile...no big deal

Bwahahaha. A simple fistfight between grown men on an NFL field in the heat of battle is not a felony. And if it is, what do you call "BOXING?"

 

[David Yudkin]

For those saying that fines are a big dent in player's pocketbooks, consider this.

Richard Seymour is getting paid $12.4 million to play this year. He was fined $25,000. Since he was only ejected and not suspended, I do not believe he will be docked a game check. Total loss: 0.2% of his 2010 football income.

Andre Johnson was also fined $25,000. Between his 2010 salary and a pro-rated share of his signing bonus, he will make $14 million for playing this year. Total loss: 0.17% of his football income for the year.

By comparison, BenJarvus Green-Ellis was fined $15,000 for what was deemed an illegal chop block (when it looked like BJGE fell down and still tried to block someone). He only is getting paid $477,000 to play this year. So that amounts to 3.14% of his salary on basically an accident . . . which represents 18 times what Johnson got hit with comparitvely speaking (based on percentage of annual income).

Unless they start adjusting fines based on a player's actual income, these fines are curious at best.

 

[Lobary]

$25,000 each per Bloomberg. Yes, it showed up on my terminal. Guess the Euro crisis isn't exciting enough.

OH NOESSSS THINK OF THE CHILDRENS

 

[mad sweeney]

This is how he started it. Please try paying attention, it's been posted elsewhere and is pretty obvious if you've watched the clip from the snap of the ball.

You misunderstood my point. Rhetorical questions are not posed to be answered. What did Finnegan do to warrant getting beaten up? By asking that, I am not actually asking what occurred. I am making a point. Get it?

Rhetorical or not, he threw a punch. Therefore he's in a fight. If you throw a punch and thus enter a fight, then unless you win the fight you started, you deserve to get beat up. Rhetorical questions are supposed to make a point, yours isn't.

 

[Abrantes]

For those of you getting hung up on the message, a suspension for Johnson would've let Finnegan know that he could continue goading opposing players into trouble if he was crafty enough about it. Not the kind of game that the NFL wants to see on the field, I'd imagine.

Wait. You mean that they would send a message to Finnegan that THEY would police him and his actions, and not allow other players to? I don't think that is a negative thing at all.

Where did I say any of that?

 

[hooter311]

yeah it's only a felony that could get you locked up in prison for awhile...no big deal

No, it's not.

 

[Liquid Tension]

For those saying that fines are a big dent in player's pocketbooks, consider this.Richard Seymour is getting paid $12.4 million to play this year. He was fined $25,000. Since he was only ejected and not suspended, I do not believe he will be docked a game check. Total loss: 0.2% of his 2010 football income.Andre Johnson was also fined $25,000. Between his 2010 salary and a pro-rated share of his signing bonus, he will make $14 million for playing this year. Total loss: 0.17% of his football income for the year.By comparison, BenJarvus Green-Ellis was fined $15,000 for what was deemed an illegal chop block (when it looked like BJGE fell down and still tried to block someone). He only is getting paid $477,000 to play this year. So that amounts to 3.14% of his salary on basically an accident . . . which represents 18 times what Johnson got hit with comparitvely speaking (based on percentage of annual income).Unless they start adjusting fines based on a player's actual income, these fines are curious at best.

and this is why suspending a guy and thus losing a games paycheck makes it more in line. I agree that Finnegan is an instigator and I agree AJ has been mostly a boyscout, but they were each getting chippy before this situation and AJ totally lost his mind and was winging hay makers at a helmet-less guy. If you are swinging punches like that then you should be suspended...PERIOD! There is no excuse for that. As for Finnegan, i would watch the tape and if he kept starting everything then he could get suspended as well, but there is zero question that AJ deserved being suspended because what he did was against everything the league wants.

 

[todisco1]

For those saying that fines are a big dent in player's pocketbooks, consider this.Richard Seymour is getting paid $12.4 million to play this year. He was fined $25,000. Since he was only ejected and not suspended, I do not believe he will be docked a game check. Total loss: 0.2% of his 2010 football income.Andre Johnson was also fined $25,000. Between his 2010 salary and a pro-rated share of his signing bonus, he will make $14 million for playing this year. Total loss: 0.17% of his football income for the year.By comparison, BenJarvus Green-Ellis was fined $15,000 for what was deemed an illegal chop block (when it looked like BJGE fell down and still tried to block someone). He only is getting paid $477,000 to play this year. So that amounts to 3.14% of his salary on basically an accident . . . which represents 18 times what Johnson got hit with comparitvely speaking (based on percentage of annual income).Unless they start adjusting fines based on a player's actual income, these fines are curious at best.

