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.
Stupid call. Even more stupid fine. This bogus call (and the bogus call on Asante after the runback) changed the momentum and nearly cost us the game. Orton should be fined for hanging one of his reliable receivers out to dry. Great hit, now put Maclin in for the kickoff returns--PUHLEASE!!!— IdahoMoose- Stupidity has not excuse.
- Scheffler became a defender as he was hit AFTER the interception. It was a fair block which recievers put on DB's all the time. Macho should bring some of those reciever "blocks" vidoes to his appeal.— SuperJ
- when i saw it on the tv it seemed bad. like he went for his head. but after looking at the replay i don't think it's that bad. i guess macho and the league are trying to set a tone. i loved the hit.— brownrice
- One of the weirdest plays/penalties scenarios I've ever witnessed. it seemed to almost be a game-clinching INT, with the Eagles up 27-10 and the ball temporarily at midfield. With two spot-of-the-foul half-the-distance penalties, the Eagles then started on their own 1 and momentum swung immediately to Denver. Look slike a ticky-tack call, and I never saw the Asante spike, but just that extra yard or yard-and-a-half tacked on gave them even less breathing room.— MG44
- Maybe he can be deemed courageous and given an award or his teammates could chip in to pay the fine. The facts are most Eagles fans wouldn't admit it was a hit worth a penalty or fine no matter what.— kmon
- Clean shot.Period.Keep bringing it Macho.— MJPD345
- GREAT HIT MACHO!!! THATS HOW A EAGLES SAFTY HITS..#20 WOULD HAVE LEFT THE HELMET IN THE THIRD ROW,HES LUCKY IT WAS A ROOKIE THAT HIT EM!— RAGE12
- Its no wonder that scoring is up throughout the league. All the rules are in favor of the offense and go against the defense. Next thing you know it will be unnecessary roughness just to block or tackle a guy. I'm all for protecting the players against unnecessary injuries, but its getting ridiculous. Pretty soon the NFL will be playing touch football.— SteveS11
- This is almost identical to the Hugh Douglas hit on Jim Miller in the '02 playoffs! Once there's been a change of possession, you're fair game to be blocked. I thought it was a clean hit, although brutal, but this isn't flag football. That being said, the birds need to put someone back there to take kick returns who don't have butterfingers. Granted, the one hit that caused a fumble was solid. But the other, what the hell?!— Unca Mook
Comment removed.- #20 WOULD HAVE PUT HIS HELMET IN THE THIRD ROW.GREAT HIT MACHO!!GO EAGLES— RAGE12
- This call was a joke call period...— phigglesfan75
- THE ONLY THING HE DID WRONG WAS NOT PLAY THE BALL, IF YOU WATCHED THE SKINS GAME FLETCHER BOUT KILLED A DALLAS WIDEOUT WITH HIS FOREARM.AND HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN FINED,— RAGE12
- i think the nfl owes us an explanation on this one; end the secrecy and let the rest of us know what was illegal about a shoulder to shoulder block!— mosquito killer
