From JSOnline 
Green Bay - The Packers have only played two games, but linebacker Nick Barnett has all ready racked up three fines.

Barnett found out Thursday that he was fined $7,500 by the league for his shoulder-to-helmet hit on Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna in Sunday's game.

"Why would I be fined?" Barnett answered when asked about the possible fine on Wednesday. "He was out of the pocket. He was a running back. How are you supposed to tackle the guy?"

Barnett was docked his entire paycheck for the first game as punishment for pleading guilty to an off-field incident that happened in the 2007 off-season. He was also fined $7,500 for a horse-collar tackle in the opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Barnett said he will appeal the fine.

Barnett should watch himself in the coming weeks. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reportedly sent a memo to the entire league this week warning that stiffer penalties could be coming for players that endanger the safety of other players:

Player safety on the field is important to all of us in the NFL. Football is a tough game and we need to do everything possible to protect all players offense, defense, and special teams from unnecessary injury caused by illegal and dangerous hits. From this point forward, you should be clear on the following point: Any conduct that unnecessarily risks the safety of other players has no role in the game of football and will be disciplined at increased levels, including on a first offense. Playing by the rules shows respect for your fellow players. No one wants to see unnecessary injuries. Lets have a safe and exciting 2008 season.

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Urgh. The Kitna hit was ridiculous. I agree with Nick. Kitna was out of the pocket and when a QB is out of the pocket, he becomes a running back.

Geez. Who was it who said they might as well put skirts on them? Did Dick Butkis say that? Well, I'm starting to agree.

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What a bunch of baloney. If I were Barnett, I'd be pissed off too.

Was he even flagged for that alleged "horse collar" in Minnesota? I don't remember that. Although with the amount of flags in that game, it does make it a bit difficult to single out a particular one.

Hopefully he takes it out on Romo.

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The horse collar was BS against Minny.. the rule is defined as hooking the pads and bringing them down.. not latching on to the jersey and yanking his ass to the ground.

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Yeah, he had a fistful of jersey and he ripped him down. No way in hell is that a horse collar tackle.
The Kitna fine is just baloney.

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What are defensive players going to do in the future? After each tackle, write a letter of apology to the families of everyone they tackle?

This is getting downright silly.

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How else does the NFL expect defensive players to hit quarterbacks that are on the run? Especially if they refuse to slide?

When a QB decides to scramble and decides not to slide or get out of bounds, I'm sorry - but he's going to be a target. And rightly so.

This is tackle football right? Not flag or two hand touch?

Garr, I'm angry now.

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I know....it's crazy.
The QB was out of the pocket, and didn't slide. So he's fair game in that situation. Plus, it wasn't like Barnett hit helmet to helmet. Whats he supposed to do? Touch him and say "Tag! Your it!!!"

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The hit on Kitna was borderline. Kitna threw the ball and Barnett gave him a pop, which looked like a helmet-to-helmet hit. I was surprised the refs didn't call it because they call everything nowadays. But it didn't look like a play that deserved a fine. Marinelli made a big stink about it, which was probably why it was reviewed.

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So, you cant use your head. OK. You cant use your shoulders. OK.
Now how do you expect guys to tackle?

Was that letter sent to just a group of players? Or the whole league?