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.
Good point Snook. McNabb gets a WWF style knee drop to the ribs while laying in the endzone - no call, no fine. Macho blocks during an int return - 47yd penalty, $7.5k fine.— Souf Phil- THE NFL is a Joke and More than Half will lose interest in the NFL in 2 years, guaranteed.— 5isthebestEagleEver
- The NFL is being Decimated by the College level by forcing these untalented, unknowledgeable morons play on the College Level, not checking the grades and nothing, just giving them a free pass because wes Owes it to thems.....— 5isthebestEagleEver
Just get it over with and change the NFL to the NFFL (National Flag Football League).- That was a great block! What a joke!— ChrisM
Comment removed.- He didn't hit him in the head, and it was after the interception--so what is "too lethal" or "aimed too high"? If he didn't give hime a head shot, it's not "too high." Could they at least explain their decision so there is some guidance for the future? Ridiculous.— Jim C.
- If anyone saw the hit laid on Harris to force the fumble, he also, was clocked above his shoulder pads, no shoulder or helmet hits above the shoulders..and thats the hit that forced Harris' fumble...where was that call ?!?— Will.i.Am
- The NFL continues to lose credibility by the day! Rules change like underwear and officials make more and more mistakes because of it. Harris was penalized for hitting someone too hard...and this is football? If Scheffler catches the ball and nothing else changes is there a flag? If Harris doesn't hit Scheffler and he makes the tackle on Samuel after the pick what happens? Harris goes to the sideline and gets an earful from his coaches. That play has been in football forever and its call a "BLOCK". If the NFL was really worried about "defenseless players" or "unnecessary roughness" why do they market these hits every chance they get? “NFL Films” has a building full of these so called penalties! ESPN shows them every week…”Jacked Up”. How many times does someone get hit like that on special teams? Is that not the same thing? The National Football League...a dying product! The National Fraud League has taken over.— tvh27
- aren't all receivers attempting to catch a ball defenseless? Thus, I guess they should never be hit.— mwilgus
- Ronnie Lott would have owed money at the end of the season. No Foul League— mainstreet
- trungy, I wasn't aware that your head was in your chest.
- I agree on the penalty to Harris but I don't know how many times I saw the Deadskins Landry lead with his helmet and not get it called. They're trying to stop with the concussions yet the refs and the league let that stuff go. London Fletcher's another one who uses his helmet all the time.— Phillyexp
- On Macho's fumble of the kick-off return, he was hit with a helmet to helmet hit that caused him to fumble. Is the league looking into that? I mean isn't the intent to keep players safe? Macho is lucky he is walking today after that hit.— cmjohnson313
- 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
