Romanowski Appeals Fine

Denver Broncos linebacker Bill Romanowski will appeal a $10,000 fine assessed by the NFL for his helmet shot to Tampa Bay quarterback Trent Dilfer.

Although Romanowski declined comment on the matter Thursday, his head coach confirmed the appeal.

"He's going to appeal it," Mike Shanahan said. "There wasn't a hit to the head. The question is where was the crown of the helmet and the definition (of an illegal hit) more than anything else."

"It was really a fine line. It wasn't a hit to the head or anything; it was a hit to the shoulder pad. A lot of guys have been hitting this way for a long time."

Romanowski hit Dilfer in the third quarter on Sunday after the quarterback released a pass.

NFL rules prohibit a player from using his "helmet or face mask to violently and unnecessarily butt, spear or ram an opponent."

After viewing videotape of the incident, the league announced a $10,000 fine on Wednesday. It came one week after Romanowski was fined $5,000 for a hit on Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez.

Romanowski wasn't penalized by game officials on either play.

Asked if Romanowski, who has a reputation for aggressive play and a history of being fined, was being watched more closely because of his reputation, Shanahan said: "They're watching everybody now. They're trying to prevent injuries, especially the serious injuries. If there's any question about it, they fine you. It's up to you to appeal it."

"Any time they have a TV copy like they do and they can isolate on Bill, I think there's a lot more shots of Bill than there are of a normal person. So any time they get a lot of one-on-one coverage and they get it on videotape, you're going to have more of a chance to get fined."

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