By now most of you have probably already seen the Cortland Finnegan vs Andre Johnson fight (if you haven't check it out here). After being provoked all game by the Titan CB, Andre Johnson flipped in the fourth quarter. During the fight managed he to rip Finnegan's helmet off and get a couple of good shots at his head. The NFL's reaction to this fight was $25,000 fines for both players involved but withhold suspensions. My reaction was that this seemed like a fair enough penalty to Johnson's outburst but that it was about time someone whooped Cortland's ass!
Including his latest, Finnegan has already accumulated 4 fines this year, from the NFL, for his in game actions. According to the Tennessean, it brings his total up to $45,000. Some people have tried to defend Cortland by saying that the illegal hits and personal fouls are just unfortunate side effects that come along with someone playing that hard. This many fines does not happen to guys that are just playing hard. You do not accidentally continue to rake up the personnel fouls week after week. While on the field, Finnegan is one of the biggest bastards in the NFL. He ranks right up there with the Pittsburgh Steelers terrible twosome of Jerome Harrison and Hines Ward.
Finnegan's controversial style of play isn't a new thing. The Titans fifth year CB has been pestering opposing players with his dirty play ever since he came into the league in 2006. This was at least his third incident against the Texans. In 2008 he was fined $25,000 for two vicious hits on QB Matt Schaub; and last season Finnegan managed to piss off the Texan's WR corps so much that one on play Andre Johnson threw him to the ground by the facemask and later Jacoby Jones threw a punch on the sidelines. The Titan's defensive back doesn't just reserve his dirty play for the Houston team. In 2008 he was involved in a fight with Reche Caldwell then of the Rams. In that same year he had an altercation with his own teammate. During a game against the Ravens, Finnegan screamed at the then defensive team captain Keith Bulluck. His notorious reputation dates back even further. After the 2007 season, in an ESPN story, respected WR Brandon Stokley also singled out Cortland Finnegan as a player with bad intentions.
When, like Cortland Finnegan, you constantly talk trash, shove guys in the face, tackle them late and resort to numerous other kinds of dirty play you are basically being a bully. Most players are going to shrug it off. They dont want to succumb to it. This is the right thing to do. The NFL is going to fine the offenders. The monetary penalties are designed to discourage these perpetrators.
However, money does not talk to all players. Take Cortland Finnegan (or James Harrison who has been fined $125,000 already this year). When the punishment for a dirty play does not discourage a player, that punishment is failing. Sometimes, someone just has to stand up and give that cheap player a taste of their own medicine. This is exactly what Andre Johnson did. He took matter into his own fists and tried to teach that little punk Cortland Finnegan a lesson.
Sources: The Tennessean, Yahoo Sports, ESPN
Personally, I don't care how dirty Cortland Finnegan is, the behavior of both of these players is inexcusable. The fact that both were fined less than players and coaches get fined for complaining about officiating is ridiculous. There is absolutely no way that both players shouldn't have been suspended for at least 2 games, showing me that the NFL's disciplinary procedure is worthless.
ReplyDeleteBut there was a really big important game on thursday night football on the NFL network. Andre Johnson needed to play to make it interesting!
ReplyDeleteIt's ridiculous that that is probably the real reason neither were suspended, but that is how the NFL works. It's Colin Campbell-esque (look at the NHL's disciplinary history).
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