Another week, another fine for Hines Ward, who now owes the league $10,000 for unnecessary roughness penalties in consecutive games against Ravens and Jaguars.
Neither incident elicited a flag, which isn't particularly noteworthy (players are fined weekly for on-field transgressions that officials might've overlooked during the game), but the fact that neither Ward nor head coach Mike Tomlin know why the Steelers receiver is a little lighter in the wallet is puzzling.
"I join [Ward] in being bewildered," Tomlin said today at his weekly news conference. "I intend to make a phone call to get some clarity." ...Tomlin said today that he plans to get somebody from the NFL Gestapo on the horn to explain the fines, but he shouldn't hold his breath. As best I can tell, financial sanctions are handed down with all the certainty of a blind man throwing darts at a wall scribbled with random dollar amounts. Which is to say: it couldn't be more arbitrary if the league used a random number generator.
A puzzled Ward said Monday he wants the league to explain to him what constitutes unnecessary roughness as part of the appeal he plans to make.
Ward has long been one of the best blocking wide receivers in the NFL and is known for his physical style of play.
But as MDS points out, if Ward and Tomlin keep it up, they'll have more fines coming their way. Especially if dancing is somehow involved.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-14-2008 @ 8:51PM
soulcitysigma1914 said...
Goodell will now snuff Ward and Tomlin for their foolish insubordination
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10-14-2008 @ 9:39PM
steve-o said...
hines is a bad dude if you cant take a hit from a wide receiver you shouldn"t play the game good job hines keep up the good work
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10-14-2008 @ 11:10PM
jojo said...
The NFL has changed so many rules over the past 30 years,that they have turned a mans game into a sissies game. GIve me a break, fining a man with no penalties, just for hitting too hard! I have stopped watching it for this reason, I can't take it anymore, I much prefer the NHL, a real mans game.
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10-15-2008 @ 8:01AM
Thatsabsurd said...
Goodell the man that destroyed the NFL.
This guy is a freaking idiot a real idiot.
Go away goodell!
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10-18-2008 @ 9:24AM
lowridersteeler said...
maybe the players themselfs should petition the comish for such an idiot minded move,sure is kind of funny that this kind of behavior is going on now that mr upshaw is no longer in charge of the players union,s who is in charge you would think that some exec rep wouldve been all over this and put the comish in check
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10-17-2008 @ 11:24PM
A.J. said...
The NFLPA is still in transition, aren't they? Upshaw, obviously, died about two months or so ago and I'm not sure they've found a replacement.
11-08-2008 @ 7:31PM
tionestafirefighter said...
Another week in the NFL and another Steeler player fined. Lamar Woodley gets fined for a hit(that he was never penalized for) does any body find it a concern that Goodell was in the Redskins owners box when this happened?
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