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.
Terrible fine. A totally clean hit. Led with his shoulder and never made any contact with the players head. The team should reimburse Harris for the $7,500!— blueye7
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- WHY was he defenseless? Because he wasn't expecting to get hit? he wasn't up in the air, both his feet were on the ground. The hit was not high, not sure what the others posters were watching. The call at the time was not for a high hit. Again a case of the officials calling what they "think" they saw instead of what they actually saw. Only worse refereed games are whoever is playing the Stealers, and yes I know that is wrong.— AsValidAsYours
- When I watch the replay closely, it was a clean hit, Macho's shoulder did not hit the guy's head. Seems like the refs are under orders to make games close by penalizing the team that is ahead.— Dickie34
- Instead can they suspend him for 2 years so Andy Reid will be forced to get a replacement for Dawkins? Harris almost single-handedly cost us that game.— Malcolm65
- Trungy: It was a bang bang play, if AS doesn't get the int its a ball separating tackle on a tight end, not a QB. Looking at the attached video, there is no way you can say he is going for the guys head. His feet are on the ground when he hits him, so unless Scheffler is 5' 2" tall, its shoulder to shoulder. If a player has to think about making that legal block than they should be wearing flags.— Mitchboe
- Pop Quiz: In the split second before the collision the safety must commit to: A. prevent the receiver from making the catch with a hard hit, or B. prevent the receiver from tackling the interceptor, or C. Grab the receiver and prevent him from falling down too hard and hurting himself Evidently in the National Fairy League, 'C' is the correct answer! YGTBKM
- well Macho should've been fined for his fumbles anyway so I guess this makes up for it— Nick_from_Lansdowne
- If the BS call isn't made, Macho never fumbles. The Eagles get the ball on the 50 instead of the 1 and the next kick off is after Eagles score.— Mitchboe
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- I disagree with the call. I thought it was a good call when I first saw it, but watching it again, it was a legit NFL hit. Bad call by the ref.— fmMD
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- As Harry Kalas would say, "it was a bang bang play." This was not premeditated, its what a football player should do, it was s good hit.— watsonmr
