Vince Young update; Hit on DeSean costs $50,000
Ray Anderson, the NFL's vice president of football operations, was just on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike" show and said that Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson's hit on Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson definitely was illegal under the rules protecting a defenseless receiver.
Vince Young update; Hit on DeSean costs $50,000
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
UPDATED, 7:45:
Titans coach Jeff Fisher said quarterback Vince Young is day-to-day with a mild sprained left knee after being injured in a 30-3 win over Jacksonville on Monday. He also has a sprained ankle.
The Eagles visit the Titans on Sunday at LP Field, where the Titans (4-2) have lost their last two home games.
He did not know if Young would be able to practice tomorrow, but the Titans are planning a reduced workload because of the short week. Fisher said he expected Young to be day-to-day most of the week.
“It’s not unrealistic if he misses a couple days of practice that he still can play. I think he’s got a good chance,” Fisher told reporters in his day-after news conference, according to the Associated Press.
Young thought his season might have been over when he was pulled down after recovering a fumbled snap with his left leg twisting underneath him.
“If you look at ... what happened in the game, I could stand up here and say that he’s lucky,” Fisher said. “As he said, he’s a quick healer, and we’ll just go with him day to day.”
UPDATED: The NFL has fined the Falcons' Dunta Robinson $50,000 for his hit on Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson.
The league issued a total of $175,000 in fines to three players for helmet-to-helmet hits today.
Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather has been fined $50,000 and Steelers linebacker James Harrison has been fined $75,000. Harrison plans to appeal. He received the additional fine as a repeat offender.
The league is considering suspensions for helmet-to-helmet hits, but felt players had not been given fair warning of possible penalties and opted for fines this week.
EARLIER:
Ray Anderson, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, was just on ESPN Radio’s "Mike & Mike" show and said that Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson’s hit on Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson definitely was illegal under the rules protecting a defenseless receiver.
"Technically, by the rules, even if you initiate contact below the neck, but you get up into a players head and neck area for a defenseless receiver, technically under that rule, that was a violation," Anderson said. "That’s why it was called (a penalty). And it will be subject to discipline."
The league expanded the definition of a "defenseless receiver" in March. If a receiver has caught the ball, but hasn’t had time to protect himself, he can’t be hit in the head or neck area.
"Yes, it was a bang-bang play," Anderson said. "You can make the argument that it was different from the others (hits on Sunday).
But at the end of the day, it was still illegal under the current rules. And we have to be very vigorous about enforcing and protecting our players against hits like this."
Bottom line: Robinson definitely will be fined. My best guess is he won’t receive a suspension unless the league is determined to send a message to the rest of the players.
Comment removed.
defenseless receiver, how bout him launching himself, leading with his helmet and making helmet to helmet contact....It was wrong in every possible way.— subsonickharma- I'm glad to league came out and said that. Now they should suspend all those guys one game (merriweather, robinson, harrison) then all of the sudden these hits will go away.— sasquatches
- James Harrison unleashed his Pit Bull on his 3 year old son, I don't really think he cares if he hurts a player on another team.— brmorgen81
- Time to get radical with this issue. These players need to quit feeling so protected with their helmets. Remove the face masks, or at least change every one to a single bar. You won't see people leading with their heads then.— Mike in LA
- I don't want to see anyone get hurt or injured playing this game, but I started playing this game when I was little and we were taught to try and seperate a player from the ball by "generally" hitting hard like that. I think that it's going to be hard to change that aspect of hard hitting. It sounds like the game as we know it may not be able to be played the same and I can handle that since it's in an effort to keep players safe.— nceagle
- Follow Rugby's lead; you must attempt to wrap up the ball-carrier and actually attempt to tackle him - there are no flying spearing shots in rugby. If you do not try to wrap your arms around the player, but instead just collide with him to knock him down, its a penalty. We should be teaching kids how to properly tackle, not how to paralyze their opponents.— KingOfPhilly
- I'm glad the league is going to finally start cracking down on these dirty plays (hopefully they mean it this time). Concussions are serious injuries though a lot of the NFL's rabid fans who have never had one don't understand. There's no excuse whatsoever to try to give another guy brain damage over a game. They permanently damage the guys health, put his career in jeopardy, and deprive the teams of assets they pay a lot of money for.— Jangocat
- Why the defender couldn't have just tackled him around the chest is beyond me...he should be suspended for the season.— psuwelsh
- If he led with his right shoulder and hit DJax, it would have been a good play and well-timed. The fact that he lowers the helmet and leads with the crown of it makes it illegal and totally dangerous.— Fozzie27
- The problem is shots like those are over replayed on ESPN and kids watch and try to emulate the pros. That hit should have been the first topic of discussion at practice for every high school, middle school, cyo and pop warner coach on Monday. He couldn't have found a better example of the reckless and wrong way to hit a receiver.— downthemiddle
- Let's play touch football! That's the answer. These guys get paid to take these hits. I cannot believe it takes a decision by committee to determine that one hit is illegal and another hit is OK. And if you want this to be more like rugby, take the helmets off.— xxx
- If players were still using those leather helmets, I'm sure they'd figure out a way not to lead with their heads.— bobbyd24
- They can alter the rule now and not wait until after the season. They need to protect their players who are why the fans show up. 10 was clocked by a guy who should be punished for the act. How many concussions does it take? Horse collar tackles are illegal as Klob now knows. Hits above the chest should be banned.— jjthree
- Comment removed.
