Chargers' McCree escapes fine, others don't

[1.21Gigawatts]

Chargers' McCree escapes fine, others don't

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com






San Diego safety Marlon McCree (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5681), the subject of considerable criticism from some media quarters after a vicious hit last Sunday that knocked Cincinnati Bengals (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=cin) wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5652) from the game and left him with a concussion, will not be fined.

http://espn.starwave.com/i/nfl/profiles/players/65x90/5681.jpgMcCree

In reviewing video of the controversial and much-publicized play, which occurred in the fourth quarter, NFL officials determined that contact was shoulder-to-shoulder. There was, the NFL ruled, no helmet-to-helmet contact. Nor did McCree, who seemed to launch himself into Houshmandzadeh, hit the wide receiver with his forearm.

After being on the ground for several minutes, Houshmandzadeh left the game, and did not return. At no time was Houshmandzadeh unconscious. In fact, as he lay on the turf, stunned but apparently coherent, he signaled to game referees to call a penalty.

McCree was flagged for an 18-yard pass interference penalty, moving the ball from the San Diego 45-yard line to the 27-yard line. The possession culminated in a field goal by Bengals kicker Shayne Graham (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5854).

McCree and Houshmandzadeh reportedly discussed the incident this week. The Bengals' standout wide receiver has been cleared to play in Sunday's game at New Orleans.

CBS color commentator Dan Dierdorf termed the play "a horrendous cheap shot" during the broadcast, and McCree was the subject of several articles during the week labeling him a dirty player.

While McCree escaped league sanctions, other players weren't so fortunate, with at least a half-dozen fines doled out.

Philadelphia middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4480) was fined $7,500 for a "horse collar" tackle on Washington tailback Ladell Betts (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5942) in the second quarter of the Eagles' victory over the Redskins. The fine further reflects the league's emphasis on enforcing the "horse collar" rule and on punishing those who violate it. Trotter was penalized 15 yards for a personal foul.

Eagles defensive tackle Darwin Walker (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5100) was fined $5,000 for a personal foul against Redskins tailback Clinton Portis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5937) is the first quarter of last Sunday's game.
New York Jets (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nyj) linebacker Victor Hobson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6389) and San Francisco cornerback Shantae Spencer were each fined $7,500 for what was deemed excessive contact against quarterbacks in their respective games. A pair of St. Louis players, wide receiver Isaac Bruce (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2914) and center Richie Incognito (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7257), were fined $5,000 each for unnecessary roughness.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2667061

[Farmer808]

good for him, it would have been stupid if the NFL fined him

[56lightsout56]

think i'll make sure this is posted over on the bungles site too eh eh.

[Thunderstruck21]

i am glad he wasnt fined, he was just playing football it wasnt a cheap shot, he apoligised and he is remorseful, all in all i think the nfl did the right thing.

[bolthead123]

CBS still needs to fire Dierdorf for his lack of professionalism and objectivity.

[TCUFAN5]

i hate dan dierdorf... he is always being negative.. i hate that man..

[SP17BOLT]

I'm glad McCree didn't get fined, good for him.

[Wideout6]

Mccree just got too excited he didnt mean harm so its good he didnt get fined

[baphamet]

it was actually a great hit after watching the play closely and realizing it wasn't "dirty", what a shame it was early...if he would have timed it better it would have been a highlight.

[bolts12]

i dont think his hit was on purpose

[bolts12]

i agree if he would have let the ball get to him first then he would have had a better hit

[usnidc]

CBS still needs to fire Dierdorf for his lack of professionalism and objectivity.

They need to fire him because he just sux as a comentator...

[TJ21]

I knew he wouldn't be fined.

[THORjr.]

Dummy Dan is an idiot.

It wasnt a cheap shot. A cheap shot would be if the ball wasnt even thrown his way. Mcree's timing was simply off a bit. Also, if you watch the play carefully, the receivers head hit another Charger D back in the thigh on his way down AFTER Mcree hit him. I think that did most of the damage.

[56lightsout56]

i sent this email to our friend Dr Z:

I find it odd that the league indicated there was no helmet to helmet contact nor did he "launch" hemself at T.J.and he was cleared of any wrong doing on the play. would you care to issue a retraction (highly unlikely)or plead ignorce of the NFL rules and poor eyesight?

lets see what I get in return

[gusman20]

Upon further review, Godfrey's leg hit him in his noggin after mcree layed the wood to him and it was inadvertent.. Godfrey was dropping back in coverage and was running to the play and as he ran full speed his leg caught who is your mama in the head as he was running down the field.