Jets safety fined $50K, suspended for hit on Cardinals’ Boldin
by The Associated Press on Sep. 30, 2008, under Sports
New York Jets' Kerry Rhodes (left) and Eric Smith sandwich Arizona Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin in the fourth quarter Sunday.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – New York Jets safety Eric Smith was suspended for one game by the NFL on Monday for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin.
Smith was also fined $50,000 by the league for what it called a flagrant violation of player safety rules. The NFL said Boldin was in a defenseless position when he was hit.
Boldin was resting at home Monday and fully mobile, a day after being carted off the field following the scary collision in the Cardinals’ 56-35 loss to the Jets at the Meadowlands. The team released no other information on Boldin’s condition.
Smith briefly lost consciousness after the play, and still felt “a little fuzzy.” He said he would try to reach Boldin and insisted there was no malicious intent.
“They just look at the end result, rather than everything that goes into the play,” Smith said of those who think it was a dirty hit. “I’m coming to break up a pass and if I don’t, it’s going to be a touchdown.”
The suspension will sideline Smith for the Jets’ game against Cincinnati on Oct. 12. New York has a bye this weekend. Earlier in the day, Smith said he would wait to hear from the league before deciding whether to appeal any suspension or fine.
With 0:27 left, Boldin tried to catch a pass from Kurt Warner in the end zone, but was hit in the back by Kerry Rhodes and then took a shot to his helmet from Smith. After being worked on for minutes, Boldin was immobilized and placed on a stretcher before he was carted off the field.
Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said he believed the hit violated the safety edict issued by commissioner Roger Goodell, but stopped short of calling for Smith to be suspended.
“It’s one of the hits that falls into the category of being dangerous to players,” he said. “I’m sure that the league is going to look at this and will address it.”
Packers QB wants to play
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers intends to play against Atlanta on Sunday despite a sprained shoulder that his coaches will be watching closely in practice.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy and his staff will spend this week monitoring Rodgers’ progress and preparing rookie backup Matt Flynn to start, just in case.
“I think Wednesday’s practice will be a pretty good indicator for us,” McCarthy said.
Around the league
RAMS: Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, named interim head coach after Scott Linehan was fired Monday, said: “We’re going to get this ship right . . . pull out all the stops and do whatever we have to do to win.” St. Louis is off Sunday and visits the Washington Redskins on Oct. 12.
JAGUARS: Offensive tackle Richard Collier, shot earlier this month, is paralyzed below the waist and had his left leg amputated. Collier, who had 14 bullet wounds, is in good condition after being previously listed in critical condition.
BENGALS: Quarterback Carson Palmer expects to be limited in practice this week by a sore elbow on his passing arm, but insists he’ll be ready for the next game against the Dallas Cowboys.
BILLS: Cornerback Terrence McGee needs more tests on his sprained left knee, leaving his status uncertain for the undefeated Bills’ game at Arizona.
JETS: Running back Jesse Chatman rejoined the Jets on Monday after being suspended four games without pay for violating the league’s steroids policy.
