Guess who thought Ed Reed's fine was excessive

Somebody thinks the $55,000 fine levied on Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed for hitting New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz on Sunday was excessive.
And it's not Reed.

"I think it's pretty steep. It's a pretty hefty fine, but it wasn't my decision," Cruz told reporters Friday. "It wasn't anything I could do about it, but I think that's a pretty hefty fine, to say the least."

Reed delivered a shoulder to Cruz's head as Cruz turned upfield after making a catch. The league deemed that an unnecessary blow to the head and neck area.

Three safeties – Reed, the Atlanta Falcons' Chris Hope and the Pittsburgh Steelers' Will Allen – have been fined for hits on Cruz this season. The fines add up to $92,875.

"I guess dancing a little salsa in the end zone has been prosperous," Cruz said, though it's not like he receives the money. "Nobody likes to see the salsa man get hurt, so I don't know what it is."

Of Reed's fine, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said, "Obviously, the system is not perfect."

"The motivation is correct and the idea is right," Harbaugh added. "It's still a work in progress. Like I said before, our guys are doing everything they can. I'm really proud of our guys [with] the way that they've responded to try to play within the rules and respect player safety.

"Sometimes it's easier said than done, but they are doing their best."

Reed was suspended for one game earlier this season for a blow to a defenseless receiver, but won an appeal and had the punishment changed to a $50,000 fine.

Reed and Cruz agreed the hit was legal following Sunday's 33-14 Ravens win. Reed, 34, was hoping to avoid suspension after being flagged for a 15-yard penalty on the play.

"I don't know what is going to come of it. I had the referee whispering into my ear on the second play," Reed said. "All I like to do is play the game. I talked to Troy Aikman before the game about this – him and Joe Buck. They asked me how my game changed. I don't really know what to do with it. I thought it was a decent hit."


(usatoday.com)