Head Coach Mike Smith said he received a letter from the NFL office in New York Thursday morning informing him of a disciplinary fine for his role in a sideline altercation in Sunday’s game against the Redskins.
Smith said he accepts the fine and, along with his team, wants to move on to this week’s game against the Carolina Panthers.
“I want everyone to know I’ve moved on from it,” Smith said. “I moved on from it back on Sunday night when that play was over. I’m ready to get prepared for the Carolina Panthers.”
http://video.atlantafalcons.com/video/191019/191019_2009-11-12-141447.flvA skirmish broke out on the Atlanta sideline when former Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall got into a scuffle with coaches and players. The scuffle started after Redskins safety LaRon Landry was flagged for a late hit on quarterback Matt Ryan.
After the game Hall said he was accosted by coaches and he would file a formal complaint with the NFL.
According to published reports, Smith received a $15,000 fine for his interaction with Hall. Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was fined $7,500. Landry was fined $5,000. Hall was reportedly not fined.
Smith did not comment on the fine amounts Thursday.
The coach did, however, make it clear he will always “have the backs” of his players. On Monday, Smith said he was trying to restore order on the sideline after the late hit to Ryan.
The second-year coach said he learned from the experience.
“Every day is a learning experience,” he said Thursday. “I think you’re a lifelong learner. You have to handle situations differently when you learn from them.”
Thursday, wide receiver Roddy White said the team will always come to the defense of its franchise quarterback, who he called “the future.” White was not on the sideline for the incident but added that, if he were, he may have done something “out of character.”
Fans on the FalconsLIFE Message Boards started taking a collection to help pay any possible fines early in the week. As of 2:15 p.m. Thursday the amount had climbed above $1,100. Smith said the action is “very nice to hear” but he’s ready to move on to a new opponent and continue the season.
“It’s been the last thing on my mind since Sunday afternoon,” he said. “My focus is getting prepared and getting this team ready to play the Carolina Panthers.”
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=53222c4c-61df-4ff0-be49-e165bb450f6a)
22 Comments
I think what Coach Smith did was within his rights ! You Go Coach ! You’ve got your players backs, and the fans have yours !!!
DeAngelo got his own team mate to pay fine too. I am sure that LaRon and Albert really mad at DeAngelo for this silly crybaby report..
Piss off Hall.
DeAngry Hall still lives in Atlanta… and will have to own up to his behavior when he wants to borrow the neighbor’s lawnmower or ask for assistance at the local Home Depot.
The NFL… choosing to fine the coach but not a player on an opposing sideline when the play did specifically NOT take him there… should have been fined as well.
Chalk up that latter bit of pc to whatever you choose.
Glad it’s behind us now. Carolina on my mind!
I agree that Hall should have been fined also. And i do like the fact coach has the players back. However i do not disagree with the fine. Kind of like a baseball manager kicking dirt on plate, but not touching ump. He was right to get in middle but it did look like he took it to far. But 15k is not a big deal in the NFL, although I sure could not afford it.
Go Falcons
GO Coach Smitty
Hey coach…where do you want the check sent? We’ll gladly donate to help pay it off. We know you have enough money…it’s just a way to show our appreciation.
I have supported the Falcons since 1990. However, I do not approve of any coach putting his hands on somebody elses child. I know these are grown men but you must know right from wrong. Be the bigger person. Be professional always on your job no matter how someone else acts. You can’t blame your actions on Deangelo Hall. You are accountable for your own actions no matter what.
@Jean Shonay
Jean this is football. DeAngelo is a little crybaby. He started everything. U are so wrong in your opinion on this. Smith done the right thinb. And furthermore DeAngelo sux the big one. One good season in Atlanta
I totally agreement with Coach Smith in his reaction to the late hit on Matt Ryan. When you are on your home turf and someone does something out of character you have to protect your house. D. Hall is not a great player, but he should have pursued a career in acting. He’s good at it.
wath up
fines early in the week. As of 2:15 p.m. Thursday the amount had climbed above $1,100. Smith said the action is “very nice to hear” but he’s ready to move on to a new opponent and continue the season.
