If you saw the play Sunday, you can't forget it. Smith out-jumped Jabari Greer for the ball at the Saints' 30. Greer fell down, which left Smith coasting into the end zone for the last few yards and a touchdown. Harper came and blasted No.89 three yards deep in the end zone, drawing a 15-yard penalty and igniting a full-scale brawl.
Was $15,000 enough? I would say no, not quite, although I'm glad the NFL took action here. Other hits sometimes draw bigger fines from the NFL, and this one should have.
While Smith wasn't entirely in "defenseless receiver" mode when he got hit, it was close. And someone else easily could have been hurt in the resulting scuffle that Panther coach Ron Rivera said he was "very pleased with" at his Monday news conference.
"We are not going to take it," Rivera said. "Like I said before, we may be the little brothers and we may get punched around a little bit but we are not going to take it. We are going to fight back. I was very proud of them for that."
Harper did not apologize after the game for hitting Smith, saying: "If you're going to score, go score. But a guy is not going to try and just walk it in on us like that. You're going to have to pay for it as you get past the goal line."
Now Harper is the one paying.
Smith, who did not immediately fight after the hit but later got locked up with another Saint in the ensuing scuffle, said after the game of Harper's hit: "I don’t really understand it, the reason why. But that’s his game. That’s his thing, him personally, he wants to intimidate.
"You know I wanted to respond," Smith continued. "I just took the high road and then all of a sudden the other guys came down there and I was right in the thick of it… People say I’m unpredictable. But I’ve grown up a little bit."
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53 comments:
Harper is a dead man
I recall a quote from steve smith a few years back
“Poppa don’t lose no fights when the kids are around”
maybe he didn't fight Harper cause the kids weren't there? anyone know this?
loved that the team came down, that was good football.
No, it was not enough.
Rivera should put a bounty on Harper's sorry keister for the next game. Players would love that.
I'm liking coach.
Based on the embarassment #89 gave to the other Saint's player that was "Runnin they mouf", I'd say the Panther's came out on top. When you get thrown to the ground by your face mask and then drug around by a guy half your size on national TV....#SteveSmithWinning.
The amount of the fine should depend on his salary. It should be enough to hurt a little.
Hey Harper, you hit like a girl. Next time try throwing your purse at Smith to try to stop him from scoring. sissy!
Harper WILL get his the first day of 2012!
Harper WILL get his the first day of 2012!
Here's hoping we go after Harper down in New Orleans.
they went light on him since he was born in Alabama. poor guy.
Steve shouldv'e gotten up and pointed to #89
if you don't want people walking it in on you......your only option is to try and stop it. if you can't, trot back to the bench and try to make a play the next time.
Considering the fact he wasn't ejected - as well as his comments after the game - he should have been suspended next week. That brawl was Harper's fault; you couldn't see it on camera but Steve's teammates were running in to defend him after that classless hit.
It's obvious the league is not interested in protecting it's players that don't play the QB position (particularly those not named Manning or Brady)
anything less than Harper being rolled off on a stretcher in the next game is too little punishment.
Not enough. Add a zero to teh end, that'll get his attention.
Payback is a b!+ch, Harper...
Smith's style is to punch a teammate who's kneeling down. He knew better than to mess w/ Harper.
Hi Rom Harper do not forget that the Panthers will be playing your saints in the last game of the season.Make sure to hire bodyguard for that game because after what you did to Steve Smith on Sunday.I have a feeling that Steve Smith will kick your ass when the panthers play your saints in the last game of the season
The Panthers will begin their winning streak this Sunday in Atlanta. Go Panthers.
Harper should have been suspended. The way he and Ingram acted in the endzone was classless. I expect better from a team two years removed from a Super Bowl victory.
No, $15K was not enough. I'll say what my mama always told me. "Don't go looking for a fight, but if you are ever in a fight you had better finish it". By that she meant I had better beat the you know what out of the other person.
Fine not enough, and Saints were not hurt at all. Penalty gave Panthers 15 yds more on the kickoff, which doesn't matter since kickoffs are going into the end zone anyway. NFL needs to find a better penalty, maybe 15 yds on ensuing first down.
Best thing that could happen is Smith take his sorry butt out in Jan, when the Panthers are out of the playoff mix, and Saints are in. Either hurt him, or make him do something stupid to get suspended.
I foresee some nice chop blocks coming his way.
I'm a Saints fan, and I don't like what Harper did, and expected him to be fined. HOWEVER, Why wasn't Steve Smith fined for the way he jerked Jenkins up from the turf by his face mask? Others have been fined for less! And, I think it's funny how Panther fans are aghast at the late hit on "Smitty", but didn't seem so offended by "Smitty" when he punched his own team mate! Panther fans were ready to forgive that bit of thuggery. Personally, I think punching a team mate is far worse than being body checked during a game! Steve Smith is a junk-talking punk, and I'll bet there are plenty of other NFL players who would gladly body check him if they thought they would get away with it.
@ Anonymous Saints Homer 1:00 PM
Harper started the brawl with his cheap shot, not "Smitty". Don't compare an in-house training camp incident to what your player does to another team's player on the field. At least Smith apologized right away, accepted responsibility, and certainly didn't try to justify it. "You're going to have to pay for it as you get PAST the goal line." WTF?? If anyone is a punk here it's Harper. Your team was lucky to win this game, enjoy it and move on.
Payback in NO??? You're kidding me! 89 will be long disenchanted with his team and will be dogging it by that game. He won't be doing a darned thing to help the team, let alone himself by then!
Colorful.
Q:
who dat gonna get whupped upside the head by the panthers?
A:
that pos Harper!
