James Harrison: Time For the NFL to Make an Example Of Him, He's Earned It

It's time for the NFL to take a stand. It's time to make a decision between standing behind fines or making a suspension. So far, commissioner Roger Goodell has shown that he is not afraid to hand out big fines. However, there have been no suspensions handed out. And there is one player who has earned one according to his fines: James Harrison.

One of the most physical defensive players in the NFL (along with teammate Troy Polamalu and the Pittsburgh Steelers), Harrison has received four fines due to hits not permitted within the rules. 

His first hit cost him $5,000. He, along with a few Steelers teammates, came in to hit Tennessee Titans' Vince Young. The ball was clearly released and the Steelers appeared to just wrap Young up. However, this was not enough. Instead, the Steelers decided to "finish" their tackle, effectively flipping Young over. The smaller fine was appropriate since it was early in the season and the nature of the flip was not especially vicious.

The second hit on Cleveland Browns' Mohamed Massaquoi was a clear violation of NFL rules. Harrison took his head, lowered it and jumped with the intent to hit Massaquoi in the head. Massaquoi suffered a concussion from the hit. The hit was probably the most vicious of any he has done and the NFL chose to fine him $75,000, a deserved amount. There was also a hit in this game that was appropriately ruled within the rules. This was the hit on receiver Joshua Cribbs. Yes, he did lower his head, but it was not at the level of Cribbs' head until Cribbs was hit by another teammate. 

The third hit Harrison received a fine for was on New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. In video, you can clearly see Brees release the ball, Harrison in full view of this. Subsequently, Harrison hesitated, then proceeded to lower his head and thrust it into Brees' back. Harrison was docked $20,000.

The latest hit on Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Buffalo Bills cost Harrison $25,000, bringing his season total of fines to $125,000. In the Fitzpatrick hit, Harrison takes the crown of his helmet and throws it into Fitzpatrick's chest. This fine was likely caused by previous roughing the passer calls Harrison has been flagged for this season. 

Harrison is not playing within NFL rules. He refuses to do so and, for that, he has earned a suspension. It is time for the NFL to stop docking his pay by fining. They need to suspend him without pay. 

Football is a contact game. However, it does have rules to prevent a 250 pound linebacker from using his head as a heavy duty battering ram on a player who is standing still or slowing. Every other player in the NFL seems to have no issue abiding by the rules set forth. There is no player who has received more than one fine this year due to issues with illegal hits. 

Harrison has earned every penny he has lost. However, the method of fining him clearly is not working. Harrison refuses to change his ways despite meeting with the commissioner with regards to this. If he won't listen on the field, then don't let him step on it for a couple weeks. How many more of these hits does he have left before someone stays down and doesn't return?

What are your thoughts? Should James Harrison be continually fined, suspended, or should Goodell just stop?