Notebook: No fine for Asante Samuel hit that knocked out Sidney Rice
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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Officials threw a flag, but the NFL apparently didn't see anything wrong with the hit that knocked out Sidney Rice with a concussion on Tuesday night.
A league spokesman on Friday said Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel was not disciplined for an apparent helmet-to-helmet hit that briefly left Rice unconscious in the third quarter of the Minnesota Vikings' 24-14 win.
Samuel was fined $50,000 -- later reduced to $40,000 upon appeal -- for a hit against New York Giants receiver Derek Hagan last month, meaning he could have faced an even larger fine and possible suspension as a repeat offender.
Rice was running a long crossing route in the third quarter when he leaped to catch Joe Webb's pass and was drilled by Samuel, who appeared to lower his head into Rice's as the receiver came down.
"I knew I was knocked out for a second," Rice said. "I had Bernard (Berrian) help me up. After that, I kind of got my balance back and stuff like that."
Rice, who held on for a 16-yard gain, sat out one play and then returned for one before team doctors removed him from the game. He's listed as doubtful for Sunday's season finale at Detroit and confirmed he failed his first try and the initial post-concussion neurological test.
Asked for his thoughts after seeing a replay of the hit, Rice said, ""It really don't bother me. It's football. It was helmet-to-helmet, but it's part of the game. You put it out there on the line. Every week, you go out there and you play for your teammates, and you try to do what's right. So, I don't know if it was intentional or what (Samuel's) thought process was, but it's football."
Webb fined
The only known fine levied in Tuesday's game was on Vikings quarterback Joe Webb, who was docked $5,000 for a "major" facemask.
Webb also drew a 15-yard penalty for grabbing Eagles linebacker Jamar Chaney's facemask while scrambling in the third quarter.
Vikings right tackle Phil Loadholt, who has been fined three times for three separate facemask penalties this season, was not fined for his latest violation.
Forward thinking
As he has all season, Adrian Peterson deflected questions on Friday about his contract, which will void after the 2011 season.
"I've just been focusing on this last game against Detroit," Peterson said. "Everything else will take care of itself."
The All-Pro halfback's scheduled base salary next season is $10.72 million, thanks to more than $9 million in escalators. But it seems almost certain he and his agent, Ben Dogra, will push for a multi-year extension before Peterson is willing to step on the field next season.
Peterson said his plan for the offseason once again is to work out on his own in Houston. And he has not given thought to beginning the offseason early, despite a knee/thigh bruise that has limited his practice time the past 2½ weeks.
"No, not at all," Peterson said. "I definitely wanted to play last week. I play this game because I love it."
Big talk
Vikings interim coach Leslie Frazier said he still has no firm date for discussing his future with ownership, but the meeting will occur next week.
"When this season is over, I'd like to know what the future holds, be able to make plans of the future," Frazier said. "The most important thing right now is the Detroit Lions. We're 48 hours away.
"Maybe (the meeting) will be in Detroit. Make it be on Sunday. Who knows? But that's the most important thing right now, and that part of it is going to take care of itself in due time."
Regardless, Frazier said the plan is for him to conduct the usual year-end meeting with players on Monday.
