Ninkovich Fined $15,000 for hit on Fitzpatrick
 Ninkovich was fined $15,000 this week. (FILE:Icon/SMI) |
It's certainly been an expensive start to the season for several Patriots players, and another one saw his first financial penalty of the season this week.
According to published reports, linebacker Rob Ninkovich was fined $15,000 by the NFL for a roughing-the-passer penalty against the Bills that occurred during the second quarter of last weeks loss to the Bills. On the play Ninkovich made helmet-to-helmet contact with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, which initially on the replay saw his head snap back, and obviously prompted the fine.
The play lead to an 11-yard touchdown pass from Fitzpatrick to Bills receiver Stevie Johnson, which ended up being the first touchdown that sparked Buffalo's comeback from a 21-0 deficit.
However, the Bills thankfully didn't escape unscathed. Buffalo linebacker Nick Barnett was fined $7,500 for unnecessary roughness after throwing running back Danny Woodhead to the ground at the end of a run. On the play, Barnett picked up Woodhead and drove him into the ground after the whistle, which fortunately didn't injure him.
As for the other Patriots fined recently, Andre Carter was fined $15,000 for his hit on Philip Rivers two weeks ago in their win over the Chargers, while Patrick Chung was fined $7,500 the week before for dragging Reggie Bush down by his helmet on a tackle during the Patriots opening night win down in Miami.
