Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp was fined $75,000 yesterday by the NFL for his confrontation with game officials that led to his ejection last Sunday. Sapp avoided a suspension, however.
Defensive end Derrick Burgess was also fined $25,000 for verbally abusing an official.
The altercation came late in the first half of a 49-11 loss at Jacksonville. The dispute began when Jaguars right tackle Tony Pashos was flagged for illegal hands to the face.
Officials initially said the Raiders declined the penalty, and the Jaguars lined up for a 43-yard field goal attempt. Officials then said Oakland would accept the penalty, making it third and 20 from the Raiders' 35.
Seconds later, officials called the first unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Sapp, who said Wednesday he was angry the officials declined the penalty without checking first with the Raiders.
That gave the Jaguars an automatic first down, and Sapp started jawing at officials. Sapp and Burgess were flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Sapp kept talking and then drew the third penalty and the ejection. Sapp then had to be restrained by teammates and defensive line coach Keith Millard.
Referee Jerome Bogar said after the game that Sapp was ejected for bumping umpire Garth DeFelice. Sapp denied making any contact with an official.
Grievance in doubt
Packers linebacker Nick Barnett might not file a formal grievance against official Jim Quirk after all."Look, I don't think there's a lot to be gained by a grievance," said Barnett's agent, Chuck Price. "All we're trying to do is to protect Nick."
Quirk, the umpire, grabbed Barnett by the neck and threw him to the ground while breaking up a scuffle during the Packers' loss at Chicago last Sunday.
Price said he doesn't expect Quirk to apologize directly to Barnett, but hopes the league will "step up and acknowledge" that the official's actions were out of line.
Crayton signs extension
Wide receiver Patrick Crayton signed a four-year deal with the Cowboys that's worth up to $14 million, with $6 million guaranteed, according to his agent, Frederick Lyles. Crayton is third on the team in catches (48) and receiving yards (689), and has seven touchdowns . . . Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger didn't practice with the starting offense for the second day in a row, a sign he is unlikely to play in the team's final regular-season game Sunday in Baltimore. With the Steelers (10-5) already assured of playing a home playoff game Jan. 5 or 6, it appears unlikely coach Mike Tomlin will risk Roethlisberger aggravating the right ankle he sprained at St. Louis Dec. 20. Charlie Batch is expected to start for the fourth time in the last three seasons . . . Marvin Harrison returned to practice with the Colts after missing 10 games and the eight-time Pro Bowl receiver may be available for limited work against Tennessee Sunday night. Harrison has not played since Oct. 22 because of a left knee injury . . . Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth took part in his first full practice since Nov. 30. He originally strained his right hamstring Nov. 4 against Carolina late in a game in which he had a career-high three sacks. He missed three games - all losses - and has started three of the last four in earning his first Pro Bowl trip . . . Brodie Croyle will probably start at quarterback Sunday when the Chiefs try to snap an eight-game skid. Croyle missed most of last week's game at Detroit after bruising his throwing hand while trying to tackle a defender who was running back an interception for a touchdown . . . The Bears put cornerback Nathan Vasher on injured reserve. Vasher, who has been hampered by a groin injury, played in only four games.
