FOXBORO, Mass. — Patriots defensive end Andre Carter was fined $15,000 for a hit he put on Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman on Sunday, and he'll appeal the league's penalty.
Carter drew a personal foul on the play, as referee Jeff Triplette said Carter hit Grossman below the knees. However, Carter hit Grossman's hip, which sparked a debate as to whether or not the play even warranted a penalty, let alone a fine.
"I guess it was more of a protection thing," Carter said Friday. "They just felt I was below the knee. That's something that is going to have to be analyzed and looked at, just kind of see what happens."
Carter was disappointed with the ruling and said he's held up from questionable hits since the NFL's increased emphasis on player safety.
"It is what it is," Carter said. "All I can do is control how way I play. I play hard. I play fast. I'm not trying to take out somebody's knee or career. Just at the moment, from point A to point B, you have a split second to make a decision. If it's there, then you go for it. If not, then you back off. There have been times when I have backed off, and the ref was like, 'Good call, Carter.'
"But what are you going to do? What if you didn't make that play and then he gets the ball off, then it's on your shoulders. You learn something new every day."
Carter appealed a $15,000 fine from his hit on Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers in Week 2. He's still waiting to hear back from the league about that one.
This week's fine was the third of Carter's career. He was also hit with a $15,000 punishment in 2002.
