A big collision with Patriots receiver Deion Branch has left Ravens safety Ed Reed $21,000 lighter in the wallet.
Reed was fined because he hit Branch in the head and neck area at a time when Branch was considered a defenseless receiver. Branch did not make the catch on the play, but the Patriots picked up 15 yards because of Reed’s penalty.
Branch shook Reed’s hand on the field and said afterward that there were no hard feelings.
“He’s a great player. He made a great play,” Branch said. “I wasn’t mad about the hit. I was mad that the ball came out of my hands. . . . We all know going across the middle you’re going to get hit. . . . Most time I have enough time to catch the ball and get on the ground. But he was on me so fast, I really didn’t have time to react. So, unfortunately I dropped the ball. He made a good play. We got a flag out of it. Who knows what it was.”
Reed had another big hit on Patriots receiver Julian Edelman in Sunday’s game, but the NFL reviewed that tape and decided not to fine Reed for that play.