Dominic Raiola Will Avoid Discipline From Detroit Lions and NFL
Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola will reportedly avoid disciplinary action following a questionable series of plays late in the Lions loss to the New England Patriots last Sunday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
#Lions OL Dominic Raiola will not be fined for his antics against the #Patriots, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 24, 2014
Lions coach Jim Caldwell said Monday that the organization does not condone the actions, but that the veteran center would not be punished by the team.
"“He and I talked,” Caldwell said. “We addressed the issue. What we talked about is a private matter, but he knows how we like to do things around here. And that’s the end of the story.”"
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Raiola is seen on film taking a swing at the back of Zach Moore‘s head on at least two plays late in Detroit’s 34-9 loss against the Patriots. He finished off the game by diving at Moore‘s legs as Matthew Stafford took a knee to end the game.
“Look at the score,” Moore fired back, according to Boston media. “I’d probably be mad too.”
Raiola admitted the act, suggesting it was retaliation for New England running up the score with 1:54 left in regulation. Coach Caldwell stated that it was still no excuse.
"“We got to stop them — that’s our business,” he said. “It’s our job to get the stop.“We don’t condone it. We addressed it. End of story.”"
Raiola’s dirty play received national attention, and obviously not in a good way. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick tool exceptional offense to the NFL vets actions and didn’t hesitate to put him on blast during a teleconference with reporters on Monday morning.
"“I’m sure there was a lot of frustration there from Raiola. That was obvious,” Belichick said at his Monday press conference. “He’s never beaten us. He had a tough day in there dealing with (Vince) Wilfork and (Dont’a) Hightower and those guys.”"
New England has won all four regular-season meetings between the two teams since Raiola was drafted in 2001. The long time Lions center wasn’t the only one to be called out by Belichick however.
"“We saw a lot of that at the end of the game — (Tahir) Whitehead on (LeGarrette) Blount’s touchdown, (C.J.) Mosley on the personal foul on the field goal.”"
Mosley leveled Patriots long snapper, a protected player, Danny Aiken on a late field-goal attempt.
The act of poor sportsmanship by the guy whom should be setting an example for younger players is nothing unfamiliar. Raiola was fined last season by the Lions organization for assaulting a band member in Green Bay. That includes the alleged use of a homophobic slur, though Raiola maintains that is a false charge.
Let us know what you think about Dominic Raiola’s cheap shot in the comments section below. Should the league have stepped in? Also, be sure to give us a “like” on Facebook and a follow on Twitter!