SAN DIEGO -- San Diego Chargers strong safety Rodney Harrison is used to dealing out punishing hits. On Thursday, the NFL hit back.

	Harrison

Harrison was suspended without pay for one game by NFL disciplinarian Gene Washington for his third serious rules violation in two seasons, a helmet-to-helmet hit on Oakland's Jerry Rice last Sunday.

The Chargers plan to appeal. If the appeal is denied, the Pro Bowler stands to lose $111,764 -- 1/17th of his base pay, which is listed as $1.9 million on the NFL Players Association's Web site.

San Diego, leading the AFC at 6-1, is idle this weekend and hosts the New York Jets on Nov. 3.

Harrison, who's been fined about $100,000 for various hits during his nine-year career, refused comment as he left the Chargers' complex after practice. Asked whether he feels he's a marked man, he smiled, rolled up his car window and drove away.

Later, he issued this statement through the team: "I'm disappointed, but once we go through the appeal process, I'm confident it will be overturned.''

Coach Marty Schottenheimer thinks the Chargers can get the suspension rescinded.

"I have looked at it very, very closely and one thing I am certain of is that it was not a foul, it has never been a foul, nor will it ever be a foul under the current playing rules,'' Schottenheimer said.

The play occurred during the first quarter of San Diego's 27-21 overtime win over the Raiders, on an incomplete pass at the Chargers 9-yard line. There was no penalty flag thrown.

Schottenheimer contends Harrison first hit Rice with his forearm. The coach also said the game film showed an official "looking right at the play, and there was no indication whatsoever that he considered it to be a foul.''

Washington disagreed. In a letter to Harrison this week, Washington wrote: "On the play in question, which I have carefully reviewed, you made no effort to tackle the player or break up the pass (as did one of your teammates on the same play), and instead engaged in what appears to be a simply gratuitous effort to punish your opponent after the pass to him has been deflected by your teammate.''

The NFL said it was Harrison's third serious rules violation in the past 16 games, but it's actually a span of 18 games.

Harrison was fined $12,500 for spearing downed Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes on Oct. 13. At the time, Harrison was warned that similar hits in the future could lead to a suspension.

On Oct. 21, 2001, Harrison was fined $12,500 for an illegal forearm hit to the helmet of Denver wide receiver Eddie Kennison. Harrison also was disciplined.

During the 2000 season, Harrison was fined $40,000 for an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit against Oakland tight end Jeremy Brigham.

"Rodney is a very aggressive, physical player and he loves to play this game,'' Schottenheimer said. "I have great admiration for the way he plays this game. I had the same admiration when I was on the other sideline.''

Schottenheimer coached the AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs for 10 seasons, and also coached against San Diego last year while with Washington.

Asked whether he thought Harrison was a marked man, Schottenheimer said: "I don't know. I would hope not.''