Let the 15K be a baseline for next time Panthers play New Orleans and set the goal at 30K for an unsportsmanlike against those punks.
I thought Steve Smith handled the situation with class and coolness!
It's somewhat hard to headhunt on Harper, given his position on the field. Maybe we can lead Harper to believe he's about to get a pick in the End Zone...when he runs smack dab into the Goal Post! Possibly a reverse to Smith, with a lead Guard wiping out Harper.
Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Glad the scumbag got fined! The best way to get back at him would be to have Smitty burn them yet again then stare him down as he crosses the goal line. That way, when Harper decides he wants to be tough, that's when #89 shows him what's up. I'd have my money on Smith ANY day against that sissy boy!!
If the midget had any sack, he'd of gone after Harper himself. he had to wait for the Gross to come rescue him. Smith has no class anyway. Saints will continue their dominance of the panthers.
Can't put out a bounty anymore - who was it the actually got busted doing that???
With Rivera's comments in the press you can bet the "bounty" is unstated but known by all in the locker room. Since we most likely wont be in the playoffs and the Saints will by the next game I'd have Harper on the bench in NO if I were coaching.
Regardless, someone will clean is d*** clock for it sooner or later. What a punk.
Way to go Harper. You da man. Smith is a obviously a yellow coward pushead.
When you meet again make sure you knock his lights out for good.
Can't put out a bounty anymore - who was it that actually got busted doing that???
With Rivera's comments in the press you can bet the "bounty" is unstated but known by all in the locker room. Since we most likely wont be in the playoffs and the Saints will by the next game I'd have Harper on the bench in NO if I were coaching the Saints.
Regardless, someone will clean his d*** clock for it sooner or later. What a punk.
Read more: http://scottfowlerobs.blogspot.com/2011/10/harper-fined-15k-for-hit-on-steve-smith.html#ixzz1ah8yfzF7
They could fine him based on not his salary, but the amount of class he has. The fine would have been $0.01.
trust me, bounties still get put out......
and harper has one
He should have been fined and suspended for 1 game. Maybe that kind of loss might just keep him from doing it again. But sooner or later someone will deal with Harper if he continues doing stupid stuff like that.
Frankly, the hit was not all that big of a deal and wasn't that hard of a hit. 89 did a little bit of acting to "flip" in the air like he did. It's football and it was a late hit but not vicious in my opinion.
I GUESS HARPER DIDN'T LIKE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE GAME: 89!
I love how all the Saints fans think their boy is sooo tough! I'm sorry, but did 89 call all the troops down into the end zone to give him "help"? I would have to say that this time 89 took the high road and pretty much laughed at the "late hit" that Harper put on him. I mean if you're going to punish someone for crossing the goal line, at least make it count and hit harder than a 3rd grader would have. What an f'ing suss that Harper is. But he does play for the Saints, who haven't been physical for the past 60 years or so! Don't worry Saints fans, you'll get 2-3 more opportunites to "punish" 89 in the "superdome" in a couple of months. That is, if you can catch him!
@ honey brown & Anonymous 4:16 PM (obviously the same guy):
I'd love to see you talk that junk to Steve Smith's face. Nice to see you congratulate a guy for the NFL equivalent of a sucker punch. Typical NOLA trash, enjoy these next few seasons until Brees retires, when your team goes back to its rightful place as the joke of the NFL.
Your some SAD Panter fans. Your just tired of gettin dominated by the Saints.Smith has got that pissed off short man syndrome. Bu he sure can catch a football. i'll give him that much. What a bunch of losers your team has become. You had a great year last year. Guess your ready for some more. Can't wait till your limp in to the BIG Easy for another beat down
Speaking of beat downs, some of you betta watch out talkin smack about Steve Smith, or he'll "go Steve Smith" on your azzes...
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7095790
Steve didn't know what to do when somebody knocked him around when he wasn't looking....other than just stand there and take it.
Harper was wrong - but these comments just show what is wrong with people today - what arer we teaching our kids?
Harper was DEAD wrong...
HOWEVER, why was there absolutely no flag thrown when Smith held down Jenkins by his face mask while his teammates are punching Jenkins in the stomach.
Taking the high road, Panthers ? I think NOT.
BRing it on in NOLA.... Let's see who comes out ahead AGAIN !
SAINTS FAN !
Harper was the one who got abused in their playoff game last year before Greer got B slapped by M Lynch.
Harper is lucky to even be on an NFL team.
Scoreboard
To anony leaving the "scoreboard" comment. What does that have to do with the fact Harper took a cowardly, cheap shot on Smith when steve wasn't even taunting? As far as scoreboard, we'll see where that gets you next year when Cam won't make a dumb pass to hand the 'aints a free touchdown and we have a Defense that will shut down your offense even better. Hope you enjoy the win now, because the future belongs to the Panthers.
I'm proud of Steve Smith because when i seen the hit after he score all Steve did was spin the ball on the ground he was trying to maintain his cool then he lost it and he should of took the dude head off and anybody the was going to try and condone that crap way to go Steve and what a hellva catch
It got him nowhere but to another of many losses.
By the way, who won the game? Who was physical enough to win a Super Bowl? Until you accomplish something worth talking about all you'll ever do is cry. Next year it'll be some other excuse that you didn't win. You couldn't even pull out a win with the officials helping you. By the next time we play we will be resting our starters for yet another playoff game. For the guy bringing up last years play off loss, who did you guys play? OH, you had time to watch our game because your team missed the playoffs yet again. Steve Smith is a punk and don't know what a high road is. Cam will be without him next year anyway.
I don't know why they try that kind of thing and hit them in that way and they don't feel guilty to almost kill someone.
well I don't know if is enough or not, but looking the video definitely you have the impression that was enough.
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