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NFL looking into Dunta Robinson's hit

By The Associated Press
Posted 12:16PM on Monday 19th September 2011 ( 13 years ago )
NEW YORK -- The NFL is looking into the hit by Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson on Philadelphia wide receiver Jeremy Maclin that drew a 15-yard penalty in Sunday night's game.

Robinson was fined $50,000 last year for a similar hit on the Eagles' DeSean Jackson that left both players with concussions. The fine later was reduced to $25,000, but Robinson falls into the category of repeat offender.

The league has said flagrant hits by such players could lead to a suspension. The NFL has not yet suspended anyone for such hits.

Normally, any league discipline is handed down in midweek. But the NFL could speed the process given the high profile of Robinson's hit during a prime-time national TV game and the cornerback's recent history.

Robinson drew a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness with 6:12 remaining in the third quarter after leading with his helmet and crashing into Maclin. Maclin was slow to leave the field but returned to the game.

Replays clearly showed Robinson leading with his helmet, something the league has been adamant about eliminating. The NFL this year also banned launches into a defenseless opponent.

Last October, the NFL sent head coaches memos listing those players on their teams who were called for two or more unnecessary roughness penalties since 2008. Ray Anderson, NFL executive vice president of football operations, told The Associated Press this summer the league uses the last two seasons as criteria to determine repeat offenders.

``Player safety is a priority and we will not relent on it,'' Anderson said in August. ``Let me make it very clear, particularly in regard to repeat offenders, that egregious acts will be subject to suspension. We will not feel the need to hesitate in this regard.''
Dunta Robinson

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