NFL Wire Notes | Officials to get tough against flagrant hits
NEW YORK - The NFL has told its officiating crews to start ejecting players for flagrant helmet-to-helmet hits.
The new policy was outlined Saturday in a memo from supervisor of officials Mike Pereira, which was obtained by The Associated Press. It followed two fines last weekend for what the officiating department had determined were hits against players in defenseless positions.
One fine was against Washington Redskins safety LaRon Landry, who will forfeit a game check of $16,764 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on New York Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens. The other was against Philadelphia defensive tackle LeJuan Ramsey, who was fined his game check of $21,176 for spearing Dallas’ Julius Jones.
Two weeks ago, San Diego cornerback Drayton Florence was fined $15,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit that gave Houston quarterback Matt Schaub a concussion.
“Officials will be reminded this week to pay strict attention to these rules and disqualify the fouling player if the action is judged to be flagrant,” Pereira wrote in the memo sent to the 32 NFL teams. “Actions that involve flagrant helmet to helmet contact are the likely acts that will include disqualification. Our commissioner and this office remain very focused on the safety of our players.”
Williamson to get paid
MINNEAPOLIS - Grieving Troy Williamson will get his last paycheck after all.
Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress announced the change of heart after a weekly meeting with veteran players on his leadership committee.
The Vikings withheld Williamson’s check after he missed the game against San Diego last week to remain in South Carolina following the death of his grandmother.
“I think the important thing is everybody grieves differently,” Childress said. “That’s the thing that I learned, or we learned, in this. In the end, it’s not important to be right, but to get it right.”
Notes
• Concerned over the status of Vinny Testaverde, the Carolina Panthers promoted quarterback Drew Olson to the 53-man roster. If Testaverde, who has a sore right Achilles tendon, can’t play today against Atlanta, undrafted rookie Matt Moore would start and Olson would be the Panthers’ only option after Moore. Meanwhile, Atlanta receiver Joe Horn is questionable because of an ailing hamstring.
• Indianapolis receiver Marvin Harrison (bruised left knee) will miss tonight’s game in San Diego.