Broncos' Von Miller Fined $25k For Hit On Sanchez
NEW YORK (AP) — Eight days after a sensational performance against the New York Jets, Denver linebacker Von Miller was fined $25,000 for roughing the passer in that game.
The rookie pass-rusher was confused Friday about which hit got him in trouble. He said his letter from the league noted he was getting docked for hitting quarterback Mark Sanchez in the chest, although he suspected the fine was actually for a late hit in which he struck Sanchez in the back.
"The hit that has all the controversy was the one where I hit him in the back a couple of seconds late," Miller said. "On that play, my shoulder hit him in the back. I'm kind of foggy about which hit it was. I'm sure it's one of them.
"I'm not saying that I didn't commit a hit that I should be fined for, because I did get to him a couple of times, but that's part of the game now," Miller said. "It's all about player safety and I don't have anything to say about player safety. We've got to make adjustments to take the quarterback down in other ways."
It's Miller's second infraction this month. He also was fined $15,000 for hitting Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer in the chin three weeks ago.
Miller's was one of several fines the league handed down Friday.
San Francisco safety Dashon Goldson was fined $25,000 by the NFL on Friday for punching Arizona receiver Early Doucet in last Sunday's game. Doucet was fined $10,000 for unnecessary roughness when he struck Goldson in the helmet area. Goldson then threw his punches.
At the end of a play early in the fourth quarter, Goldson was down away from the ball when he got blindsided and slapped on the back of the helmet by Doucet. Goldson jumped up, confronted him and both began swinging wildly. Goldson then threw a series of punches to Doucet's facemask and received a 15-yard personal foul penalty before being ejected.
Seattle safety Kam Chancellor was fined $40,000 for unnecessary roughness against Rams tight end Lance Kendricks. The previous week, Chancellor was docked $20,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit against Baltimore wide receiver Anquan Boldin.
Philadelphia receiver-kick returner DeSean Jackson was fined $10,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct; he flipped the ball toward Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell after a 50-yard reception.
"When that incident happened I just thought that it was a hotly contested game at that moment and I just thought he made an error in judgment," Fewell said. "He was just excited about the catch and I think he probably just did it by mistake. I don't think he did anything intentionally.
"It shocked me. I was surprised by it, but it wasn't about me and it wasn't about him at that time."
Eagles DT Trevor Laws was fined $7,500 for unnecessary roughness; he struck Giants QB Eli Manning late and away from the play after an Eagles interception.
Miami's Tyrone Culver was fined $20,000 for unnecessary roughness for striking a defenseless player, Buffalo receiver Stevie Johnson, in the head and neck area.
Miller, the second overall draft pick had his best game yet in the Broncos' 17-13 win over the Jets, making 10 tackles, nine solo, three tackles for loss, 1½ sacks, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
Now he's got a $25,000 fine to go with it.
"I mean, it stings, but it really doesn't hurt that much, because I play the game for my teammates," Miller said.
And some of those teammates were bemused by Miller's latest run-in with the league's disciplinarians.
"The league is so touchy-feely what we can and cannot do running full-speed, so there's no use in me sitting here and going on a tantrum on what we can and can't do," safety Brian Dawkins said. "We just have to go out and play full-speed and whatever happens, happens."
Miller said that while he'll try to adjust his tackling technique, he won't be holding back.
"I'm definitely going to keep playing with fanatical effort and relentless pursuit to the ball," he said. "As far as hits ... I've just got to make those adjustments so I don't get fined."