25k is what Ocho was fined for tweeting on the sideline. Ocho was fined 30k, or 5k more than AJ was fined, for wearing a sombrero after scoring a TD. So wearing a sombrero draws a harsher penalty than beating someone about the head.

 

[Liquid Tension]

For those saying that fines are a big dent in player's pocketbooks, consider this.Richard Seymour is getting paid $12.4 million to play this year. He was fined $25,000. Since he was only ejected and not suspended, I do not believe he will be docked a game check. Total loss: 0.2% of his 2010 football income.Andre Johnson was also fined $25,000. Between his 2010 salary and a pro-rated share of his signing bonus, he will make $14 million for playing this year. Total loss: 0.17% of his football income for the year.By comparison, BenJarvus Green-Ellis was fined $15,000 for what was deemed an illegal chop block (when it looked like BJGE fell down and still tried to block someone). He only is getting paid $477,000 to play this year. So that amounts to 3.14% of his salary on basically an accident . . . which represents 18 times what Johnson got hit with comparitvely speaking (based on percentage of annual income).Unless they start adjusting fines based on a player's actual income, these fines are curious at best.

25k is what Ocho was fined for tweeting on the sideline. Ocho was fined 30k, or 5k more than AJ was fined, for wearing a sombrero after scoring a TD. So wearing a sombrero draws a harsher penalty than beating someone about the head.

Exactly

 

[hooter311]

For those saying that fines are a big dent in player's pocketbooks, consider this.Richard Seymour is getting paid $12.4 million to play this year. He was fined $25,000. Since he was only ejected and not suspended, I do not believe he will be docked a game check. Total loss: 0.2% of his 2010 football income.Andre Johnson was also fined $25,000. Between his 2010 salary and a pro-rated share of his signing bonus, he will make $14 million for playing this year. Total loss: 0.17% of his football income for the year.By comparison, BenJarvus Green-Ellis was fined $15,000 for what was deemed an illegal chop block (when it looked like BJGE fell down and still tried to block someone). He only is getting paid $477,000 to play this year. So that amounts to 3.14% of his salary on basically an accident . . . which represents 18 times what Johnson got hit with comparitvely speaking (based on percentage of annual income).Unless they start adjusting fines based on a player's actual income, these fines are curious at best.

Are traffic tickets based on your income level? This is America, you shouldn't be punished more because you earn more.

 

[VaTerp]

You "fines mean nothing" guys really crack me up. Money is money. Some may not mind burning a little, but nobody likes paying a fine.

Exactly. I know several professional athletes and all of them are pissed whenever they have to pay any team/league fines. $50,000 is $50,000. Regardless of how much money you make there are other things you want to do with that money instead of just giving it away.

For those of you getting hung up on the message, a suspension for Johnson would've let Finnegan know that he could continue goading opposing players into trouble if he was crafty enough about it. Not the kind of game that the NFL wants to see on the field, I'd imagine.

Exactamente.The "think of the children/it sends a message" crowd can kindly stuff it. AJ whipped a deserving bully for all the world to see, but you are giving this incident greater importance than it really has if you think it will instruct anyone --kids or NFL players-- how to behave. This was entertaining, sure, and great fun was had at Finnegan's expense, but please don't make a bigger deal about it than it really is. A guy got punched in an NFL game....whoopty freakin doo.

Truth.I have worked in youth development in various capacities for over 10 years. A fist fight between two grown men during an emotional/physical game is not a big deal. If anything, it's a great teaching moment for adults/parents. When somebody pulls out a weapon, let me know. Until then....whoopty freakin doo.

yeah it's only a felony that could get you locked up in prison for awhile...no big deal

What's a felony?It was a fight. Happens all the time and the VAST majority of the time it's not a felony and doesnt get you locked up in prison for any period of time.

 

[butcher boy]

For those saying that fines are a big dent in player's pocketbooks, consider this.Richard Seymour is getting paid $12.4 million to play this year. He was fined $25,000. Since he was only ejected and not suspended, I do not believe he will be docked a game check. Total loss: 0.2% of his 2010 football income.Andre Johnson was also fined $25,000. Between his 2010 salary and a pro-rated share of his signing bonus, he will make $14 million for playing this year. Total loss: 0.17% of his football income for the year.By comparison, BenJarvus Green-Ellis was fined $15,000 for what was deemed an illegal chop block (when it looked like BJGE fell down and still tried to block someone). He only is getting paid $477,000 to play this year. So that amounts to 3.14% of his salary on basically an accident . . . which represents 18 times what Johnson got hit with comparitvely speaking (based on percentage of annual income).Unless they start adjusting fines based on a player's actual income, these fines are curious at best.

Are traffic tickets based on your income level? This is America, you shouldn't be punished more because you earn more.

Apples and oranges.

 

[captain_amazing]

For those saying that fines are a big dent in player's pocketbooks, consider this.

