After two days of heated joint practices between the New York Giants and Detroit Lions that featured multiple brawls between opposing players, both franchises are paying the price. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the NFL confirmed that the Giants and Lions have been fined $200,000 each for the multiple fights this week.
Rapoport added that the league sent a memo to teams last month reminding them that “fighting and unprofessional conduct at joint practices would not be tolerated.” It doesn’t seem like that memo made it to New York or Detroit.
More on the Giants and Lions being fined on the eve of their preseason opener, plus some Giants players to watch tomorrow night with the starters unlikely to suit up: https://t.co/ryOLYDDCfk
— Greg Johnson (@gregp_j) August 7, 2024
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported on Monday that the first day of joint practice featured “approximately eight skirmishes that occurred on the field.” The first blow-up occurred on just the second play of live drills when Lions star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown got into it with the Giants defense. New York quarterback Daniel Jones even ignited a scuffle when he pushed Detroit defensive lineman Alim McNeill in the back after he drove center Greg Van Roten to the ground.
On Tuesday, Giants star rookie receiver Malik Nabers was at the center of the fracas after he took a swipe at Lions safety Kerby Joseph. The veteran didn’t take kindly to the youngster’s disrespect and immediately began throwing punches, igniting another brawl.
Despite the brouhaha, Nabers said afterward that he didn’t believe there was any lingering animosity between the two teams.
“It was a heated practice,” Nabers said, per Raanan. “Words are being said and stuff like that is going to happen.”
Three ‘Saders at Giants-Lions joint practice ✝️#GoCrossGo pic.twitter.com/98k5CrpYZC
— Holy Cross Football (@HCrossFB) August 7, 2024
The Giants and Lions are set to face each other in their first preseason game on Thursday night, so it remains to be seen if Nabers is right or if there are still tensions that need to be resolved on the field.
Key Points:
i. Heated Practices Lead to Fines: The NFL has fined both the New York Giants and the Detroit Lions $200,000 each for multiple brawls during joint practices.
ii. League’s Stance on Fighting: The fines come after the NFL issued a memo last month warning against fighting and unprofessional conduct during joint practices.
iii. Multiple Skirmishes Reported: The first day of practice saw about eight skirmishes, with notable incidents involving Giants’ quarterback Daniel Jones and Lions’ receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
iv. Second Day Escalation: On the second day, rookie Giants receiver Malik Nabers sparked another brawl by taking a swipe at Lions safety Kerby Joseph, leading to punches being thrown.
v. Looking Ahead to Preseason Game: Despite the conflicts, Giants rookie Nabers downplayed any ongoing animosity, though tensions may still be high as the teams prepare to face each other in their first preseason game.
Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News