The agent for Jacksonville Jaguars rookie linebacker Mike Lockley has issued a statement to Scout following Lockley being fined $20,000 and a subsequent appeal being filed with the league office. A practice squad player, Lockley was fined for hitting a defenseless receiver, according to the NFL, when he collided with New England Patriots wide receiver Taylor Price. The appeal of the fine, which, if upheld, would be paid in eight allotments of $2,500 due to Lockley being paid a weekly practice squad salary of $5,700, is set to be heard Friday by the NFL. Here's the full statement from Lockley's agent, Ed Brown: "The fine that Commissioner Roger Goodell gave Michael first off is incorrect because Michael's hit wasn't even on a defenseless player. The ball bounced off of Price's face mask and was in the air where Price could still make the catch so Michael separated Price from the ball as defenders are supposed to do and do on a regular basis. It is also excessive and unnecessary to fine a practice squad player who isn't even afforded the same benefits as an active, inactive, or injured reserve player not to mention the rate of pay between those groups at even the low end is not even close. "I haven't spoken to Greg Aiello about the exact manner in which the fine would be deducted from Michael's check because we have not even had the hearing which is scheduled for 2:30pm tomorrow. It would be ridiculous for the NFL to continue its course with this fine and take close to 50 percent of Michael's money for two months. Michael made a great football play while competing to make a roster and fulfill his dream of being an NFL football player. Michael and I look forward to his hearing tomorrow and hope that all this can be put behind us." Source: Scout.com