Richard Seymour is getting paid $12.4 million to play this year. He was fined $25,000. Since he was only ejected and not suspended, I do not believe he will be docked a game check. Total loss: 0.2% of his 2010 football income.

Andre Johnson was also fined $25,000. Between his 2010 salary and a pro-rated share of his signing bonus, he will make $14 million for playing this year. Total loss: 0.17% of his football income for the year.

By comparison, BenJarvus Green-Ellis was fined $15,000 for what was deemed an illegal chop block (when it looked like BJGE fell down and still tried to block someone). He only is getting paid $477,000 to play this year. So that amounts to 3.14% of his salary on basically an accident . . . which represents 18 times what Johnson got hit with comparitvely speaking (based on percentage of annual income).

Unless they start adjusting fines based on a player's actual income, these fines are curious at best.

Are traffic tickets based on your income level? This is America, you shouldn't be punished more because you earn more.

....says former President George W. Bush. Thanks for that post, Yudkin. Very interesting. NFL really needs to take a look at their system and process of fining if they want to keep guys from dropping the gauntlets.

 

[David Yudkin]

Thanks for that post, Yudkin. Very interesting. NFL really needs to take a look at their system and process of fining if they want to keep guys from dropping the gauntlets.

They were talking about the Green Ellis fine on the radio. He got paid $29K for the game and had to give $15K of it back for the fine. As mentioned earlier, he fell down and still tried to block a pass rusher. He couldn't even see what else was happening. He didn't know someone else also was also trying to block a blitzer and had the defender "engaged", so when BLGE hit him it was ruled an illegal chop block. Green Ellis is the farthest thing from a dirty player in the league and he was only trying to save Brady from getting decked.Yet guys like Seymour and Johnson intentionally got into physical altercations that pretty much had nothing at all to do with the play as it was happening and took place out of spite after the play was already over.I suspect one of these days someone will get severely hurt and have to go on IR or hang up their cleats permanently from something like this and then the league will be forced to do something more Draconian. Getting embroiled in a major lawsuit would probably serve to stir the pot . . .

 

[Sam Quentin]

It looked like, on the previous play he ripped Finnegan's helmet off and there was no call.

I'd suspend the refs for a game too.

 

[bbuster]

Ridiculous that he wasn't suspended. NFL Players are supposed to be role models for kids, and what exactly does this message send out? Some day, in the far, far future, Andre will realize that his antics, though sometimes entertaining, are a yawning abyss of revanchism.

Actually, Johnson's action have been pretty consistent with what many if not most parents teach kids:1) Do your best to rise above this guy.2) Warn the guy that I am tired of the BS3) At some point, especially if the authority is not doing anything about the problem, you may have to resort to fighting/violence or may simply lose your temper.4) apologize and take responsibility that you should not have been fighting5) Let authority figure out the right/wrong and accept the punishment.

I would not teach my kids to hit a guy in the head, especially on the football field. On the football field you ignore the other players' taunts and focus your energies on playing the game.

Taunts? Come on man! If what CF was doing was only taunting I might agree, but it was much more than that.For some reason it seems to me that refs allow a lot more #### from small defenders on large WR's. It's similar to Favre taking all those shots(not all legal) in the NFC championship last year. Favre always gets up, so it seems the refs ignore the obvious, but when Brady gets touched and cries to the officials, he always gets the flag. There has to be more consistency. If the refs had better(more consistent) control over the game, these things would be less likely to happen.

 

[username]

our league gives 2.5 fpts for each clean punch to the face.

 

[Dragon1952]

As for the children angle, give me a break. Children watch way more violent stuff than that in the news, video games, movies, cartoons, this ultimate fighting garbage and it happens in nearly every hockey game. I'm pretty sure kids watch hockey. I'm sure if they see it again in 1% of NFL games it isn't going to add to their already damaged psyches.

As for the message the decision sends to other players, maybe it sends the message that you can't go out of your way (and that's putting it nicely as far as Finnegan's actions were concerned) to provoke your opponent's best player into throwing a punch and getting suspended when there's a tight divisional race and playoff spots involved. By watching Finnegan's reaction after Johnson's ejection, it appears like he got exactly what he was fishing for.

 

[Sundog]

The NFL made the right call, and I don't believe it was because of the Thursday night game. The fight was just a fight -- eject'em, fine'em and move on.

 

[massraider]

As for the children angle, give me a break. Children watch way more violent stuff than that in the news, video games, movies, cartoons, this ultimate fighting garbage and it happens in nearly every hockey game. I'm pretty sure kids watch hockey. I'm sure if they see it again in 1% of NFL games it isn't going to add to their already damaged psyches.

Great freakin post.

