For the second time in three seasons, Jets safety Eric Smith is being punished by the league for over-agressive play.
A league source tells NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora that Smith has been fined $7,500 for unnecessarily striking a defenseless receiver. The play in question was Smith's hit on New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker during the first quarter of New York's 28-14 win on Sunday. Welker was slow to get up following the play, but later returned to to the game.
Smith was suspended one game and fined $50,000 for a "flagrant violation of player safety rules" for a play involving receiver Anquan Boldin in 2008. Boldin, then with the Arizona Cardinals, fractured his paranasal sinuses on a helmet-to-helmet collision with Smith and eventually missed two games.
The NFL handed down other fines on Friday:
» A league source tells La Canfora that Broncos cornerback Perrish Cox was fined $7,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct. Cox made a throat slashing gesture after intercepting a pass by Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselback on Sunday.
» Cardinals free safety Kerry Rhodes has also been fined $2,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct after making unnecessary contact with an official, according to a league source. The Arizona Republicreported on Wednesday that Rhodes apologized to his coaches for the first unsportsmanlike conduct penalty he received in Sunday's 41-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Rhodes was ejected following the second foul of the game.
Rhodes felt the second penalty was unfair, but was contrite about making contact with the official, saying he was just trying to get his attention.
"I wouldn't hit the ref or doing anything else," he said. "I'm not that type of player."
» The Sacramento Beereported on Friday that San Francisco 49ers linebacker Parys Haralson was fined $5,000 for hitting New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees in the head and neck area on Monday night. Haralson drew an unnecessary roughness penalty on the play.
