Eagles Notes: Atlanta's Dunta Robinson is fined for hit on Eagles' Jeremy Maclin

September 20, 2011|By Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer

Dunta Robinson was fined $40,000 by the NFL for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin on Sunday night, although the Atlanta cornerback was not suspended.

Robinson is a repeat offender when it comes to illegal tackles, with both instances coming against Eagles receivers. Last season, he knocked receiver DeSean Jackson unconscious with a blow, but one that appeared to be less egregious than Sunday night's.

Robinson was fined $50,000 for that hit, but the penalty was reduced to $25,000.

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Merton Hanks, NFL vice president of football operations, wrote in a letter to Robinson that "future offenses will result in an escalation of fines up to and including suspension."

Robinson and Falcons coach Mike Smith said they thought the hit didn't deserve a fine. The play drew a personal-foul penalty.

Maclin, who missed only a few plays after it, called the hit "dirty." Jackson said Robinson "likes to go for the kill shot."

 

Reid on Reid

After the 35-31 loss to Atlanta, Eagles fans weren't alone in questioning coach Andy Reid's play-calling. The coach wasn't happy with his decision-making, either, especially when backup quarterback Mike Kafka was forced into the game after Michael Vick suffered a concussion.

"I was way, way too conservative," Reid said. "I think that sent a message to our football team, and not a positive message."

Vick was injured with a little more than three minutes remaining in the third quarter, but with the Eagles facing first and goal at the 9. The Eagles scored when running back LeSean McCoy ran 2 yards to put the Eagles up, 31-21.

But on the next possession, facing second and 10, Kafka threw two consecutive passes well short of the first-down marker, and the Eagles were forced to punt. Later, facing third and 3 on the Atlanta 21, Kafka called an audible and threw a bubble screen to Maclin that lost a yard.

Reid also took responsibility for the Vick fumble in the second quarter when a pitch fake and attempted handoff to McCoy was thwarted by Falcons defensive tackle Peria Jerry. Vick lost the ball at the Falcons 4, and Atlanta end Ray Edwards recovered it and ran 64 yards the other way.

 

Injury update

Defensive end Juqua Parker suffered a high ankle sprain against the Falcons.

"I can't tell you how severe it is right now," Reid said. "He's got to get through this day here and we'll have a better idea.

Parker isn't the only Eagles end who is banged up. Trent Cole strained a hand tendon but "should be fine," Reid said. Darryl Tapp didn't practice last week because of a pectoral strain. Reid said he was healing.

Nevertheless, the Eagles may be forced to acquire an end or sign Daniel Te'o-Nesheim off the practice squad.

Tight end Brent Celek has a lower back strain and was scheduled for an MRI, Reid said Monday night during his show on WIP-AM (610).

Offensive line coach Howard Mudd, who has been walking with the assistance of a cane, will undergo hip-replacement surgery during the Eagles' bye week in late October, according to NBC's Sunday Night Football broadcast.

 


 

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