Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict escapes this time.
The polarizing linebacker has been a hot topic since Sunday, where he committed two questionable plays during a blowout at the hands of the New England Patriots.
One saw Burfict apparently stomp on New England running back LeGarrette Blount, with the action prompting a hefty fine from the league office, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio:
Our own Zac Jackson reports that Burfict has been fined $75,000 for his stomp of Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount. Burfict will appeal the punishment.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss captured the aftermath:
On the day Vontaze Burfict is fined $75k for stomp of RB LeGarrette Blount, here in locker room Blount has a bandage on lower right leg.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 19, 2016
Former head of NFL officials Mike Pereira suggesting the league has no “guts” if it only gives Burfict a fine makes a whole lot of sense now.
Funnily enough, the debatable stomp is really nothing compared to the low hit Burfict delivered to tight end Martellus Bennett:
Vontaze Burfict going low on Bennett. Seemed unnecessary but what do I know. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/4DWnqa76TD
— Will D. (@WAD1980) October 16, 2016
Burfict won’t see a punishment for that move because the league doesn’t much care about low shots to receivers.
The NFL won’t hold back the next time Burfict does something questionable. This is a warning shot, and given Burfict’s behavior and earned reputation, he’s on the thinnest ice possible. If the Bengals keep struggling to stay in games and the AFC North, it seems more drama will pop up right around the corner.
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