Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith got slapped with a hefty $35,822 fine from the NFL for two nasty hits during last Sunday’s 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. This isn’t some small change either, and it’s putting a giant spotlight on Smith’s tackling technique, especially as the Ravens are already trying to figure out what’s gone wrong defensively.
Double Trouble: Facemask and Defenseless Player Hits
The biggest chunk of that fine, $17,911 to be exact, came directly from a facemask penalty on Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Remember that 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter? Yeah, Smith was caught grabbing Allen’s facemask and twisting his head while trying to stop him. The video showed Allen’s head getting cranked, but wild enough, there was no flag on the field during the play. The touchdown stood, Bills took an early 7-0 lead, and people were *furious* about the lack of an on-field call. Even Buffalo coach Joe Brady admitted he didn’t see the contact live but was definitely concerned about the tackle after reviewing it. The NFL clearly saw it loud and clear during their disciplinary process to slap that fine down.
But wait, there’s more. Smith snagged another $17,911 fine for a separate hit on a defenseless player in the same game. The league’s disciplinary policies are pretty clear about not smashing into players who can’t protect themselves, and this double whammy for Smith from just one game shows the NFL is not messing around.
A Concerning Pattern for the Ravens’ Linebacker
This isn’t the first time Smith has been in hot water this season for facemask contact. Back in Week 2, he was fined $11,941 for grabbing New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough’s facemask. These repeated violations are not just bad luck; they’re putting a huge target on Smith’s tackling technique. The Ravens are already reeling from their third straight loss to Buffalo, a game where their defense looked rough and they even lost quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley to injuries. With all these problems piling up, Smith’s ongoing issues with illegal tackles are just another headache for a team that desperately needs to correct its defensive struggles. The league is watching, and frankly, so should the Ravens.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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