Edelman fined $26K for block on Cardinals' Bucannon in season opener

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FOXBORO – The vicious blindside block Julian Edelman delivered to Cardinals linebacker Deone Bucannon in the first quarter of Sunday night’s game is going to cost him.

Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston reports the hit resulted in a $26,000 fine for Edelman. Reiss reports that Edelman will appeal the fine.

Edelman was blocking downfield on a screen pass to James White. Bucannon was in pursuit, closer to the line of scrimmage than Edelman. When White reversed field, Bucannon began to turn 180 degrees. Edelman, facing his own goal line, left his feet and made helmet-to-helmet contact in an effort to get Bucannon out of the play/send him to Pluto. 

There were just eight penalties handed out last year for blindside blocks.

The NFL instituted the rule banning them in 2009 thanks in large part to Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward’s penchant for nearly decapitating defenders in pursuit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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