6 things about Brandon Meriweather, including all his fines and suspensions

EAST RUTHERFORD ‐ With the safety position in flux, the Giants had to dig deep for reinforcements. What they found was a troubled 31-year-old with an extensive disciplinary file.

The Giants signed Brandon Meriweather on Sunday after losing two safeties in their preseason opener. Rookie Mykkele Thompson (Achilles) is out for the season and rookie Landon Collins (knee) is likely out several weeks. \

Meriweather adds a body and experience. And a bit of controversy.

1. Meriweather played four seasons and made two Pro Bowls (2009-10) with the Patriots, but was cut prior to the 2011 season. It was a curious fall from grace.
As ESPN's Mike Reiss explained at the time:

"Meriweather's shaky status on the roster first came to the forefront when he played the entire first half of the preseason opener. He was the only Pro Bowler on the team to do so ..."

There didn't seem to be a reason for his release other than performance. Meriweather spent one season with the Bears and the past three with the Redskins.

2. Meriweather has six career safety-related violations that resulted in fines/suspensions.
-- Fined $50K for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Ravens tight end Todd Heap in 2010
-- Fined $20K after a Week 4 helmet-to-helmet hit on wide receiver Steve Smith in 2011
-- Fined $25K the following week for a late hit against the Detroit Lions
-- Fined $45K for a Week 2 helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers running back Eddie Lacy in 2013
-- Suspended for a game later that season after two illegal hits on Bears wide receivers Alshon Jeffrey and Brandon Marshall in a Week 7 contest.
-- Suspended the first two games in 2014 for an illegal preseason hit on Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith.

3. Probably isn't close with Marshall, who now plays for the Jets. After Marshall suggested that Meriweather be suspended or taken out of the league completely for his dirty play in 2013, Meriweather fired back.

"He feels like I need to be kicked out of the league. I feel like people who beat their girlfriends should be kicked out of the league, too," Meriweather said.

"You tell me who you'd rather have?" Meriweather added. "Someone who plays aggressive on the field or someone who beat up their girlfriend?"

4. Holds the University of Miami tackle record for a defensive back with 293. Some pretty good defensive backs (Bennie Blades, Sean Taylor, Antrel Rolle, etc.) played at Miami. 

5. Was involved in a shooting incident and stomped several times on an opposing player on the ground while at the University of Miami. He was suspended for he latter incident. 

6. Responded "I know I am" on Sunday to a question about whether he was still among the NFL's best safeties, according to quotes distributed by the Giants. He sure doesn't lack confidence for a player who was without a job until mid-August. 


(nj.com)