 

[JuniorNB]

Finnegan's well known as an irritating, cheap shot artist who tries all game long to get under players' skin. He finally made it. I wonder how he feels now. The entire league watched him get thrown around like a rag doll anmd pummeled. It was the best thing I've seen on the football field all season.

 

[Badgers Fan]

I'm hoping Goodell hates finnegan and offered Andre for 25K more he could finish Finnegan off when they play next (in a few weeks). On a negative note, Philly does a pretty good job vs number 1 receivers and Asante should be back. Will be a challenge, but it's Andre Johnson and he's probably still pissed off, I'm not removing him from my top 5 wr ranks for the week

 

[K8!]

our league gives 2.5 fpts for each clean punch to the face.

One of those blows was to his ear. I hope your league defines face so as not to include the ear behind his line of peripheral vision, otherwise you should just say head or skull and mandible area. Your loose definition is definately going to cause problems.

 

[ThePittbully]

I think Steve Johnson got fined more for writing on his undershirt, this is ridiculous. They should have both been suspended or fined at least as much as you get for helmet to helmet

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

Looks like the NFL finally used some common ssense when making a ruling. Kudos.

Though, I think they get a lot more correct than they get credit for.

 

[mad sweeney]

I think Steve Johnson got fined more for writing on his undershirt, this is ridiculous. They should have both been suspended or fined at least as much as you get for helmet to helmet

People have been getting fined 25K for HTH hits since that big hth weekend. Harrison was fined 50K for two in one game.

 

[TLEF316]

its the right call, but I'm sure the Texans being in prime time next week was a contributing factor.

Finnegan is a bush league coward who picked a fight he couldn't win. You shove a guy in the face/neck with 2 hands like that, you can't go to ground and cry "mercy" when a beast like AJ rightfully retaliates.

Not saying fighting should be tolerated. It's not good for the league, and AJ should be punished. But if you're gonna punish AJ for fighting, do it for the right reasons. Don't punish him because Finnegan went into the fetal position.

And if the rumblings about Finnegan telling the Texans sideline that it was coming are true, he is the one that should serve a nice fat suspension. He's an instigator and a punk. You can't send the message that no-talent hacks like

Finnegan can goat star players into confrontations for long term benefit (an AJ suspension) or his own sick amusement.

 

[RudeDog]

Thanks for that post, Yudkin. Very interesting. NFL really needs to take a look at their system and process of fining if they want to keep guys from dropping the gauntlets.

They were talking about the Green Ellis fine on the radio. He got paid $29K for the game and had to give $15K of it back for the fine. As mentioned earlier, he fell down and still tried to block a pass rusher. He couldn't even see what else was happening. He didn't know someone else also was also trying to block a blitzer and had the defender "engaged", so when BLGE hit him it was ruled an illegal chop block. Green Ellis is the farthest thing from a dirty player in the league and he was only trying to save Brady from getting decked.Yet guys like Seymour and Johnson intentionally got into physical altercations that pretty much had nothing at all to do with the play as it was happening and took place out of spite after the play was already over.

I suspect one of these days someone will get severely hurt and have to go on IR or hang up their cleats permanently from something like this and then the league will be forced to do something more Draconian. Getting embroiled in a major lawsuit would probably serve to stir the pot . . .

Interesting David. Considering the fact that things like this are common occurance in hockey I don't see this happening though. This is similar to the HTH discussions earlier. I think everyone in the game accepts things like this. Andre was awarded the game ball by his coach. If anything the repeat offenders should be punished more severely. Finnigan is a goon and the entire league knows this.

 

[David Yudkin]

Thanks for that post, Yudkin. Very interesting. NFL really needs to take a look at their system and process of fining if they want to keep guys from dropping the gauntlets.

They were talking about the Green Ellis fine on the radio. He got paid $29K for the game and had to give $15K of it back for the fine. As mentioned earlier, he fell down and still tried to block a pass rusher. He couldn't even see what else was happening. He didn't know someone else also was also trying to block a blitzer and had the defender "engaged", so when BLGE hit him it was ruled an illegal chop block. Green Ellis is the farthest thing from a dirty player in the league and he was only trying to save Brady from getting decked.Yet guys like Seymour and Johnson intentionally got into physical altercations that pretty much had nothing at all to do with the play as it was happening and took place out of spite after the play was already over.

I suspect one of these days someone will get severely hurt and have to go on IR or hang up their cleats permanently from something like this and then the league will be forced to do something more Draconian. Getting embroiled in a major lawsuit would probably serve to stir the pot . . .

Interesting David. Considering the fact that things like this are common occurance in hockey I don't see this happening though. This is similar to the HTH discussions earlier. I think everyone in the game accepts things like this. Andre was awarded the game ball by his coach. If anything the repeat offenders should be punished more severely. Finnigan is a goon and the entire league knows this.

