Fine reduced for Falcons' Robinson

THE FINE levied on Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson for his hit on Jeremy Maclin in Week 2 has been dropped from $40,000 to $25,000 on appeal, his agent said.

Jason Chayut said yesterday that the appeal was filed because Robinson did not think the fine "was appropriate."

Robinson was fined $50,000 last year for a hit on DeSean Jackson that caused concussions for both players. That fine was reduced to $25,000 on appeal.

Robinson hit Maclin with the crown of his helmet after Maclin made a 17-yard reception late in the Eagles' Week 2 loss. The play drew a 15-yard penalty. At the time, Maclin said: "It was a dirty hit. That's why he got flagged. If it was a clean hit, he wouldn't have gotten flagged. Whatever is coming his way, he'll get it . We'll kind of see what happens."

Robinson said then that he was not expecting a fine, although one followed. "I felt it was a legal hit, even though I was penalized. I do not expect to hear from commissioner [Roger] Goodell," he said.

"I saw him catch the ball," Robinson said. "Last year, they said the receiver didn't have time to see. He was a defenseless receiver. I saw him catch the ball. I saw him run, trying to get up field to score. So me as a defender, if I whiff on him, he's probably going to run around me and score a long touchdown. This is a physical football game. That's the way I play. If I don't play that way, I wouldn't make it in this league. I definitely didn't think it was a dirty play. I'm not a dirty player. I don't go out there and hit players illegally."