SANTA CLARA –- Defensive lineman Quinton Dial said he will appeal his fine for a controversial roughing-the-passer penalty, a key play in the 49ers’ 19-13 loss on Sunday to the Arizona Cardinals.
Dial confirmed he was fined for his alleged strike to the neck and head area of Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer in the fourth quarter. The penalty, called by referee Pete Morelli, negated an apparent eight-yard sack and was a pivotal play in the Cardinals' game-winning drive.
The fine amount for a first roughing-the-passer offense is $17,363, according to the NFL schedule of fines
“It is what it is,” Dial told CSNBayArea.com on Wednesday. “I’m going to appeal it and go from there.
“My opinion is the human eye is not fast enough to catch (it). It really doesn’t matter at this point. I got fined. I don’t think the referee saw it clearly, to be honest with you.”
The NFL operations department determines if fines are warranted after a review of plays in question. Executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent and former 49ers safety Merton Hanks, vice president of football operations, determine whether discipline or fines are warranted.
Dial said he believes Palmer ducked his head to cause the possible helmet-to-helmet contact.
“It kind of puts you in a bind,” Dial said. “You just have to study the player and how he tries to escape sacks. If he comes free, just try to position yourself so you don’t put your team in a situation like that. That’s something I’m going to have to do going forward.”
Palmer, whose chin strap was around his nose after the hit from Dial, said he believed the penalty was not in dispute.
“There’s no debate here,” Palmer said. “He hit me right in the face with the crown of his helmet. I don’t think there’s any debate over that.”
