No suspensions in NFL brawl

[Da Coach]

The NFL has surprised most people with their announcement there will be no suspensions in the wild fight between Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans and Cortland Finnegan of the Tennessee Titans. This was one of the the most violent fights, including multiple punches by each player, I ever recall seeing in the NFL between 2 players, so count me among those who think these 2 players should have gotten at least a 1-game suspension or more. In every other sport (except hockey where it might get a 5 minute penalty) it would have merited suspensions.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/johnson-finnegan-fined-25johnson-finnegan-fined-25-758179.html

BTW, it's not just the NFL that seems to be going soft on fighting. The Texans coach Gary Kubiak awarded the game ball to Johnson after the game.

http://www.current-movie-reviews.com/sports/2010/11/29/andre-johnson-a-hero-coach-gives-him-a-game-ball/

[Future Walk-On]

so happy about this as my fantasy team needs AJ.

AJ would have killed him if this wasn't broken up.

[houstontxbrave]

I think the NFL is doing a couple of things here.

One is they dont want to suspend Johnson before the game on NFL network on Thursday between Houston and Philadelphia.

2nd just like Coach said they are going soft on fighting. Just like Seymour a few weeks ago punching the Pittsburgh QB and not getting a suspension they are simply making a punch a lesser offense then tackling when leading with the helmet. You do that and your fine is bigger. But in either instance the chance of getting a suspension is ZERO.

So, does this mean that the NFL/Union says look a fine is one thing, its essentially nothing to a majority of players, but missing a game check that is huge. So fining is ok but suspending is not going to happen.

I personally think a fight is going to happen when you play a violent sport, but in this PC world we live in I can not believe that a punch thrown does not get at least a one game suspension. I guess if there isnt a bone broken ie no blood no foul, the fine is what happens.