Patriots Vince Wilfork fined $12,500 for Low Hit on Losman

by tommasse on Sep 27, 2007 9:09 PM EDT in New England Patriots News

Wilfork Fined $12,500 for Low Hit
Bills Losman Says Penalty Not Enough

New England Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork was fined $12,500 by the NFL on Thursday for a low hit on Buffalo Bills quarterback J.P. Losman on the first play from scrimmage of New England's 38-7 win over the Bills on Sunday.

Wilfork was blocked into Losman, but had his right elbow extended, which connected with Losman just below his left knee. Wilfork refuted that the hit was a cheap shot.

"A lot of people say that was a cheap shot," Wilfork said on the NFL Network before being notified of the fine. "I'm far from a dirty player. If you know me as a person, you'd understand that. If you don't know me, don't judge me. If you don't know me, get to know me."

Meanwhile, Losman is complaining that Wilfork got off easy.

"I know there are some people that are saying that he deliberately did this and if that's the case then I don't think it's enough," Losman said. The fine "is really nothing, but I really don't know what a proper punishment would be."

Wilfork said he is trying to contact Losman to apologize.

"I've got some friends on that team," Wilfork said. "I'll try to talk to him as a person and let him know how I feel about the whole situation." Losman says he wants none of it.

"I don't think there's an apology needed," said Losman. "I'm not looking for an apology. At this point the damage is done. An apology will do nothing at this point."

Poll

Wilfork's $12,500 fine for a low hit on J.P. Losman is ...

... too severe.

19 votes

... about right.

16 votes

... too lenient.

17 votes

52 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

From a Bills Fan

I don't think Losman is saying anything that should offend Pats fans. If anything Wilfork benefits from the Bills bad luck this season. With a team is so decimated by injuries, this simply becomes one injury among many for the Bills. If this was THE injury of the season, the reaction would likely be more heated. Imagine if the Bills did this to Brady and ask yourself if a slap on the wrist would be enough. In the end I guess sh*t happens especially when you're playing against cheaters: I'm kidding! Kidding!

by Zumone on Sep 28, 2007 9:01 AM EDT reply actions

Good point....

I have to agree, If indeed this happend to Brady the New England fan base would certainly be screaming bloody murder. Fortunately it didn't....I feel for you Billls fans. The whole team is decimated by injuries not to mention your TE/ST nearly died on the field! You have a feature RB in Mr. Lynch though. He looks like he will be good for some time. All of New England is praying for Kevin. Good luck, and good point.

by davidjohhn2 on Sep 28, 2007 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

True

And if, in fact, it was an intentional hit, Losman would be right -- that's a small fine for an intentional hit that takes out another team's starting QB for three games.

by RSNexile on Sep 28, 2007 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting poll result

So far:

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by tommasse on Sep 28, 2007 10:12 AM EDT reply actions

Video of the hit

Look at the slow motion portion of this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3POT8n2Qk3g

I think that if Wilfork hadn't been hit in the back with a Bill wrapped around his feet then Losman wouldn't have been hurt.

by Elementalxposure on Sep 30, 2007 12:07 PM EDT reply actions

Bills GM Marv Levy undecided; updated poll result

I think most people who watch the video agree that Wilfork was blocked/pushed/whatever, but whether Wilfork took aim with his elbow or whether he was trying to put an arm on Losman above the waist is the subject of debate.

Wilfork probably would have hit Losman either way, and whether it was a late hit is hard to determine. I don't think the Patriots had any intent to take out Losman. If the goal is to take out an opposing quarterback, Losman probably wouldn't be high on the list.

I think if the league can determine that the hit was unquestionably intentional, the penalty should be that the aggressor should miss as many games as the injured player.

A whole season? Absolutely -- IF the hit is unquestionably intentional. I don't think you have that here, and Buffalo Bills general manager Marv Levy seems to agree:

When I saw what happened, I was irate. But I've looked at the film countless times to see if there was propulsion from another player that sent him into that position at that speed. It's hard to tell. I'm not going to throw forth an accusation. I can't say it was an obvious dirty play.

It looks like our readers are undecided as well: