5 day forecast
Steelers Notebook: Harrison, Ward hit with fines
Share with others:
Linebacker James Harrison was not the only Steelers player fined recently. Hines Ward was hit with one, too.
Ward received notice from the NFL that his pay will be docked $5,000 for what the league described as "unnecessary roughness" for his play against Baltimore Sept. 29 in Heinz Field.
What play, Ward wanted to know, because he never drew a penalty.
"That's what's so crazy about it," the Steelers' leading receiver said yesterday. "How do you not get penalized but you get a fine?
"It was on [cornerback] Corey Ivy, I think. I don't know. All I saw was the letter, $5,000 for unnecessary roughness."
Ward, regarded widely as the most vicious blocking wide receiver in the NFL, said he probably will not appeal the fine.
"What are you going to say, I was too rough?"
Big Ben backs Harrison
Harrison declined to comment on the $20,000 fine levied on him by the league for his remarks about referee Ron Winter after he called a penalty for roughing Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard Sunday. Harrison merely pointed to the wall in the Steelers' locker room where he posted the letter he received informing him of his fine.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has been on the other side of many such hits, did not think Harrison should have been penalized.
"It is hard to stop a guy who is that strong, powerful and fast. It's hard to comment on it because you have to be careful of what you say. My personal opinion: I didn't think it was a late hit and I usually stand up for quarterbacks. I think if you ask David Garrard, I don't think he would tell you it was a late hit. But they called it, and that is what it is."
A busy doctor
While the Steelers enjoy a rest this weekend without a game, one of their team doctors plans a little exercise.
Dr. Joe Maroon of UPMC, the team's longtime neurosurgeon, will compete in his sixth international Ironman Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii, Saturday. The Ironman includes a 2.4-mile ocean swim, a 112-mile bicycle race and ends with a 26.2-mile marathon run.
Dr. Maroon is 68 years old.
He has competed in more than 50 triathlons and keeps a strict physical training and nutrition regimen while maintaining his neurological practice. He also has written a book on anti-aging that will be published in January.
Quick hits
Coach Mike Tomlin put his players through a one-hour practice yesterday, then gave them off until Monday. Many did not practice, including Roethlisberger, Ward, kicker Jeff Reed, linebacker James Farrior, running back Willie Parker and offensive tackle Marvel Smith. All should be ready to play Oct. 19 in Cincinnati. ... Roethlisberger's 300-yard game against Jacksonville was his fifth in the regular season, but he also had one in the postseason against Jacksonville in January. The victory, however, was only his second when he topped 300 yards. His previous 300-yard game in a victory came against the New York Giants Dec. 18, 2004. It also was the 10th time he has thrown for three touchdowns, nine in the regular season.
First Published October 9, 2008 12:00 am