Hockey has suspended players for the remainder of the season in the past, which IIRC was like 30 games. But hockey players are smaller than some of the NFL's monsters, and if for some reason a big goon of a lineman wanted to take it out on a smaller defensive back that took a cheap shot at a QB, who knows what could happen. Didn't Albert Haynesworth stomp several times on one of the Cowboys a few years back?I don't so much have an issue with or care how the league wants to police itself or impose penalties as long as they are consistent. But when guys get involved in brawls and getted fined less than or on par with things that happen during plays that were not necessarily intentional or malevolent, IMO there is a problem.

 

[Dragon1952]

Thanks for that post, Yudkin. Very interesting. NFL really needs to take a look at their system and process of fining if they want to keep guys from dropping the gauntlets.

They were talking about the Green Ellis fine on the radio. He got paid $29K for the game and had to give $15K of it back for the fine. As mentioned earlier, he fell down and still tried to block a pass rusher. He couldn't even see what else was happening. He didn't know someone else also was also trying to block a blitzer and had the defender "engaged", so when BLGE hit him it was ruled an illegal chop block. Green Ellis is the farthest thing from a dirty player in the league and he was only trying to save Brady from getting decked.Yet guys like Seymour and Johnson intentionally got into physical altercations that pretty much had nothing at all to do with the play as it was happening and took place out of spite after the play was already over.

I suspect one of these days someone will get severely hurt and have to go on IR or hang up their cleats permanently from something like this and then the league will be forced to do something more Draconian. Getting embroiled in a major lawsuit would probably serve to stir the pot . . .

Interesting David. Considering the fact that things like this are common occurance in hockey I don't see this happening though. This is similar to the HTH discussions earlier. I think everyone in the game accepts things like this. Andre was awarded the game ball by his coach. If anything the repeat offenders should be punished more severely. Finnigan is a goon and the entire league knows this.

Hockey has suspended players for the remainder of the season in the past, which IIRC was like 30 games. But hockey players are smaller than some of the NFL's monsters, and if for some reason a big goon of a lineman wanted to take it out on a smaller defensive back that took a cheap shot at a QB, who knows what could happen. Didn't Albert Haynesworth stomp several times on one of the Cowboys a few years back?I don't so much have an issue with or care how the league wants to police itself or impose penalties as long as they are consistent. But when guys get involved in brawls and getted fined less than or on par with things that happen during plays that were not necessarily intentional or malevolent, IMO there is a problem.

I think it's called "mitigating circumstances" which obviously were taken into consideration in this case, and rightfully so.

 

[Choke]

I think Steve Johnson got fined more for writing on his undershirt, this is ridiculous. They should have both been suspended or fined at least as much as you get for helmet to helmet

People have been getting fined 25K for HTH hits since that big hth weekend. Harrison was fined 50K for two in one game.

No. That is wrong. (and it keeps getting repeated wrong in the media because nobody* is correcting them.)The NFL stated the hit on Cribbs was perfectly fine and legal. A runner with the ball is allowed to be hit h-t-h.

The hit on Mohamed Massaquoi was deemed worthy of a 75,000 fine.

Actually greg rosenthall at roto/nbc reported it correct. 75k for hitting Mass and 20k for literally pushing Brees.

 

[mad sweeney]

I think Steve Johnson got fined more for writing on his undershirt, this is ridiculous. They should have both been suspended or fined at least as much as you get for helmet to helmet

People have been getting fined 25K for HTH hits since that big hth weekend. Harrison was fined 50K for two in one game.

No. That is wrong. (and it keeps getting repeated wrong in the media because nobody* is correcting them.)The NFL stated the hit on Cribbs was perfectly fine and legal. A runner with the ball is allowed to be hit h-t-h.

The hit on Mohamed Massaquoi was deemed worthy of a 75,000 fine.

Actually greg rosenthall at roto/nbc reported it correct. 75k for hitting Mass and 20k for literally pushing Brees.

Link? I was quite psoitive that Harrison's fines that week were for more than one hit. He didn't get fined for pushing Brees, he got fined for pushing Brees after he tomahawk chopped Brees, both well after the ball was thrown. Let's not downplay his stupid move here. It wasn't a 'heat of battle' thing, it was blatantly late and unnecessary. He was also fined a lot because he's a repeat offender of late and illegal hits.

Merriweather got 25K and someone else drew the same amount a week or two later for hth. He got off light IMO.

 

[Area51Inhabitant]

The amount of fines in this instance is a joke pure and simple. The NFL would be good to review some of the Kermit Washington footage to see just how serious a situation fist fighting can turn into. Unfortunately it might take a situation like that for Goodell to get his head out of the sand with regard to this issue. A real missed opportunity imo.

