There were a couple of big hits on defenseless receivers during Monday night’s Saints slaughter of the Giants, but neither of them drew fines from the league office.
Tom Rock of Newsday reports that Saints defensive back Isa Abdul-Quddus and Giants safety Kenny Phillips were both given a free pass from the league office for their hits on Monday night. Abdul-Quddus’ hit was the subject of a lot of conversation because he appeared to be leading with his shoulder when he crushed Nicks to cause an incompletion. Many wondered what a defensive back is supposed to do when the alternative is letting a receiver catch a pass that hurts his team’s chances of winning. Jon Gruden railed against the flag for the hit in the ESPN booth, although replays showed that Abdul-Quddus’ helmet made contact with Nicks’ helmet.
Phillips laid out Saints tight end Jimmy Graham a short time later. His hit generated less conversation, but drew the same flag from the officials.
One player did get fined for an incident in the game, however. Saints corner Tracy Porter will fork over $7,500 for dragging Nicks down after the Giants receiver was well out of bounds following a catch. He was penalized during the game as well.
