Welcome to the NFL Comedy of Errors: Fines and Follies!
Ah, the NFL, where the hard tackles are almost as frequent as the fines! Each week, we’ve got more players getting their wallets lightened than a magician at a card show. You’d think an NFL game was a charity event the way these guys are donating their salaries to the league.
Take Roquan Smith, for example. This Baltimore Ravens linebacker is now officially on the accountant’s hotspot after being fined $16,885 for a tackle that could earn him an Oscar nomination for Best Dramatic Fall! You see, his “hip drop” tackle on Chris Godwin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has caused quite a stir—and an injury. Godwin will be taking a long, thoughtful sabbatical as his ankle gets some “me-time” in surgery. Let’s hope he’s using a good orthopedic surgeon and not the one responsible for the tackles! Perhaps they’re a bit too “hands-on” in their practice.
Now, the NFL’s definition of a hip drop tackle sounds like something you’d order in a trendy bar: “I’d like a pint of your finest hip drop, please!” But in reality, it’s a rather aggressive maneuver that involves a player entwining around a ball carrier and landing on their legs—sort of like a very intense game of Twister with much higher stakes. And yet, despite being banned, it seems to have found its way back onto the field faster than your ex at a family reunion.
Fine, Fine, Fined!
The referees didn’t throw a flag during the game, but look out! Roger Goodell’s team at the NFL has eyes like hawks and they’ve swooped down, pen in hand, ready to fine everyone who dares misbehave. Smith isn’t the only one—we’ve got fines flying around like confetti at a New Year’s Eve party. Baker Mayfield, the Buccaneers quarterback, for having the audacity to grab Smith’s face, will also be lighter by about $11,255. You’d almost think these players were playing Monopoly and landing on ‘Go to Jail’ instead of ‘Go!’
And what about Trent Williams from the San Francisco 49ers? He’s been hit with an $11,817 fine for, get this, undue hardship. I mean, what does that even mean? Was he trying to tackle with a hangover or something? And to add more spice to the fine fiesta, Quincy Williams from the Jets made headlines for a hard tackle, resulting in a whopping $45,020 fine. At that rate, he could even fund a small country’s defense budget!
Extra Fines From Week 7
It seems as though fines are the new fashion statement in the NFL, and we have a list of all the players who are sporting those hefty price tags this week. If you’re keeping track at home, here’s a rundown:
- K.J. Britt (Buccaneers): $6,231 – roughing the passer
- Earnest Brown IV (Buccaneers): $5,472 – roughing the passer
- Jordan Whitehead (Buccaneers): $11,817 – too deep block
- Antoine Winfield Jr. (Buccaneers): $11,817 – too deep block
- Deommodore Lenoir (49ers): $11,817 – unnecessary hardship
- Skyy Moore (Chiefs): $9,356 – unnecessary hardship
- Nnamdi Madubuike (Ravens): $16,883 – roughing the passer in the head and neck area
- Leonard Taylor III (Jets): $4,435 – roughing the passer
- Taron Johnson (Bills): $16,883 – unnecessary hardship with helmet use
- Alec Ingold (Dolphins): $17,445 – too deep and hard block
- Squad Kohou (Dolphins): $11,055 – two counts of unsportsmanlike conduct
- Malcolm Roach (Broncos): $14,069 – unsportsmanlike conduct
- Levi Wallace (Broncos): $7,181 – hip-drop tackle
- Ben Sims (Packers): $5,083 – unnecessary hardship
- Neville Hewitt (Texans): $11,255 – unnecessary late tackle
- Tomon Fox (Giants): $5,102 – roughing the kicker
- Bryce Huff (Eagles): $16,993 – roughing the passer
Each fine is like a game ticket; you earn them with your on-field shenanigans, but unlike a game ticket, there’s no tailgating involved! It seems there’s no shortage of players willing to part with some cash in pursuit of victory. The NFL’s ongoing crusade to crack down on tackles that resemble WWE moves is both admirable and entertaining. As they say in showbiz, “the show must go on!” Let’s just hope it doesn’t turn into “The Greatest Show on Turf” with everyone getting penalized into oblivion! Get your wallets ready, folks—it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing a significant setback as star receiver Chris Godwin will be sidelined for an extended period. Godwin’s injury occurred after he was tackled by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, leaving him on the turf for several minutes as he received medical attention. Unfortunately, further evaluation revealed that Godwin requires surgery to repair his ankle, casting doubt on his return this season. While the “Bucs” remain optimistic, the possibility of him missing the rest of the season looms large.
