Edwards, Jenkins fined by NFL

NEW YORK (AP) - The NFL fined Minnesota defensive end Ray Edwards $20,000 for spearing Dallas running back Marion Barber in Sunday’s game.

The hefty fine was handed out Friday and cited Edwards as a repeat offender. He was fined Aug. 28 for roughing the passer and Sept. 26 for unnecessary roughness.

“I just got fined $20,000 for a spear that really wasn’t a spear,” Edwards said. “If you look at the last play, (Dallas tackle Marc) Colombo speared Jared (Allen) and I don’t believe he got fined. If you’re going to fine people, fine everybody. Don’t just fine defensive guys.”

The league did not immediately announce any fine for Colombo.

It’s been a busy week for NFL football operations chief Ray Anderson, who on Tuesday handed out heavy fines for illegal hits to Pittsburgh’s James Harrison ($75,000), Atlanta’s Dunta Robinson and New England’s Brandon Meriweather (both $50,000). The league also ratcheted up its discipline for flagrant fouls, promising suspensions for players who make illegal hits on defenseless opponents. A video was sent to the 32 teams explaining what will be tolerated and what is considered illegal.

Also Friday, New Orleans cornerback Malcolm Jenkins was fined $10,000 for unnecessary roughness for a hit to the head area of Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman.

Tennessee defensive end William Hayes was fined $10,000 for a late hit, while teammate Dave Ball was given a $5,000 fine for roughing the passer with a hit to the head or neck area against Jacksonville.

Three Houston players were fined $5,000: guard Wade Smith for a leg whip, defensive end Adewale Ogunleye for a late hit on Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel, and safety Bernard Pollard for hitting Chiefs running back Thomas Jones when he was out of bounds.

Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb was fined $5,000 for a horse-collar tackle on Atlanta’s William Moore, who was returning an interception.

Harrison, who for one day threatened to retire after the NFL’s crackdown, was fined for his tackle of Browns receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who suffered a concussion. He also had a hard hit on former college teammate Joshua Cribbs.

On Friday, Cribbs told his friend not to change the way he plays, and that Harrison’s job is to simply “knock people out.”

Cribbs, who played at Kent State with Harrison, believes he helped persuade Pittsburgh’s big hitter not to retire.

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AP Sports Writers Tom Withers in Cleveland and Jon Krawczynski in Minneapolis contributed to this story.