ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

Tuck

When Giants defensive end Justin Tuck was flagged for a roughing-the-passer penalty on Brooks Bollinger last Sunday, no one in the press box could believe it. Tuck hit Bollinger as he threw the ball and then landed on top of him. After watching the replay numerous times, it's obvious there was nothing malicious about the play.

But that didn't prevent the league from fining Tuck $7,500, which he is now appealing. The amount of the fine is barely a dent in Tuck's salary, but that's not the point. He wants to challenge the fact that the league is asking defenders to go against everything they've been taught.

"You can't hit him in the head, you can't hit him below the knees," Tuck told the New York Times. "Obviously, you can't hit him hard, either."

Giants coach Tom Coughlin was livid after the call in the third quarter. Randall Liu, information manager for the NFC, said Tuck was fined because "he unnecessarily drove the opposing quarterback to the ground."

Hold on, let me grab my NFL rulebook. There it is, Rule 12, Sec. 2, Art. 12(2). "After wrapping up a quarterback, gently sit him down in a way that wouldn't be deemed impolite."

Honestly, Bollinger has to be one of the smallest quarterbacks in the league. Watching him crumple to the ground may have influenced the official's call, because if that hit is worth a fine, coaches will have to reteach defenders how to play the game.

Tuck won't win his appeal, but I'm glad he filed one. As the players' union has pointed out, the league would be better off appointing an independent arbitrator (like me for instance) to review these appeals.

I understand the league's mandate to protect quarterbacks, but the next step is to simply give them a special jersey. Watch that play again and let me know what defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is supposed to tell his players.

Update: Commissioner Roger Goodell has rescinded the fine