Harrison, four Ravens fined

Taunting costs safety $5,000

FOXBOROUGH - NFL officials yesterday meted out $75,000 in fines for unsportsmanlike conduct and abuse of officials in the Patriots' 27-24 victory at Baltimore last Monday, hitting safety Rodney Harrison with a $5,000 penalty for taunting Ravens coach Brian Billick.

Harrison's transgression came after James Sanders intercepted Kyle Boller in the fourth quarter.

Sanders's return ended near the Ravens' sideline, where Harrison turned to Billick and said something to the Baltimore coach. Billick, in reply, thrice mouthed kisses at Harrison.

Harrison was not available to react to the news of his fine since it was released late yesterday afternoon, well after the media availability window at Gillette Stadium.

It was, however, the smallest fine the NFL handed out yesterday, with Ravens linebacker Bart Scott drawing a $25,000 penalty for verbal abuse of officials. Scott also threw an official's flag into the stands of M&T Bank Stadium.

Ravens cornerbacks Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister, and wide receiver Derrick Mason were fined $15,000 each for publicly questioning the integrity of the officiating. Rolle became enraged at head linesman Phil McKinnely, a former NFL tackle from 1976-82 who, Rolle claimed, "called me a boy" when Rolle chastised McKinnely for never having played the game.

Scott angrily reacted to McKinnely's exchange with Rolle and flung a flag into the stands.

"This is about the importance of sportsmanship and respecting the integrity of our game," said Ray Anderson, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations who traveled to Baltimore this week to speak with Scott and Rolle before issuing the fines. "We do not tolerate inappropriate conduct between teams and game officials. This includes reminding game officials that they are to conduct themselves at all times as professionals in their dealings with players, coaches, and other club personnel."

Polamalu doubtful

The Steelers will likely be without Troy Polamalu (knee) for the third week in a row when they face the Patriots tomorrow at Gillette Stadium, as the All-Pro safety is listed as doubtful on the injury report.

Polamalu returned to practice Wednesday, but sat out Thursday and yesterday.

The Steelers listed linebackers Andre Frazier (groin) and LaMarr Woodley (hamstring) as questionable. Frazier did not practice and Woodley had limited participation.

Safety Rashad Baker (ankle) was the only Patriot who did not practice yesterday. He was listed as questionable along with guard Stephen Neal (shoulder, limited participation).

Kind words

Receiver Wes Welker has had a big impact on the Patriots' offense. "He obviously gives an element when he's there in the slot," said offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. "He's been able to catch and run. He's done a decent job for us in punt returns." But McDaniels offered his highest praise when he called Welker "one of the finest blockers that we've had in the slot that we've ever had here." Better even than Troy Brown? "Troy was good when he was in the slot, too," McDaniels said. "But Wes does a great job. He really gets in there and tries to fit up whomever he needs to in the running game. He's done a great job for us in that aspect. He's been a very productive player for us." . . . Another has been running back Laurence Maroney, who yesterday held court at his locker, with CN8 microphone in hand. Maroney indicated the best way to attack Pittsburgh's top-rated defense was straight ahead. Yet he seemed to bristle at the notion that there were those who questioned whether he was running in that direction. "How many of those people have actually played running back?" Maroney asked. "That's just like me trying to critique y'all about how to ask questions or how to do interviews. You really ain't going to listen to it because I've never done it before. Just like I'm not going to really pay attention to what somebody says about running north and south because you never know what I see out there or what's happening out there. If a guy is turned free in the hole, what do you want me to do? I'm trying to make plays. I'm trying to make it happen, so it might look like I'm dancing, but I'm really trying to make something happen." While Maroney might be weary of hearing criticism about his running style, he maintained a sense of humor when he said, "It ain't no dance floor out there. I don't dance, I cha-cha slide."

Christopher L. Gasper and Mike Reiss of the Globe staff contributed to this report.