Michael Vick recently called out game officials for failing to protect him on the field, but teammate Jason Babin senses something more sinister at work.
The Eagles defensive end was fined $15,000 by the NFL for a hit on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, which Babin plans to appeal, according to NFL Network's Jason La Canfora, citing a league source.
Babin took to Twitter on Thursday to sling a burning arrow at the league office.
"Attn:Guy at the NFL that decides on who and how much players get fined Stop being a puppet, if you want to protect QB's, get better linemen."
First of all, we doubt any "puppet" tasked with handing out fines is simultaneously moonlighting as a scout for NFL linemen, but Babin's irritation signals a more complex problem in an increasingly pass-happy league.
As NFL.com's Pat Kirwan points out, despite the league's efforts to protect quarterbacks, we're seeing the passing game accelerating at a rate that puts signal-callers at risk.
With passing records burning at the stake, the league isn't about to lay down on protecting the game's most expensive and precious performers. Vick, for one, would like to see more protection, not less. Still, we doubt he'd push back on Babin's call for better linemen.