 

[Choke]

I think Steve Johnson got fined more for writing on his undershirt, this is ridiculous. They should have both been suspended or fined at least as much as you get for helmet to helmet

People have been getting fined 25K for HTH hits since that big hth weekend. Harrison was fined 50K for two in one game.

No. That is wrong. (and it keeps getting repeated wrong in the media because nobody* is correcting them.)The NFL stated the hit on Cribbs was perfectly fine and legal. A runner with the ball is allowed to be hit h-t-h.

The hit on Mohamed Massaquoi was deemed worthy of a 75,000 fine.

Actually greg rosenthall at roto/nbc reported it correct. 75k for hitting Mass and 20k for literally pushing Brees.

Link? I was quite psoitive that Harrison's fines that week were for more than one hit. He didn't get fined for pushing Brees, he got fined for pushing Brees after he tomahawk chopped Brees, both well after the ball was thrown. Let's not downplay his stupid move here. It wasn't a 'heat of battle' thing, it was blatantly late and unnecessary. He was also fined a lot because he's a repeat offender of late and illegal hits.

Merriweather got 25K and someone else drew the same amount a week or two later for hth. He got off light IMO.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Harris...ined-50000.htmlIn letters to each player, Anderson wrote: “Future offenses will result in an escalation of fines up to and including suspension.”

In the second quarter of Pittsburgh’s game against Cleveland, Harrison unnecessarily struck a defenseless receiver in the head and neck area.

That action violated Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8 (g) of the NFL Official Playing Rules, which states that it is unnecessary roughness if the initial force of the contact by a defender’s helmet, forearm, or shoulder is to the head or neck area of a defenseless receiver who is catching or attempting to catch a pass.

Anderson added that the action also violated Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8 (h) of the NFL Official Playing Rules, which states that if a receiver has completed a catch and has not had time to protect himself, a defensive player is prohibited from launching (springing forward and upward) into him in a way that causes the defensive player’s helmet, facemask, shoulder, or forearm to forcibly strike the receiver’s head or neck area, even if the initial contact of the defender’s helmet, facemask, shoulder, or forearm is lower than the receiver’s neck.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/...ses_illega.html

Ray Anderson, NFL executive vice president of football operations, has been the point man in the league's crackdown on illegal hits to the head and neck.

He's been quoted everywhere the past week explaining the league's concern with the rash of brutal hits and adjustments in league discipline going forward.

We caught up with Anderson in a telephone interview as the week wound down.



Q: Why wasn't the James Harrison hit on Josh Cribbs considered an illegal hit?

A: Because he was a runner. He was not defenseless under our rules. So he had a chance on his own to protect himself. So he wasn't under the category of defenseless player per the rules. Exposed? Yeah, but he was a runner. Runners aren't protected from helmet to helmet hits under the current rules.

So again... James Harrison was fined 75k for his hit on Massaquoi. And 20k for his late push of Brees.

 

[belljr]

Thanks for that post, Yudkin. Very interesting. NFL really needs to take a look at their system and process of fining if they want to keep guys from dropping the gauntlets.

They were talking about the Green Ellis fine on the radio. He got paid $29K for the game and had to give $15K of it back for the fine. As mentioned earlier, he fell down and still tried to block a pass rusher. He couldn't even see what else was happening. He didn't know someone else also was also trying to block a blitzer and had the defender "engaged", so when BLGE hit him it was ruled an illegal chop block. Green Ellis is the farthest thing from a dirty player in the league and he was only trying to save Brady from getting decked.Yet guys like Seymour and Johnson intentionally got into physical altercations that pretty much had nothing at all to do with the play as it was happening and took place out of spite after the play was already over.

I suspect one of these days someone will get severely hurt and have to go on IR or hang up their cleats permanently from something like this and then the league will be forced to do something more Draconian. Getting embroiled in a major lawsuit would probably serve to stir the pot . . .

Interesting David. Considering the fact that things like this are common occurance in hockey I don't see this happening though. This is similar to the HTH discussions earlier. I think everyone in the game accepts things like this. Andre was awarded the game ball by his coach. If anything the repeat offenders should be punished more severely. Finnigan is a goon and the entire league knows this.

Hockey has suspended players for the remainder of the season in the past, which IIRC was like 30 games. But hockey players are smaller than some of the NFL's monsters, and if for some reason a big goon of a lineman wanted to take it out on a smaller defensive back that took a cheap shot at a QB, who knows what could happen. Didn't Albert Haynesworth stomp several times on one of the Cowboys a few years back?I don't so much have an issue with or care how the league wants to police itself or impose penalties as long as they are consistent. But when guys get involved in brawls and getted fined less than or on par with things that happen during plays that were not necessarily intentional or malevolent, IMO there is a problem.

