The Panthers aren’t happy with Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict. The Panthers contend -- fully supported by indisputable visual evidence -- that Burfict twisted the ankles of quarterback Cam Newton and tight end Greg Olsen at the conclusion of plays during Sunday’s 37-37 tie.
Per a league source, Burfict will be fined a total of $25,000 for the infractions. Burfict wasn’t penalized during the game.
Olsen has called for Burfict to be suspended. While that usually doesn’t happen unless a player has an extended history of on-field violations, post-whistle misconduct can result in severe repercussions, if egregious (Ndamukong Suh stomping on the arm of Evan Dietrich-Smith) and/or injurious (Albert Haynesworth stomping with a cleat on the exposed forehead of Andre Gurode).
For Burfict, the fines put him a step closer to suspension, if similar conduct occurs in the future. That probably won’t be enough to placate the Panthers -- and it definitely won’t do anything to erase the perception that Burfict is a dirty player.