Explosive: The tackle employed by Smith, known as the “hip drop” tackle, has been increasingly scrutinized by the NFL, leading the league to ban it at the start of the season to better protect the players. This particular type of tackle involves a defender who wraps their arms around a runner while simultaneously dropping to the ground, thereby trapping the runner’s legs at or below the knee and potentially causing injury.
Although the referees on the field did not assess a penalty for the tackle that injured Godwin, the NFL has now acted post-game to hold Smith accountable. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport’s report, Smith has been fined $16,885 for his actions.
It’s worth noting that this is not an isolated incident involving the hip drop tackle; Texans running back Joe Mixon also suffered as a result of a similar tackle by Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards in Week 2, which forced Mixon to miss three games due to a sprained ankle.
Despite the league’s ongoing efforts to eliminate the controversial hip drop tackle from the game, it is evident that it remains a prevalent issue. Smith’s fine marks him as the tenth player this season to face penalties for this specific offensive technique.
NFL continues to crack down
In addition to Smith, several other NFL players faced fines for a variety of infractions after Week 7. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, for example, incurred a fine of $11,255 for improperly grabbing Smith’s face during the game.
Meanwhile, 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams was penalized $11,817 due to undue hardship as he was ejected for throwing a punch in the heated contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. In contrast, Chiefs safety Bryan Cook, who was involved in the same incident but allowed to remain in the game, is now facing a fine of $8,442.
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams attracted attention for a particularly hard tackle during the match against the Pittsburgh Steelers, resulting in him receiving the largest penalty of the day at $45,020 due to the use of his helmet.
All other fines* from week 7 at a glance:
- K.J. Britt (Buccaneers): $6,231 – roughing the passer
- Earnest Brown IV (Buccaneers): $5,472 – roughing the passer
- Jordan Whitehead (Buccaneers): $11,817 – too deep block
- Antoine Winfield Jr. (Buccaneers): $11,817 – too deep block
- Deommodore Lenoir (49ers): $11,817 – unnecessary hardship
- Skyy Moore (Chiefs): $9,356 – unnecessary hardship
- Nnamdi Madubuike (Ravens): $16,883 – roughing the passer in the head and neck area
- Leonard Taylor III (Jets): $4,435 – roughing the passer
- Taron Johnson (Bills): $16,883 – unnecessary hardship with helmet use
- Alec Ingold (Dolphins): $17,445 – too deep and hard block
- Kohou Squad (Dolphins): $11,055 – two counts of unsportsmanlike conduct
- Malcolm Roach (Broncos): $14,069 – unsportsmanlike conduct
- Levi Wallace (Broncos): $7,181 – hip drop tackle
- Ben Sims (Packers): $5,083 – unnecessary hardship
- Neville Hewitt (Texans): $11,255 – unnecessary late tackle
- Tomon Fox (Giants): $5,102 – roughing the kicker
- Bryce Huff (Eagles): $16,993 – roughing the passer
*The exact penalties are determined on an individual basis depending on the game situation, severity, and other factors.
Interview with NFL Analyst Jill Taylor: Navigating the Fines and Follies of the NFL
Interviewer: Welcome, Jill! It seems like every week the NFL is dishing out fines that could fund a small entertainment budget. What do you think has led to this uptick in player fines?
Jill Taylor: Thanks for having me! It really is wild out there. The NFL has ramped up its efforts to protect players, especially regarding dangerous tackles like the hip drop. With the league prioritizing player safety, they’re cracking down on moves deemed risky, which has resulted in fines for players who don’t adhere to those new standards.