These guys did not get suspended for fighting, they got hit for much worse.The 30 game suspension was because it was his 7th suspension AND he stomped on a leg of a player (it was worse than it sounds). Other major suspensions are for stick to the face, slashes, and another time Todd Bertuzzi attacked a guy from behind and smashed his head into the ice. Deliberate hits to the head are suspended and they are cracking down on this more but no one was suspended just for fighting.

A 30 game suspension is like a 6 game suspension in the NFL so these are considered MAJOR infractions much like Haynesworth stomping on the head of a player.

 

[Black Box]

The shark play now is to quickly bring a goon onto your team for the playoff push

 

[Mello]

The amount of fines in this instance is a joke pure and simple. The NFL would be good to review some of the Kermit Washington footage to see just how serious a situation fist fighting can turn into. Unfortunately it might take a situation like that for Goodell to get his head out of the sand with regard to this issue. A real missed opportunity imo.

The faux concern is impressive. Guess what, I can point to one instance of any activity and claim that it can be seriously dangerous. That's pointless. Look at the sum of all incidents and you will see that it is not serious.

 

[Area51Inhabitant]

The amount of fines in this instance is a joke pure and simple. The NFL would be good to review some of the Kermit Washington footage to see just how serious a situation fist fighting can turn into. Unfortunately it might take a situation like that for Goodell to get his head out of the sand with regard to this issue. A real missed opportunity imo.

The faux concern is impressive. Guess what, I can point to one instance of any activity and claim that it can be seriously dangerous. That's pointless. Look at the sum of all incidents and you will see that it is not serious.

The difference is that fighting is in no way a part of the play. The game is inherently dangerous and some of that aspect of it can not and in some cases should not be legislated out. This is not an everyday part of the game and it goes without saying that something with the potential for danger which isn't a part of the sport should be strongly discouraged. The NFL chose the other path.

 

[Choke]

The amount of fines in this instance is a joke pure and simple. The NFL would be good to review some of the Kermit Washington footage to see just how serious a situation fist fighting can turn into. Unfortunately it might take a situation like that for Goodell to get his head out of the sand with regard to this issue. A real missed opportunity imo.

The faux concern is impressive. Guess what, I can point to one instance of any activity and claim that it can be seriously dangerous. That's pointless. Look at the sum of all incidents and you will see that it is not serious.

The difference is that fighting is in no way a part of the play. The game is inherently dangerous and some of that aspect of it can not and in some cases should not be legislated out. This is not an everyday part of the game and it goes without saying that something with the potential for danger which isn't a part of the sport should be strongly discouraged. The NFL chose the other path.

You are absolutely correct.

 

[floods]

"Don't pick a fight with someone who can whip your ###!" -Mike Ditka

 

[Mello]

The amount of fines in this instance is a joke pure and simple. The NFL would be good to review some of the Kermit Washington footage to see just how serious a situation fist fighting can turn into. Unfortunately it might take a situation like that for Goodell to get his head out of the sand with regard to this issue. A real missed opportunity imo.

The faux concern is impressive. Guess what, I can point to one instance of any activity and claim that it can be seriously dangerous. That's pointless. Look at the sum of all incidents and you will see that it is not serious.

The difference is that fighting is in no way a part of the play. The game is inherently dangerous and some of that aspect of it can not and in some cases should not be legislated out. This is not an everyday part of the game and it goes without saying that something with the potential for danger which isn't a part of the sport should be strongly discouraged. The NFL chose the other path.

OK, then we're just arguing about how much the potential for danger is, what exactly is considered part of the sport, and what is considered strongly discouraging. I think the net potential for danger from fist fights is pretty low, that fighting is an occasional expected result of the sport which should be minimized within reason, and that the current punishment of an immediate ejection and fine along with the possibility of further suspension depending on the circumstances is strongly discouraging enough. I'll be proven wrong if we starting having multiple injuries related to fights and we start seeing more and more fights on the field because the punishment doled out wasn't stiff enough. I don't believe that will happen and I don't believe the risk of it happening is even close to high enough to strongly argue that the punishment imposed was not enough.

 

[VaTerp]

The amount of fines in this instance is a joke pure and simple. The NFL would be good to review some of the Kermit Washington footage to see just how serious a situation fist fighting can turn into. Unfortunately it might take a situation like that for Goodell to get his head out of the sand with regard to this issue. A real missed opportunity imo.

The faux concern is impressive. Guess what, I can point to one instance of any activity and claim that it can be seriously dangerous. That's pointless. Look at the sum of all incidents and you will see that it is not serious.

The difference is that fighting is in no way a part of the play. The game is inherently dangerous and some of that aspect of it can not and in some cases should not be legislated out. This is not an everyday part of the game and it goes without saying that something with the potential for danger which isn't a part of the sport should be strongly discouraged. The NFL chose the other path.

