Saints Punter Morstead Fined for Facemask Tackle on Ted Ginn

[hepcat]

Didn't see this posted (if it has, please merge).  Saw it on ESPN's Saints blog this morning.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-orleans-saints/post/_/id/3300/saints-morning-report-brees-wins-state

 

Not off the hook: Saints punter Thomas Morstead said Wednesday that he was fined for the first time in his career because of his illegal (but touchdown-saving) tackle against return man Ted Ginn Jr. in the first quarter of Sunday night’s 31-13 win over the Carolina Panthers. Morstead essentially clotheslined Ginn in the helmet – then later tracked him down to apologize on the field. Although Morstead felt bad about the hit (and got a little dinged up himself), he was glad the Panthers ultimately settled for a field goal on that drive. 

[Dex]

Dirty fuging oddly shaped sodomite.

[KSpan]

As he should be.  I think the facemask was just a part of the tackle and don't believe he was intentionally trying to take Ginn's head off, but it was a very dangerous play. 

[Darth Biscuit]

Yep, he deserved a fine.

[the butch]

Other than hitting a referee or throwing punches, what are the other penalties players can be tossed for?

[PantherFanOne]

Saints punter Thomas Morstead deserved a stiff fine on that dangerous face mask penalty. It looked like Ted Ginn Jr could have gotten a serious neck injury from it. I wonder if he got the normal Mickey Mouse $7,500 fine or a much deserved larger one?

[WilmyWood]

Yep, he deserved a fine.

 

 

Absolutely.  He made Ginn pull a Linda Blair.

[Doyle]

If Nortman had done the same thing in a similar situation I wouldn't be upset.

[PantherBoy95]

Had this had been a defensive player I'd be pissed. It's a punter, trying to get any advantage possible (obviously a major injury would have me singing a different tone.)  I do think that it killed whatever momentum we possibly could have gained from that.

[GreatPoupon]

i was so angry when i saw this... he definitely deserved a fine. i think he shoulda gotten tossed from the game for that. i know Ron was pissed too. 

[beastson]

They did whatever they had to do to win. Next Sunday we better be extremely physical 

[PhillyB]

If Nortman had done the same thing in a similar situation I wouldn't be upset.

 

same, but ooooh it just makes me mad. we'd have gone up 10-0. that could've changed the tone of the game.

[Peppers90 NC]

that poo hurt my neck

[KSpan]

Other than hitting a referee or throwing punches, what are the other penalties players can be tossed for?

 

As demonstrated by Dante Wesley (though I don't believe he as trying to play dirty), drilling an unsuspecting punt returner before he catches the ball can earn an ejection.