3 Saints players fined more than $32,000 for fouls vs. Buccaneers

The NFL office in New York normally issues fines to players each week after games are played, but their review process must have been slowed down this year. Three New Orleans Saints players received hits to their wallets on Saturday from Week 1’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Defensive end Cameron Jordan wasn’t penalized for a punch thrown at a Buccaneers player at the time, but he did receive a $12,500 fine from the NFL, per Amie Just of the Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate. Jordan could appeal — and from the end zone angle it appears he was striking at the football, attempting to create a fumble — but it happened so close to the whistle that he probably won’t have much success.

The Athletic’s Greg Auman reported that Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore was fined $10,500 for shoving Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans after a play in the second quarter. Lattimore did draw a flag for unnecessary roughness from the scrap, but Evans was not penalized or fined for punching back and knocking Lattimore’s helmet from his head. That’s a situation the NFL and its officials on the scene should have handled with a more even hand.

Just also reported that Saints safety D.J. Swearinger was issued a $9,412 fine for unnecessary roughness after a big hit against Buccaneers slot receiver Chris Godwin, who missed Week 2’s game while sidelined in the NFL’s concussion policy. Swearinger’s foul also cost the Saints three yards of field position with the Buccaneers offense already deep in New Orleans territory, setting them up for an easy 2-yard touchdown pass.

It’s not the best start to the season, but it’s a reflection of New Orleans’ issues. They haven’t played disciplined football and have given their opponents to many free yards by committing penalties. They must clean up their act if they want to remain in the thick of the NFC playoffs race.