Titans Jackie Battle Fined By NFL

Another day, another fine handed out by the NFL for an illegal hit. Titan’s fullback Jackie Battle was fined $21,000 by the league for leading with helmet last Sunday.

According to the league, Battle violated the new crown-of-helmet rule, which states a runner cannot lead with their helmet outside of the tackle box. During the Titans loss to the Texans, Battle did just that. Or did he?

Jackie Battle wasn’t flagged when the hit occurred and after the game the NFL ruled his hit was legal.

After taking a second look at the play again, the league has changed its mind. Now Battle will have to pay $21,000 for committing a penalty that he wasn’t flagged for. Confused? So is Battle.

A number of players and analysts are confused by the crown-of-helmet rule, actually. Former Colts head coach and current analyst Tony Dungy said, “I think it’s a problem for the officials when it takes the office a couple if days to decide if it’s foul. We need to make their jobs easier.”

The big problem for the NFL and Jackie Battle, is the tackle box is not clearly defined. During a game they deem the hit legal. Then the league analyzes the hit and determines Battle was outside the tackle box, and tehrefor gets a $21,000 fine.

The NFL’s official definition of the tackle box is, “the area on the field that extends laterally between the offensive tackles on either side of the offensive line. The tackle box is significant for both the offense and the defense.” Sounds simple enough that the league should be able to determine if a player is out of the tackle box almost instantly.

The debate will have to rage on.

Jackie Battle is the first player fined for violating the crown-of-helmet rule. You have to imagine Battle will appeal the fine on the grounds of, “huh?”

Do you think the NFL is going to far with fines this season?

[image via Wikimedia Commons]