CB Jacob Lacey's $10,000 fine should be reduced, Indianapolis Colts President Bill Polian says

Indianapolis Colts rookie CB Jacob Lacey
Tom Gannam/AP Photo

Indianapolis Colts rookie CB Jacob Lacey on Tuesday will appeal a $10,000 fine for celebrating a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams two weeks ago.

Colts President Bill Polian figures Lacey has a fighting chance.

Lacey, who was penalized 15 yards for an illegal celebration after a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown in St. Louis October 25, is having an “attorney of note” argue his fine on Tuesday, Polian said on his weekly radio show Monday night.

Lacey was fined $10,000 for the infraction.

“Strangely enough, he was fined $10,000, which is about $6,000 more than he signed for coming here as a collegiate free agent,” Polian said on his weekly radio show Monday on 97.1 Hank FM in Indianapolis.

“I expect it will be reduced. If it isn't, there ought to be a congressional investigation. It is nevertheless a penalty and deserving of a fine. Ten thousand dollars is not appropriate, but we'll see what happens with the hearing.”

PART I OF POLIAN SHOW REVIEW. HERE.

PART III OF POLIAN SHOW REVIEW. HERE.

Polian, a member of the NFL's Competition Committee said the maximum fine of $10,000 is in place “because the league office wanted to have the power to significantly penalize repeat offenders or people who did things that were untoward, offensive and things of that nature.”

Polian said Lacey's infraction – a pop-up slide and a “safe” signal – does not fit that criteria.

“We never as a Competition Committee anticipated fining guys the maximum fine who simply made a mistake, who were either ignorant of the rule or in this particular case made an honest mistake and did something that was exuberant, but certainly not offensive, inflammatory or defamatory to the other team or anyone else involved,” Polian said, adding, “There you hear the argument on appeal and I have a feeling it will stand up on appeal.”

Also on Monday, Polian discussed:

* RB Joseph Addai's play in the “four-minute” situation at game's end: “Joseph (Addai) really ran the ball well in that situation – downhill, getting every last yard.”

* San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree, who led the 49ers in receiving in an 18-14 loss to Indianapolis Sunday: “You can tell that he's still a rookie. You can tell he's not real confident running routes yet, knowing where he's going, but he does have good size and he has really good hands. The speed is probably average to a little above average, but he has great body control. He is going to be a really good receiver because of the body control. He can spin defensive backs around. When he learns how to run routes, he's going to really be good. He can move defensive backs almost at will. He's a tall guy, but he has really great body control. He's similar to Reggie Wayne in that regard. There's a very high ceiling for him and he appears to be be certainly a tough kid and he has very good hands. He'll be fine. Everything's looking up for him. Certainly, he would be a lot better had he had training camp. But the graph is up for him, clearly.”

* On the performance of Colts K Matt Stover, who made four of four field goals a little more than a week after signing as a 41-year-old free agent: “Matt worked out for us and had a great workout. His practices have been good. He kicked in the game Sunday just the way he has kicked in practice. Certainly after however many years he has been in the league pressure is not going to bother him. He has been there, done that. I'm not astounded. That's sort of what we expected from Matt.”

* On the play of second-year S Jamie Silva at punt returner Sunday: “First of all, let me say this about Jamie. He's one of the best cover people we've ever had here. He's really a dynamic force on coverage and he's a very good strong safety, especially in the box. He does a terrific job. Because of injuries and because of the way we structured the 46-man roster Sunday, we couldn't get T.J. Rushing active. So, we had Jamie return punts, knowing full well that punt returning is not his strong suit. He's back there to catch the ball and he doesn't have the kind of explosive speed you're looking for in a punt returner and the kind of explosive speed or ability to make people miss that T.J. has. Unfortunately, we couldn't get T.J. dressed, because you have to worry about numbers on special teams and other positions, injuries, etc. He was back there as an emergency replacement, so we don't expect that Jamie's going to step up there and perform like Devin Hester. He did secure the ball. He didn't lose it. We didn't turn it over. That's what he was required to do and he did it. But it's not his strong suit and it's not something we would want him to do on a regular basis. One thing we've always believed in here is you never put a player in a position where he can't succeed. We asked a lot of Jamie Sunday. When we ask him to go down and cover kicks, cover punts, play from scrimmage, he does a heck of a job. He stepped up Sunday and did a heck of a job. He did his best returning punts and that's all you can ask of him. But he doesn't have the abilities to do that explosively.”

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MAGNIFICENT SEVENS: WEEKLY COLTS THOUGHTS . . .

Magnificent Seven I: Seven training camp thoughts and observations

Magnificent Seven II: On the Colts' defensive tackle position and WR Reggie Wayne

Magnificent Seven III: On the Colts' running backs and offensive line

Magnificent Seven IV: On the Colts' offense, OG Ryan Lilja and WR Anthony Gonzalez

Magnificent Seven V: On S Melvin Bullitt and QB Peyton Manning