There is a thought that the NFL preseason is not “real” games, but don’t tell that to the players. Emotions can run as high as they do in the regular season, maybe not for the entire contest, but on particular plays here and there.
In addition, the fines for crossing the line are very real. The rules apply the same way they do when the games count, and the price for breaking them can be high.
Browns offensive lineman Tytus Howard found this out the hard way, as he reportedly was hit with the biggest NFL fine of the preseason for an infraction committed in the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears.
“The NFL fined Howard $12,537 for what it deemed unnecessary roughness during the first quarter of the first preseason game. Howard got a 15-yard penalty for tripping on the play,” Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk wrote.
The play occurred on the Browns’ second series of the game. After a 31-yard punt return by KC Concepcion gave Cleveland excellent field position on its 43-yard line, Howard was flagged for tripping, with the penalty giving the Browns a first-and-25.
Thanks to three consecutive pass completions by Deshaun Watson, the Browns were able to convert the difficult down-and-distance, capped by a 15-yard connection with wide receiver Denzel Boston. The drive led to a 50-yard field goal by Andre Szmyt.
The amount of the fine will hit Howard particularly hard, considering that players do not receive paychecks during the preseason. With that in mind, fines are usually lower for those games, with reviews and referrals taking place between the NFL’s officiating department and the football operations staff. The money is donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation or the NFL Foundation.
It was Howard’s first game for the Browns after arriving in an offseason trade with the Houston Texans. He signed a two-year, $45 million contract extension shortly afterward, so this fine should not affect his wallet too much.
Howard is expected to be the starting right tackle in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He will be joined by rookie Spencer Fano at left tackle, Zion Johnson at left guard, and Elgton Jenkins at center. Teven Jenkins and rookie Austin Barber are competing for the right guard spot.
Hopefully, Howard can steer clear of penalties and fines like this during the season, but sometimes those plays are simply unavoidable.
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