OK, then we're just arguing about how much the potential for danger is, what exactly is considered part of the sport, and what is considered strongly discouraging. I think the net potential for danger from fist fights is pretty low, that fighting is an occasional expected result of the sport which should be minimized within reason, and that the current punishment of an immediate ejection and fine along with the possibility of further suspension depending on the circumstances is strongly discouraging enough. I'll be proven wrong if we starting having multiple injuries related to fights and we start seeing more and more fights on the field because the punishment doled out wasn't stiff enough. I don't believe that will happen and I don't believe the risk of it happening is even close to high enough to strongly argue that the punishment imposed was not enough.

Well said.

 

[Area51Inhabitant]

The amount of fines in this instance is a joke pure and simple. The NFL would be good to review some of the Kermit Washington footage to see just how serious a situation fist fighting can turn into. Unfortunately it might take a situation like that for Goodell to get his head out of the sand with regard to this issue. A real missed opportunity imo.

The faux concern is impressive. Guess what, I can point to one instance of any activity and claim that it can be seriously dangerous. That's pointless. Look at the sum of all incidents and you will see that it is not serious.

The difference is that fighting is in no way a part of the play. The game is inherently dangerous and some of that aspect of it can not and in some cases should not be legislated out. This is not an everyday part of the game and it goes without saying that something with the potential for danger which isn't a part of the sport should be strongly discouraged. The NFL chose the other path.

OK, then we're just arguing about how much the potential for danger is, what exactly is considered part of the sport, and what is considered strongly discouraging. I think the net potential for danger from fist fights is pretty low, that fighting is an occasional expected result of the sport which should be minimized within reason, and that the current punishment of an immediate ejection and fine along with the possibility of further suspension depending on the circumstances is strongly discouraging enough. I'll be proven wrong if we starting having multiple injuries related to fights and we start seeing more and more fights on the field because the punishment doled out wasn't stiff enough. I don't believe that will happen and I don't believe the risk of it happening is even close to high enough to strongly argue that the punishment imposed was not enough.

Ordinarily a fight in a football game doesn't pose the same level of potential danger because of the players wearing helmets. The player throwing a punch is probably more at risk of injury to his hand than either player would be to a punch to the head. This situation wasn't your typical football fight. Once both players had pulled the other's helmet off and additional haymakers were thrown, the potential risk of a blow to the head was significantly increased and made it a much different situation than your typical football fight imo. The league decided to treat it by the book and eject and fine both players according to the book. My point was that this particular situation was much riskier than 99 percent of your typical football fights but was not treated as such by the league.

 

[Sam Quentin]

The amount of fines in this instance is a joke pure and simple. The NFL would be good to review some of the Kermit Washington footage to see just how serious a situation fist fighting can turn into. Unfortunately it might take a situation like that for Goodell to get his head out of the sand with regard to this issue. A real missed opportunity imo.

The faux concern is impressive. Guess what, I can point to one instance of any activity and claim that it can be seriously dangerous. That's pointless. Look at the sum of all incidents and you will see that it is not serious.

The difference is that fighting is in no way a part of the play. The game is inherently dangerous and some of that aspect of it can not and in some cases should not be legislated out. This is not an everyday part of the game and it goes without saying that something with the potential for danger which isn't a part of the sport should be strongly discouraged. The NFL chose the other path.

OK, then we're just arguing about how much the potential for danger is, what exactly is considered part of the sport, and what is considered strongly discouraging. I think the net potential for danger from fist fights is pretty low, that fighting is an occasional expected result of the sport which should be minimized within reason, and that the current punishment of an immediate ejection and fine along with the possibility of further suspension depending on the circumstances is strongly discouraging enough. I'll be proven wrong if we starting having multiple injuries related to fights and we start seeing more and more fights on the field because the punishment doled out wasn't stiff enough. I don't believe that will happen and I don't believe the risk of it happening is even close to high enough to strongly argue that the punishment imposed was not enough.

Ordinarily a fight in a football game doesn't pose the same level of potential danger because of the players wearing helmets. The player throwing a punch is probably more at risk of injury to his hand than either player would be to a punch to the head. This situation wasn't your typical football fight. Once both players had pulled the other's helmet off and additional haymakers were thrown, the potential risk of a blow to the head was significantly increased and made it a much different situation than your typical football fight imo. The league decided to treat it by the book and eject and fine both players according to the book. My point was that this particular situation was much riskier than 99 percent of your typical football fights but was not treated as such by the league.

Which is why AJ was more pf an instigator here, sas he initiated the removal of helmets.The helmet removal is what allowed him to gain the upper hand here.