NEW YORK (AP) -- Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed was fined $55,000 by the
NFL for his high hit on the New York Giants' Victor Cruz last weekend.
Reed
struck the wide receiver in the head and neck area, and was penalized
for the hit in the game. He had a one-game suspension for several
helmet-to-helmet hits reduced to a $50,000 fine last month.
Ravens
coach John Harbaugh was asked if Reed's punishment fit the penalty he
was called for. Replays showed Reed lower his shoulder into Cruz,
connecting first with his chest. Reed's shoulder then made contact with
Cruz's facemask, which drew the 15-yard penalty.
''The system is
not perfect, although the motivation is correct and the idea is
right,'' Harbaugh said. ''It's still a work in progress. I know our
guys are doing everything they can, and I'm proud of our guys, to try
to play within the rules and respect player safety.
''Sometimes it's easier said than done, but they are doing their best.''
Reed wasn't available for comment in the Ravens' locker room Friday,
but has opposed his previous fines in the past.
''I just play the game,'' Reed said Thursday. ''I'll let (the NFL) make
those decisions.''
Ravens offensive tackle Michael Oher also was fined $10,000 for a chop
block against the Giants.
Carolina
quarterback Cam Newton was fined $21,000 for abusive conduct toward a
game official, and another $10,000 for kicking Oakland's Tommy Kelly
after a play was over. Newton shouted at and bumped referee Jerome
Boger in the fourth quarter of Carolina's 17-6 victory.
Newton
apologized after the game, saying ''the words that I said during the
game were very disrespectful and I apologized to (Boger) during the
game, but I'm going public and apologizing again. It was something in
the heat of the moment.''
Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy was
fined $25,000 for striking Oakland quarterback Carson Palmer in the
back with his helmet. Palmer suffered cracked ribs and a bruised lung
on the play, and will not play in the team's season finale. Carolina
safety Charles Godfrey was fined $21,000 for striking a defenseless
player in the head and neck area.
New England's Vince Wilfork
was docked $30,000 for hitting Jacksonville offensive lineman Steve Vallos in the head with his forearm on a play in which possession
changed.
Tennessee defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks was fined $7,875 for a
facemask against Green Bay.
Houston
cornerback Kareem Jackson was fined $21,000 for unnecessary roughness
for hitting Minnesota wide receiver Jarius Wright in the head and neck
area. Safety Danieal Manning was fined $10,000 for grabbing an opponent
by the facemask.
Minnesota offensive tackle Matt Kalil was fined $10,000 for striking an
opponent late against Houston.
San Francisco's Anthony Davis was fined $10,000 for a late hit on
Seattle cornerback Jeremy Lane
|