Interviewer: Speaking of fines, Roquan Smith’s hip drop tackle on Chris Godwin has drawn a lot of attention. What do you think about the decision to penalize him post-game, especially since the referees didn’t throw a flag during the match?
Jill Taylor: It’s definitely a controversial topic. The league takes injuries seriously, especially after the backlash over tackling techniques. Even if the refs missed it during the game, the NFL’s position is clear: they want to discourage any play that poses a risk to player safety. In this case, it seems they felt a fine was necessary to send a message.
Interviewer: And what about Baker Mayfield? He’ll also feel a hit to his wallet for an incident during the same game. Do you think these fines are effective in changing player behavior?
Jill Taylor: They can be effective, but it’s a mixed bag. Fines certainly get players’ attention, but for many, it’s just part of the game—almost like a cost of doing business. It really takes a combination of consequences, public scrutiny, and peer pressure to fully shift player behaviors.
Interviewer: The fines for “undue hardship” and “roughing the passer” seem quite subjective. How does the NFL determine the appropriateness of these fines?
Jill Taylor: It’s often based on the severity of the action and its impact on player safety or game integrity. The league emphasizes the context—whether the action could endanger an opponent or disrupt fair play. It’s certainly a grey area, which is why it sparks debate among fans and analysts alike.
Interviewer: Given all the fines being handed out, do you think we’ll see changes in how players approach tackles in the future?
Jill Taylor: Absolutely. Players are already adapting their techniques to avoid penalties. We might witness a shift towards more conservative tackling strategies as they weigh the cost of fines against the benefits of a hard hit. After all, as the old saying goes, a dollar saved is a dollar earned!
Interviewer: Thanks for shedding light on this, Jill! Any final thoughts for our readers?
Jill Taylor: Just keep an eye on the evolving dynamics of the game! It’s an extraordinary mix of athleticism, strategy, and now, a little bit of finance!
Interview with NFL Analyst Jill Taylor: Navigating the Fines and Follies of the NFL
Interviewer: Welcome, Jill! It seems like every week the NFL is dishing out fines that could fund a small entertainment budget. What do you think has led to this uptick in player fines?
Jill Taylor: Thanks for having me! It really is wild out there. The NFL has ramped up its efforts to protect players, especially regarding dangerous tackles like the hip drop. With the league prioritizing player safety, they’re cracking down on moves deemed risky, which has resulted in fines for players who don’t adhere to those new standards.
Interviewer: Speaking of fines, Roquan Smith’s hip drop tackle on Chris Godwin has drawn a lot of attention. What do you think about the decision to penalize him post-game, especially since the referees didn’t throw a flag during the match?
Jill Taylor: It’s definitely a controversial topic. The league takes injuries seriously, especially after the backlash over tackling techniques. Even if the refs missed it during the game, the NFL’s position is clear: they want to discourage any play that poses a risk to player safety. In this case, it seems they felt a fine was necessary to send a message.
Interviewer: And what about Baker Mayfield? He’ll also feel a hit to his wallet for an incident during the same game. Do you think these fines are effective in changing player behavior?
Jill Taylor: Fines certainly serve as a deterrent, but their effectiveness can vary. Some players may learn from the consequences, while others might see it as just the cost of competing at such a high level. The league hopes that by consistently enforcing these penalties, players will be more mindful of their actions on the field, leading to an overall improvement in safety.
Interviewer: With so many players facing fines this season, it seems like “fines” are becoming the latest trend in the NFL. How do you think this impacts teams and their strategies moving forward?
Jill Taylor: That’s a great point. Teams will have to adapt their game plans and train their players to avoid these costly penalties. Coaches will likely emphasize safe tackling techniques and maintaining discipline during games. Ultimately, the goal is to strike a balance between playing aggressively and protecting the players, which is no easy feat.
Interviewer: Thank you for your insights, Jill! It’s clear that while the NFL is a game of strength and strategy, navigating the fines and the rules is becoming a whole new game in itself.
Jill Taylor: Absolutely! Thanks for having me, and let’s hope for a safer and more entertaining season ahead!
