I don't like this. First our guy was also being grabbed by the face mask on the play. Should've been offsetting penalties and if you eject one eject both. Did the other guy get fined? And how do you get fined for a play in a game that doesn't count? It was a practice game. Also, for a late round drafted rookie this could be very expensive. How do we have such a huge disparity in salaries yet they create some fine number that is supposed to represent fair punishment for the "crime?"
Like if me and Elon musk are driving over the speed limit and both get tickets would the fines be equal punishment for us? I would be crying and Musk would be laughing.
I'm not excusing the tackle itself. Very dangerous and they don't want these guys to break necks. But, the kid got thrown out of the game. If that had been a real game that would be embarrassing to the player and a big loss to the team.
One last thought. Do we know that the face masking was intentional? Trying to pull down a bigger stronger runner is tough for a smallish defender. Maybe he accidentally got hold of it and didn't realize it was his face mask while he was trying to tackle him while preventing a touchdown.
The reality is Kronke will probably pay the fine. McVay and his defensive coaches will go over the dangers of the play and teach better safe tackling. Life will move on. I'm grateful that Thomlinson didn't get suspended and therefore won't miss week one.
