IRVING, Texas -- The NFL is reviewing a play on which Cowboys tackle Flozell Adams shoved New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck in the back. It could result in another fine for Adams or even a suspension.
"Any altercation of that nature is reviewed for discipline," NFL spokesman Randall Liu confirmed Monday.
While such reviews may be routine, Adams has a history of run-ins with New York, including Week 2 this season when Tuck injured his shoulder after being tripped by Adams. The NFL fined Adams $12,500 for two plays in that game, and he was also fined for incidents in the games immediately before and after that.
Video clearly shows Adams shoving Tuck in the back at the end of the first half in New York's 31-24 victory Sunday. There was then a small melee between players from both teams on the New York sideline, and Adams was given a personal foul penalty though no yardage was marked off against Dallas at the start of the second half.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin said he had spoken with NFL director of officiating Mike Pereira about the play.
"He's already reviewed it with his staff, and they are in the process of discussing it. There was no option given to us (to accept a penalty). To say the penalty was declined gives the wrong impression," Coughlin said. "`That specific aspect of the rule has to be addressed. ... There was no eviction, no penalty, nothing."
Coughlin said he was told there wasn't any option because the penalty happened after the whistle had been blown, after a Giants player in the end zone fielded a missed field goal attempt and stepped out of bounds to end the half.
Adams, the Pro Bowl tackle who is also part of the kicking unit, pushed Tuck near the sideline at the end of that play.
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said Monday he didn't know all of the circumstances of what happened.
"I'm sure the league will take care of whatever they need to take care of, as we do ourselves," Phillips said, without elaborating. "I talked to Flozell (at halftime), and I asked him what happened. He told me what happened. We went from there."
Phillips refused to say what Adams told him. Adams was not in the locker room Monday when it was open to reporters.
Adams was fined $7,500 by the NFL after kicking at Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers in Week 3. He was docked $5,000 for an unnecessary roughness penalty in the opener at Tampa Bay before the first incidents with the Giants.
When asked if Adams should be suspended considering his history, Coughlin said that wasn't for him to decide.
"I think there is no place in our game for the act he took," Coughlin said. "To not have some kind of immediate officiating response -- that's just the way the rule is -- is not right."
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
