James Harrison fined for hit on Brees

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison has been fined $20,000 for his late hit on New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

arrison has now been fined for illegal hits three times in just seven games this season for a total of $100,000.

Harrison was previously fined $75,000 for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, a penalty handed out during the week the NFL adopted its tougher stance on hits to the head and neck. Harrison also had a helmet-to-helmet hit on Browns running back Joshua Cribbs, but the NFL deemed that hit legal and did not levy a fine. He was one of 15 players fined that weekend.

Harrison also was fined $5,000 for picking Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young and slamming him to the ground on Sept. 19.

This latest fine comes just two days after Harrison met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at the league's office in New York to discuss the league's stricter policy on illegal hits.

Goodell requested the meeting with Harrison, held Tuesday during the Steelers' day off. Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert accompanied Harrison.

"It was just for him to hear my side of things and for them to help me understand exactly what the rules are as far as helmet-to-helmet contact," Harrison said Wednesday. "So I spoke my mind. They said what they had to say. We had a semi-productive meeting, I guess. ... I came away with a better understanding, and I think they got a better understanding of how I see things."

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu blasted Goodell this week, calling for players and coaches to have a part in developing and enforcing the rules.

"He's got all the power, and that may be part of the problem," the Pro Bowl safety said of Goodell. "There needs to be some type of separation of power."

Polamalu also said he feels the league risks alienating fans the way they are enforcing the rules.