Falcons free safety Damontae Kazee likely will hear from the NFL on Thursday about a fine for the hit he put on Carolina quarterback Cam Newton on Sunday.
“Next question,” Kazee said Wednesday when asked if he’d heard from the league office.
He’s likely to become the third Falcons player to be fined this season. Grady Jarrett was fined ($20,054) for his hit on Eagles quarterback Nick Foles and tight end Eric Saubert was fined ($10,026) for a face-mask penalty against the Eagles.
“I have to learn when to take my shot and not take my shot,” Kazee said Wednesday. “When he was sliding, I was already in the air. I tried to lean over to the left and nicked him with my face mask. I apologized for the hit and everything.”
Kazee, the Falcons’ promising second-year safety, sounded remorseful.
“I was playing too fast in the game and trying to make a play and overplayed it,” Kazee said. “I apologize for him and for hitting him like that, but I didn’t do it on purpose. I was just trying to make a play, that’s all.”
Kazee has to learn to take his head out of his tackles.
“I’m trying to learn to keep my head up when I’m tackling now,” Kazee said. “It’s a new rule. I have to adjust to that.”
Free safety Rico Allen consoled Kazee.
“Just play football. That’s one of the best running quarterbacks in the league,” Allen said. “He’s big, and if you don’t come in there with all of your might, all of your fight, he’ll run you over. He made a decision in the game, and he’s suffering from that decision. He’s going deal with the consequences and move on.”
About the Author
