William Moore Fined for Hit on Jordan Matthews: Details, Comments and Reaction

Atlanta Falcons safety William Moore was fined "more than $23,000" for a helmet-to-helmet hit of Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews in the third quarter of their 26-24 win Monday night.

"It's not about whether I can tackle; it's about knowing when to form tackle and when to blow somebody up,'' Moore said, per Vaughn McClure of ESPN. "I know that. But when you go into the game, your adrenaline is pumping and your mindset is to destroy. Something you get caught in the moment of thinking you can run straight through the guy and you need to settle down, gather, and make the proper tackle.''

Moore was not flagged on the play. He told McClure he plans to appeal the fine. In his seventh season out of Missouri, Moore has increasingly drawn the ire of NFL officials for his on-field behavior. He was fined $22,050 in December of last season for a hit on Arizona's Jaron Brown and pulled in more than $75,000 in fines during the 2013 campaign.

As a repeat offender, a potential suspension for Moore becomes increasingly likely with each illegal hit. The NFL has cracked down on violent hits as part of its player safety initiative, particularly ones of the helmet-to-helmet variety.

Moore launched into Matthews on a third-quarter reception as he tried to break a tackle from Atlanta linebacker Justin Durant. Matthews was uninjured on the play.

"I just took a hard hit but at the end of the day that's football," Matthews said Wednesday, per Matt Lombardo of NJ.com. "I love this game too much to ever come out or be worried if I take a big hit whether it's to the head, the leg, the body, anything."

Moore finished the game with nine tackles and an interception, his first since the final game of the 2013 campaign. Coming off a 2014 season in which he played just seven games, Moore undoubtedly wants to keep himself on the field. Avoiding questionable hits going forward is probably a good idea.

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