Vikings' Everson Griffen, Jasper Brinkley fined for hits on Packers

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings didn't think Everson Griffen should have been flagged for roughing the passer in Sunday's loss at Green Bay. Now he has been fined, too.

An NFL spokesman said on Friday that Griffen has been fined $15,750 for a late hit on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The league wouldn't say for which play Griffen was fined, though, and tape suggests it might not have been the hit that drew a 15-yard penalty from referee Ed Hochuli.

That call came in the second quarter and wiped out what would have been a pivotal interception for Vikings end Jared Allen. Coach Leslie Frazier said officials told him Griffen had hit Rodgers in the neck area, which replays showed wasn't the case.

Griffen also appeared to hit Rodgers late and to the head area on a play in the first quarter. No flag was thrown.

Middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley was fined $7,875 for another play that went unflagged -- a facemask on Packers receiver Randall Cobb.

Packers cornerback Tramon Williams was fined $21,000 for unnecessary roughness on a helmet-to-helmet hit on Vikings halfback Toby Gerhart.

Tom Pelissero is Senior Editor and columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He hosts from 6 to 8 p.m. weeknights and co-hosts from 10 a.m. to noon Sundays on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
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