A Grip on Sports: Severity of NFL fines seems out of whack

Friday:  Can’t get too far away from the Super Bowl, can we?

The  NFL handed out fines yesterday for actions that occurred during the NFC title game in Seattle.  Clay Matthews, who sized up Russell Wilson and tried to fit him for a hearse, was fined $22,050 for the illegal hit, one that could have cost Wilson the rest of the game – and quite possibly more.

Then there was Lynch’s  idiotic action of grabbing his crotch.  That drew a fine of $20,000, warranted sure. But when contrasted to what Matthews did – one an action that couldn’t have hurt anything but someone’s sensibilities vs. a hit that seemed aimed to maim – the numbers seem out of whack.

When Lynch came off the field following his touchdown and did something odd with receiver Chris Matthews (on video it seems as if they are shaking hands – or something – again around the crotch area – and no, I never thought I would be writing sentences like this), Matthews earned a $11,025 fine. About the only fine that seemed deserved was the one J.R. Sweezy received for pounding Matthews late after another hit on Wilson. Sweezy’s action, for which the NFL dinged him $8,268, was the first sign of life the Hawk offensive line had all day. And very easily could be seen as a quid pro quo for Matthews’ earlier hit.

•If you had the chance to watch Bill Belichick throw Tom Brady under the bus concerning the deflated footballs, and then watch Brady throw the equipment guys, or somebody, under the same wheels, you had to come away thinking  the truth is still out there. Someone cheated. On purpose. It wasn’t accidental. That’s obvious. Just who it was is a little harder to discern.

Thursday: If the Cougars can avoid teams coached by former Montana head coaches, maybe they can win a few more games.

After winning two of three to start the Pac-12, WSU has lost consecutively to Wayne Tinkle’s Oregon State team and, last night, Larry Krystkowiak’s Utah squad. The 12th-ranked Utes rolled the Cougars in Salt Lake City, 86-64. And they did it without their  starting center. 

Wednesday: There are just too many stories, too many storylines, to examine between the Patriots and the Seahawks. 

I’m not even sure I can enumerate all the possible “big”  stories to cover. The first one, of course, is either “you mad, bro,” or Pete Carroll vs. Bill Belichick. The former was Richard Sherman’s comment to Tom Brady after the last time these teams met. The latter is a story of redemption and deceit, though I’m not sure which is which.

But those are only the entrees. There are plenty of appetizers – and deserts too. Brandon Browner, dumped by the Hawks and now a starter with the Patriots. The Darrelle Revis vs. Sherman who-is-better debate. The Seattle defense’s prowess vs. Brady’s ability to carve up secondaries. The Gronk vs. Kam. Will Russell Wilson survive Vince Wilfork falling on him?

If there ever will be an over-analyzed Super Bowl, both on and off the field, this will be it. Heck, you could spend an hour talking about Marshawn Lynch’s hands and his, well, you know, where he puts them after he scores. Like I said, there’s a cornucopia of story lines. And we get to enjoy the feast for the next 10 days or so.