SANTA CLARA, Calif. – San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Quinton Dial did not believe his hit on Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer in Sunday’s 19-13 loss was worthy of a penalty.
So what did Dial think of the $17,363 fine he was assessed for the roughing-the-passer penalty?
“I’m going to appeal it and go from there,” Dial said Wednesday. “I don’t think the referee saw it clearly.”
The play was a flash point in the game, the Cardinals benefiting from the call and getting a first down at their own 47-yard line rather than an 8-yard sack by Dial and facing third-and-18 at the 24-yard line.
“There’s no debate here,” Palmer said after the game. “He hit me right in the face with the crown of his helmet. I don’t think there’s any debate over that.”
Eight plays later, Palmer ran in from eight yards out for the game-winning score.
The penalty was one of 13 the Niners were called for on the day, for 81 yards.
Many thought Palmer ducked into the hit, though Palmer’s head snapped back and his chinstrap was up around his nose after Dial’s hit. That’s when referee Pete Morelli threw his flag.
“It kind of puts you in a bind,” Dial said. “You have to study the [quarterback] and how they escape sacks.
“That’s something I’m going to have to do going forward.”