September 20, 2008 Tampa defensive back Elbert Mack had his appeal denied and he will have to sit out one game for twice violating the league's safety rules, according to the St. Petersburg Times. He will miss the team's upcoming game against the Bears.
Our View:Mack was twice guilty of unnecessarily hitting quarterbacks, once in the preseason, and once against Atlanta's Matt Ryan, so he will have to sit. Tampa's defense shouldn't lose it's fantasy appeal, however, and makes for a pretty good play against Chicago.
September 18, 2008 NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent a letter to every team warning them that dangerous hits will result in stiff penalties, according to the Washington Post. "Any conduct that unnecessarily risks the safety of other players has no role in the game of football and will be disciplined at increased levels," Goodell wrote.
Our View:This letter comes on the heels of the NFL's one-game suspension of rookie Elbert Mack, who received the penalty after hurling himself into Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Mack is appealing the ruling.
September 18, 2008 The Buccaneers are appealing Elbert Mack's one-game suspension for violating the league's safety rules (for launching himself into Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan), according to the St. Petersburg Times.
Our View:The appeal will be heard this week, meaning Mack will still miss Sunday's game at Chicago if the ruling is upheld. The Buccaneers look to be thin at cornerback with Aqib Talib in jeopardy of missing the game with a strained hamstring. Second-year cornerback Marcus Hamilton could be promoted from the practice squad as a backup plan.
September 16, 2008 The Tampa Tribune reports that Elbert Mack is suspended for this Sunday’s game against the Bears after he was cited for a second violation of the NFL’s player safety rules. Apparently the Bucs rookie cornerback's latest infraction "unnecessarily launched himself into Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and made impermissible helmet-to-helmet contact." Mack’s first violation came during the Bucs preseason finale against the Houston Texans, when he earned an unnecessary roughness call for hitting Texans quarterback Alex Brink.
Our View:That was quick. Mack clearly will be marked as a dirty player going forward. Not that it really matters for fantasy owners. The rookie has just two tackles in two games.