“It’s been the last thing on my mind since Sunday afternoon,” he said. “My focus is getting prepared and getting this team ready to play the Carolina Panthers.”
@cadillaceray
Unbelievable that Mike Smith was fined for protecting his players which makes him stand way above our last two coaches. He believes in his team and we believe in him and thank him for restoring hope and pride in our team. GO MIKE SMITH.
I think Coach Smith did what any coach would do..You know Hall I use to be a fan of yours and ALWAYS stood up for you when others put you down…well not anymore glad you are not a Falcon anymore…
@James King
Yes, this is football. Athletes talk trash all the time whether football, baseball, or basketball etc. When you put your hands on a person that’s criminal not talking trash, remember that please. Correction: DeAngelo Hall did not start anything. What video are you watching? If he started something, why wasn’t he fined? I don’t see how people can see something right in their face and still want to spin the story. Wait, I know why. That’s because they are bias towards that person for whatever reason. I will speak the truth because the truth lives in me.
The truth?….you cant handle the truth!D.Hall,isa dirty player,and problems continue to follow him wherever he goes.And the problem there is,he’s not even that good,gets burnt alot.Thats why he’s no longer wearing red and black.Mike Smith is great,jus shows you he will stand-up and fight for his team, whoever the oponent is.Gotta luv it,…
Jean Shonay,
Correction: DeAngelo Hall ran to a sideline that was already explosive to get in the middle of it. You will notice, none of his players were backing him up, nor trying to get him out of there–He has a vendetta against the Falcons and Mike Smith, and he was determined to get some “blows” in during this game, you only have to google his comments before the game to see what his attitude was about returning to Atlanta. Now, let’s see who’s the trash… What is Mike Smith saying (who was unfairly fined) LETS MOVE ON…What is Deangelo trash mouth saying: TELL MIKE SMITH IF HE WANT SOME OF ME, HE KNOWS WHERE TO FIND ME–Who’s the antagonist? And who’s the trash? I’d say its Demouth Hall.
You may “speak the truth” Jean, as you see it, but the truth isn’t worth much coming from someone who is mildly retarded, with illusions of grandeaur to boot!!! LMAO
@OMG
Somebody being an a**hole does not give you the right to put your hands on them. Now that’s the truth. Mr. Hall did not get fined. I don’t know why you people won’t except that Coach Jeff Fisher and Coach Mike Smith were wrong for what they did. I’m glad the majority of the blogs I have read agrees that a coach should “NEVER” put their hands on a player. Also, I’m glad I don’t call people out their name because they don’t agree with me. I’m a bigger person than that. Thank God I was raised right. Thank you mom & dad. I will speak the truth because the truth lives in me.
@ Jean Shonay
You’re right, Coach Smith put his hands on Hall, which is why he was fined. Head coaches must never put hands on a player, it’s just the way it is. BUT, the problem with what you’re saying, and with this whole situation, is that DeAngelo had his hands on like five or six people. He was a twenty-something year old proffessional football player (in pads) trying to punch forty and fifty-something year old men. Where’s his fine???
The truth is D.Hall came to our YARD trying to start trouble,and he found it with M.Smith,he’s a punk,that gets embarassed on the football field,and cant handle it.There are atleast 40 kid’s on that team and in the regular season,M.Smith is not only the coach,he’s lika father,way to have ur’e FAMILY’S back,SMITTY.Thats how we do it,in the SOUTH…one big family,win or lose….WE ARE THE FALONS!!!!!
FALCONS
I think the fans raising money on behalf of coach Smith is extremely stupid, and very puzzling to me. I understand its going toward his charity. Lets get real people Coach Smith is a multi-millionaire, so I really don’t think he needs this help. It saddens me b/c there are people in the world and in Atlanta that really needs this help, so why not raise money for them. There are charities out there run by hard working individuals that are trying to make a difference but really do lack the funds. How about finding these organizations and raise money for those charities. If you can’t find one try LADIES OF FAVOR mentoring program. its ran by a 24 yr old young lady who is trying to make a difference in teenage girls lives. How about make a donation where one is truly needed.
One Trackback
[...] Coach Smith’s Post-Practice Comments [...]