29
Nov
2010
Andre Johnson avoids suspension for beating Finnegan; fans everywhere applaud
Andre Johnson dishes out some street justice to Cortland Finnegan (Photo: Karen Warren/Chronicle)
Let’s face it: Andre Johnson did the league a favor. When the all-pro WR beat Cortland Finnegan like he stole something during yesterdays Texans/Titans game, it somehow felt as though justice had been served.
Finnegan takes pride in being a dirty player. His entire game is getting inside his opponents’ heads until they finally snap and draw a penalty. The guy is a punk, plain and simple, who has openly boasted about wanting to be labeled the dirtiest player in the league. And so far this season, he’s done a fine job of building his reputation along those lines. But yesterday, Finnegan picked a fight with a much bigger dog, and he finally got what was coming to him. And as it happened, football fans around the world cheered.
Which is why it’s nice to hear that Johnson will not be suspended for his part in the brawl for it all, according to a report from Fox26. And the Houston Chronicle reports that both players have been fined $25k, but neither will face suspension for their actions. It actually seems like a particularly light slap on the wrist for both players from Roger Goodell, who up until now recently has handed out fines like Halloween candy. Richard Seymour was just fined the same amount last week for smacking down Ben Roethlisberger … and that was just one open-handed shot, while both were wearing helmets. So it seemed that a heavier punishment was in line for both players after their full-on brawl at the 40-yard line.
Johnson has been extremely contrite in apologizing for his actions yesterday, saying he simply lost his cool and would accept whatever punishment came his way. But Goodell apparently agreed with Mike Ditka, who went on the Mike and Mike radio show this morning and suggested that Johnson should be commended for his actions:
I wouldn’t suspend him. I would applaud him if I was the National Football League. Where does it say that if I snake bites you, you can’t step on the snake? And that’s exactly what happened to this kid.
That seems to be the general consensus.
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO OF THE BRAWL AFTER THE JUMP
9
Nov
2010
NFL doesn’t fine Coleman for Collie hit; continue to make up rules as they go along
(AP Photo via NYTimes.com)
In a shocking move, the NFL has elected not to fine Eagles S Kurt Coleman for this hit that knocked Colts WR Austin Collie out of the game on Sunday.
The decision is surprising mainly because it is the correct one. And in their zealous quest to eliminate helmet-to-helmet hits from the game, the league has seemingly preferred blind justice over common sense when levying punishment (see the ludicrous fine given to Myron Pryor for the completely legal hit that injured Brett Favre). So it appeared that Coleman was a prime candidate for an example-making suspension to really drive their message home.
But today, the league issued a statement explaining they would not discipline Coleman at all:
“Because the helmet-to-helmet contact was a result of Collie being driven toward Coleman by Mikell’s legal hit, there will be no fine for this action”
So it seems that Goodell and his cohorts really are just making this all up as they go along. Just when you thought they were going to fine and suspend anyone who dared make contact with the head or neck area of an opponent, they go and do something completely out of character and make a decision that reeks of logic and a greater understanding of the nature of the game … well, at least at the beginning.
12
Nov
2009
Mike Smith fined $15k, DeAngelo Hall $0 for role in sideline brawl
(Photo: AP)
The AP is reporting that Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith has been fined $15,000 for his part in Sunday’s sideline skirmish with Redksins CB DeAngelo Hall.
Hall, on the other hand, was not fined at all. This may seem a bit odd considering that Hall launched himself into the Falcons sideline seemingly intent on starting trouble (mission accomplished!). But apparently Mr. Goodell saw something different than the rest of us, and decided to punish everyone involved except Hall.
Other fines handed out following the brawl include Redskins safety LaRon Landry ($7,500), Washington defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth ($5,000) and Falcons director of athletic performance Jeff Fish ($2,500).
And again, Hall = $0. Makes perfect sense.
Smith had this to say after Thursday’s practice:
“I received a letter from the NFL office this morning,” he said. “I want to reiterate that I’m always going to have my players’ backs and I’m going to take care of them.”
Good for Smith. DeAngelo Hall is a punk with a history of starting trouble, and it’s ridiculous that Goodell would let him off the hook like that.
