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NFL Fines Titans' Linemen, But Doesn't Say Fisher Ordered a Hit

The NFL doesn't appear concerned about investigating whether Jeff Fisher put out a hit on Shawne Merriman, but they do agree with the Chargers that the hit that injured Merriman was dirty.

The NFL fined center Kevin Mawae and tackle David Stewart for a double-team hit on Merriman. The hit, which came a couple of minutes after Merriman had roughed up Vince Young, came when they ganged up on Merriman away from the play. On the broadcast of the game all you can see is Stewart and Mawae landing on top of Merriman behind the play. He left the game and is expected to miss this week's game with a sprained knee.

Mawae was fined $5,000 while Stewart was fined $12,500 for a pair of late hits. Neither was available to comment after the fines were announced, but Mawae seemed to be saying he wouldn't be shocked by a fine on Wednesday.

"The game is a violent game and I understand guys can get hurt playing this game. Therefore I would never intentionally try to hurt somebody,'' Mawae said Wednesday. "I understand that (Merriman) thinks I took a cheap shot on him. But it is what it is. I'm sorry that he got hurt - there was no intention by it. ... If the NFL deems it a cheap shot I will pay whatever fine I have to pay."

While the Chargers may believe that Fisher ordered the hit, it's nearly impossible to prove that, and it's just as likely that Young's offensive line decided to take care of business to make it clear that no one messes with Young and gets away with it.

But whether it was Fisher who ordered it or just Mawae and Stewart working on their own, it does seem pretty likely they were out to get Merriman.

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