Rant: What Is The Point of NFL Fines?

by Brandon on Oct 24, 2009 2:29 PM CDT in News Comment 8 comments

At the bottom of this post from the Press-Gazette is an update about the fines handed out from the Lions game:

Daryn Colledge was fined $5,000 for unnecessarily striking an opponent late. Donald Driver was fined $5,000 for an illegal blindside block to the head and neck area. Nick Barnett was fined $7,500 for a facemask. Spencer Havner was fined for a horse-collar tackle.

I don't recall if Havner was flagged for that tackle, but I know the other 3 players all were flagged for a 15 yard penalty. I'm not trying to sound like a union rep. or an agent, but why are they getting penalized twice?

The only good reason I've come up with is that's it's a second reminder of the unnecessary conduct. Maybe every player clearly sees it on his paystub, or has to sign an acknowledgment. But I would expect a clear second reminder is when the player is chewed out by a coach during film review during the week.

This isn't some big revenue source for the NFL either, all the fines are donated to charity.

I don't see how a $7,500 fine is going to stop facemask penalties from happening. It's also not a big blow to most of the NFL millionaires, although Havner's poor by NFL standards. It just seems like a pointless PR exercise by the NFL.

It's also possible that fines make bad actors act out. So says Mark Cuban:

"Getting fined for pulling out a pen, or fake mooning is only going to bring more visibility and marketability to the person who did it," Cuban wrote. "Players know it and that's why they do it. Dennis Rodman was the expert at it. It's not about whether the fine will have a negative financial impact, it's about whether the fine can have a positive impact."

0 recs | Comment 8 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

the fines are getting a bit rediculous..

a face mask is going to happen when your running one way and the other guy is running the other you grab whatever you can, and it just so happens that the facemask is an easy thing to grab on to.

The DD fine and flag I still laugh at. It wasnt as bad as a Hines Ward hit but come on give the man props for completely taking a 300+ DL off his feet. And the call was kinda BS it was after Rodgers slid but they were almost bang bang plays and DD probably already had it in his mind he was throwing that block.

But how about the 10K fine for ochocinco! A chin strap!! Although anything with Chad has now been blown up tremendously but come on a chin strap it may have been purely on accident or on purpose it is still only a chin strap!

by bizzle4 on Oct 24, 2009 4:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

the fines

are made to stop players from doing something completely unnecessary that could seriously injure another player. Although if they’re going to fine someone, that’s ok with me. Make it a small fine like these, but when players repetiatly continue to do stupid plays with the only harm being a potential penalty if the ref saw it and a 7k fine when they’re making millions… if they’re going to purposely play bush-league, those tiny fines aren’t going to stop them

see: Jared Allen

by uofmike on Oct 24, 2009 6:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Profit for the league

The end.

Be cool, and relax. Take a breath, take ten paces back.

The coolest motherfunker on the planet.

by Dikembe Meiztombo on Oct 24, 2009 6:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well no

As the article says, the money doesn’t go to the league…

by rudi on Oct 24, 2009 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its to try and stop the Packers from cheating

They probably put in the fines for teams like you. Teams that have to cheat in order to win. I think the fines should be higher. Your players would be broke. Cant wait for our next matchup. Another victory for the Vikes. And remember silly packers, No Cheating!!

"You thought you could beat my team, but yours decided to go have ice cream. Bow to my awesomeness" Brad Childress

by packerslayer on Oct 24, 2009 11:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

I love satire!

"Brandon Jennings needs a nickname before he gives himself one. Oh wait, Young Money, he already did."

by Mitchell_M on Oct 25, 2009 12:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What a tool

LOL. Only a Minnesotan could come up with an answer like that. LMAO!

by Jabooty on Oct 25, 2009 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

With all due respect

I am surprised that anyone still treats these fines as if they were intended to stop any conduct. The NFL has been getting criticized for decades now for talking out of both sides of the mouth— on one hand, putting on a show about cleaning up late and excessive plays, while marketing those very same plays for profit.

If something is easy to solve (especially if we common people can see the solutions), then at some point the failure to solve it becomes intentional. Actions speak louder than words.

by NYCPac on Oct 24, 2009 11:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs