| | EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The officials didn't see it, but a
national television audience got a clear view of Minnesota Vikings
backup defensive end Duane Clemons punching Dallas Cowboys tackle Flozell Adams below the belt.
| |  | | | Adams |
| |  | | | Clemons |
"I think the league will probably fine him," Vikings coach
Dennis Green said Tuesday. "Most often what you get on a TV camera
is the second part of a play, and normally when you retaliate
you're the one who gets called. And if you're not the one who gets
called, you're normally the one who gets fined."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said any fine would be announced later in the week.
TV replays caught Clemons in the act Monday night, but didn't
show what precipitated the nasty punch, which occurred after Jimmy
Hitchcock intercepted Jason Garrett's pass in the fourth quarter of
Minnesota's 27-17 victory.
"He punched me in the groin," fumed Adams, who contested that
he didn't do anything to warrant Clemons' ire.
"He was never on my side until that play," Adams said. "But
as long as I have been playing, that has never happened
intentionally."
Clemons said Adams took him down from behind on the interception return and that's why he threw the punch.
Green had a talk with Clemons, a fourth-year pro from Cal, about
the ugly incident.
"We don't like guys that punch on the football field," Green
said. "I think Duane lost his temper, lost his poise, which is not
a very good idea. And that's what happens when you retaliate, so
hopefully he'll learn from it."
In an expletive-filled tirade after the game, Adams called
Clemons "a first-round draft pick bust."
"That's why he doesn't start. I'd be surprised if he was with
this team next year," Adams said.
| |
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