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Suspension next Romanowski fined $15,000 for hit on Jags' Taylor
Posted: Thursday December 23, 1999 08:34 AM
DENVER (AP) -- With two of the NFL's perceived bad boys meeting in Detroit on Christmas Day, it's safe to assume league officials will be making a list and checking it at least twice. Denver linebacker Bill Romanowski and Detroit safety Mark Carrier have combined for $92,500 in fines this season. Carrier's rap sheet includes a one-game suspension, while Romanowski has written five checks to the NFL for transgressions ranging from helmet-leading hits to throwing the ball at the opponent. Romanowski's latest fine was $15,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Jacksonville running back Fred Taylor, who was hit while trying to catch a pass against Denver on Dec. 13. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan came to his linebacker's defense Wednesday, saying Romanowski hit Taylor's shoulder pad and the momentum caused their helmets to collide. No penalty was called. "I thought that was a great hit. I didn't think it was anywhere close," Shanahan said. "I've got 15 plays on the reel that I will show to the NFL that I think were much more blatant than that without even a penalty, let alone a fine. ... I'm sure Bill's going to appeal it. I would be surprised if he doesn't get the appeal." Like Romanowski, Carrier has a growing reputation for vicious hits. He was suspended for one game and fined $50,000 for a helmet-to-helmet, concussion-inducing hit on Antonio Freeman Nov. 21. The infraction was Carrier's fourth involving the illegal use of his helmet in three seasons. He also was suspended for one game and fined $25,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit in 1998. "If you know Mark Carrier, there's no way he is ever going to try to hurt somebody, but he's also going to be physical and try to get the job done," Lions coach Bobby Ross said. "Sometimes it's inadvertent. It really is." Romanowski, whose 1999 fines total $42,500, intentionally tries to stir up trouble by harassing opponents after the play, and his actions seem to be magnified with each reduction in his bank account. "The fighting, the pushing the shoving, that happens with everybody in the National Football League," Shanahan said, "but Bill's getting a little bit more attention than most right now."
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