Macho fined $7,500 for block
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Macho fined $7,500 for block
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Safety Macho Harris was fined $7,500 for the block he laid on Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler in the third quarter of Sunday's 30-27 win over Denver.
Harris said that he received notice from the NFL today.
"I didn't even read it," Harris said. "I just checked the amount. Hopfeully, I get to appeal it."
Harris was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the play, which came during an Asante Samuel interception. The personal foul was a turning point of sorts. The Eagles' led, 27-10, at the time and appeared to be well on their way to an easy win. But Samuel's 40-yard return was brought back by the penalty. The cornerback was also called for delay of game when he spiked the ball after his return and the Eagles offense had to start from their own 1-yard line.
The Eagles had to punt and the Broncos scored the next 17 points to tie the game.
Apparently, the NFL thought that Harris' hit was too lethal or that it was aimed too high near the head. If you read between the lines, Eagles coach Andy Reid wasn't happy about the call.
"The [officials] said the receiver was at risk on that," Reid said after the game. "Let's move on."
Harris had a rough game. He fumbled a kick return which led to a Denver touchdown and was out of position on a few plays at safety. Many believed his block was legal, however.
"It's tough, but it's part of the game," Harris said. "Can't happen again, though."
In other Eagles-related news, Michael Vick is still recovering from a quad bruise and will likely be a limited participant in practice today, Reid said. Safety Quintin Demps is back practicing after an MRI revealed that his sore ankle was nothing more than a sprain.
Center Jamaal Jackson will have knee surgery next week. The operation will be performed by Dr. Robert Andrews. With Jackson out, Nick Cole takes over at center. Reid said today that Max Jean-Gilles will replace Cole at right guard.
Trungy, you are going to base your opinion on a grainy 4"x3" image on your computer?!? Trust me, I replayed it my my 56" HD TV and it was DEFINITELY Harris' shoulder and DEFINITELY the center of Scheffler's chest, NOT his head. His head snaps back from the impact, but was not contacted at all. The league owes Harris an apology, not a fine.— Bazalite- It wasn't a block by Macho man, it was a free shot at the WR. Play smarter, dude.— P Even
- Too many silly penalties called in football. Not sure about this one. I can understand the desire to protect someone's head. But too many penalties for guys being tackled near the sideline. It's football! If it's not the qb, the guy with the ball should expect to be tackled. So what if you get tackled a split second after you step out of bounds.
- So where is the fine for the clear helmet-to-helmet contact that Macho absorbed on the kick return that caused the fumble? Maybe one of the Eagles beat writers can follow up with the NFL on that topic.
- Thanks, Bazalite and jlcharles. I had the same comment. That's a shoulder to the chest, period. No contact with the head. And the contact occurs a fraction of a second after Samuel intercepts the ball: It wasn't intended as a block, but to separate a receiver from the football he was intending to catch. If the ball's not picked off, which Harris couldn't know as he lunged into his hit, then he's simply nailing a receiver in the chest -- right where the ball would have been. Ball pops out, great play, no flags whatsoever.— PhilaLogic
- BS fine... ribb crushing hits are ok though, if it is on Eagles QB...— Seed
- If I wanted to watch a pansy sport, i'd watch soccer. This is getting ridiculous. That said, where were the two PI calls on Dawk for mugging Westbrook?— rob808pf
- vicious but clean and necessary hit. can't you lay a guy out anymore?— idiotbox
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- trungy. You are out of your mind. Macho led with his shoulder and hit him right in the chest. The follow through of his arm goes upward, but that's it. He didn't even jump at the guy, he just ran right through him. Textbook clean hit in my opinion. What were you looking at?— phatjoe88
- What a bunch of GIRLLYMEN! Wait for Harris to get over this rookie year of trying too hard to show he belongs. You heard it here first, he is a keeper.— chucksf
- What a bunch of GIRLLYMEN! Wait for Harris to get over this rookie year of trying too hard to show he belongs. You heard it here first, he is a keeper.— chucksf
- What a bunch of GIRLLYMEN! Wait for Harris to get over this rookie year of trying too hard to show he belongs. You heard it here first, he is a keeper.— chucksf
- What a bunch of GIRLLYMEN! Wait for Harris to get over this rookie year of trying too hard to show he belongs. You heard it here first, he is a keeper.— chucksf
