The NFL's finger wagging over a spate of vicious hits this weekend did not result in any suspensions for those involved.
As expected, the league hit Dunta Robinson, James Harrison and Brandon Meriweather with fines for the hits. They've also announced that starting next week, these kinds of hits against the nebulous "defenseless player" could result in suspensions. Whether this fundamentally alters the way defenses make plays on the football or not is up for debate, but that's a larger topic that deserves its own post.
On one level, I don't think it's fair that Dunta's getting lumped with two guys who showed clear intent to cause harm. Especially Harrison, who made foolish comments after the hits about how the two Browns receivers he trucked into just went to sleep and just generally acted like it was the most natural thing in the world to try to knock somebody out of the game. That's not how concussions work, you big dummy. I recognize his fine's higher, but still.
On the other hand, the NFL is trying to send a message here, and Dunta's luckily not getting suspended for the hit. I think the NFL's smooth hands in his wallet and the concussion he suffered are punishment enough for Robinson, whose hit was unfortunate to say the leas, lack of intent aside.
Here's hoping that everyone hurt this weekend—from Dunta to DeSean and those in between—has a speedy recovery. The injuries are more important than the money here, folks.
UPDATE: SI's Peter King reports that Dunta will appeal the suspension fine. I can't do anything right today.