Another member of the Denver Broncos No Fly Zone has gotten a notice from the NFL. Darian Stewart was fined for his hit on Raiders WR Amari Cooper.
It looks like Aqib Talib will not be the only member of the Denver Broncos “No Fly Zone” to receive some form of punishment from the NFL. Darian Stewart’s notice will cost him some money.
It was announced on Thursday that Stewart will be fined for his “shoulder to helmet” hit on Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper. The fine will cost Stewart $24,309.
Darian Stewart will appeal the fine. And I would not blame him at all. As I am sure all of Broncos Country can agree. There was no chance that Stewart could have avoided making that hit.
Everything about the hit was clean, if not accidental. Stewart was ready to make a play on the ball. When Amari Cooper was going to the ground, he lowered his head. Stewart, going at a fast enough pace, could do nothing to prevent the hit from happening.
Here is the play that, for now, is costing Darian Stewart some money.
#Broncos Darian Stewart flagged for unnecessary roughness after knocking out #Raiders Amari Cooper. Flag was unfair. Cooper dropped his head into Stewart’s side/shoulder. pic.twitter.com/6XdSLuXKkX
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) November 26, 2017
A flag for that hit, I can understand. But a fine? That is taking it a bit too far. There was no way with how quickly Amari Cooper was going to the ground that Darian Stewart could have prevented himself from going shoulder to helmet on the attempted tackle or pass breakup.
Next: Ron Leary Could Be Out on Sunday
There is a good chance that Darian Stewart could win this appeal. The high speed of the play, the lowering of the head, should be no reason he will lose this appeal.
It has been a rough few days for the No Fly Zone. They hope, as well as the rest of the team, can end the streak on Sunday.