Howard Fined In Ex-Cougar Collision

Marvin Washington pretty much knew it was coming. Erik Howard got a $12,000 shock.

Both New York Jets defensive linemen were fined $12,000 Thursday by the NFL for illegal hits on St. Louis quarterbacks.

Linebacker Marvin Jones was fined $7,500 for a hit against Seattle’s Rick Mirer.

Howard was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Mark Rypien on Sunday. Howard was stunned he was fined after not being penalized on the play. He even claimed he and Rypien were kidding around after the play; the two were teammates at Washington State.

“It came as such a shock,” Howard said of the fine. “If I had intentionally done it, I might not have been so shocked.

“The only way I could have avoided contact with him was if I was to sprout wings and fly.”

All three players said they were going to appeal. Washington and Howard threatened legal action through the players association.

The players have 10 days to notify NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue of their appeals. The league then would hold a hearing.

Washington who was ejected from Sunday’s game against the Rams for a helmet-on-helmet hit on Chris Miller, who suffered a concussion.