FIDDYDEUCE 81 Posted October 14, 2011 (edited) Rice told 105.7 The Fan that he was fined $7,500 for a stiff arm against the Rams. Video of the play is here, and although it was actually Rams cornerback Bradley Fletcher who was called for a facemasking penalty on the play, Rice also grabbed Fletcher’s facemask, and that’s why Rice was fined. Fining an offensive player for grabbing a defensive player’s facemask during a stiff arm isn’t unprecedented: Devin Hester, Joe Webb and Kevin Ogletree are among the players who have previously been fined for the same infraction. But Rice’s fine is a reminder of one of the ways the game has changed. One of my favorite NFL Films features is this celebration of the stiff arm, which includes dozens of images of running backs sticking their hands in the faces of their opponents. “The game has changed, but the stiff arm remains what it’s always been: A tough and trusty tool,” narrator Steve Sabol says. But it’s not just a tough and trusty tool anymore. Now it can also be a penalty. PFT Edited October 14, 2011 by Irishcoffee Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Patriots2994 43 Posted October 14, 2011 Stiff arms are an important part of the game to a RB. This could cause some problems later in the season from less mature RB's talking trash about being fined. Watch out for issues stemming from this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted October 14, 2011 If the RB uses the facemask to throw someone to the ground, ala Plaxico, (yes I know he's a WR, but still work for my example), that's one thing. Otherwise... Seriously is there any penalty that the NFL doesn't fine for anymore? This would be like the NBA fining its players for a hard foul to keep someone from scoring. It's part of the game, quit fining people for it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted October 14, 2011 lol ridiculous fines 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted October 14, 2011 Next thing you know, the NFL is going to start fining people for false starts. Of course, the entire Bears offensive line would go bankrupt in short order. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
funnygunny 521 Posted October 15, 2011 NFL is slowly but surely becoming the pussiest sport in the world. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bangy 19 Posted October 16, 2011 NFL is slowly but surely becoming the pussiest sport in the world. No no no there is still and always will be soccer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glanvilles Grits 142 Posted October 16, 2011 Stiff arms are an important part of the game to a RB. This could cause some problems later in the season from less mature RB's talking trash about being fined. Watch out for issues stemming from this. He yanked his facemask. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
