Pacman Jones fined $35,000 for Cooper hit
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) runs against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
CINCINNATI - CINCINNATI (AP) — Bengals cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones was fined $35,000 by the NFL for his personal foul against Raiders receiver Amari Cooper during their opener on Sunday.
Jones got on top of Cooper, knocked off his helmet and slammed his head against it at the end of a play during the second quarter, drawing a penalty for unnecessary roughness. He wasn't ejected, and a scrum resulted after the play ended.
Jones said Wednesday that he's going to appeal the fine.
"Everything will work itself out," Jones said. "I'm going to appeal things. It's way too much — $35,000 is a lot of money for a guy out playing football."
The NFL won't publicly confirm fines until Friday.
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis chastised Jones on the sideline after the play. The Bengals won the game 33-13.
Lewis talked to his players about on-field conduct again on Monday. Safety George Iloka also drew a penalty for taunting during the game.
Raiders coach Jack Del Rio declined to discuss Jones' conduct after the game, waiting until he had a chance to see the video. On Monday, Del Rio said Jones' conduct was "clearly way over the line."
"I really don't understand how that was missed, and we'll certainly report that and inquire as to how something like that could be missed," Del Rio said, referring to Jones avoiding an ejection.
"There seemed to be enough eyes on the situation. It was right there at the end of the play and clearly a part of the end of the play."
Jones had a history of suspensions before he revived his career with the Bengals. He has moved up from the No. 3 cornerback to starting across from Dre Kirkpatrick this season.
"Everybody is trying to make something way bigger than what it is, but it's always going to be magnified when I do it, too," Jones said. "I'm prepared for it. I've got thick skin. I'll be through this."
Jones acknowledged that he should have controlled his temper better.
"I'm not going to change the way I play for nobody," Jones said. "So as long as it's not hurting my team, I'm cool. I know the difference between playing smart and reckless and playing smart, reckless and doing dumb things, so hopefully that won't happen again."
The Bengals host the San Diego Chargers (1-0) on Sunday, looking to stop Philip Rivers. He completed a club-record 20 consecutive passes while closing out a 33-28 win over the Lions on Sunday, four completions shy of the NFL record.
Rivers is 3-3 against the Bengals. He led the Chargers to a 27-10 win in an opening round playoff game at Paul Brown Stadium during the 2013 season.
"It's a new team," Jones said. "They have a whole new line. They have two new backs. It's going to be interesting."
Notes: Safeties Reggie Nelson (groin) and Iloka (ankle) missed practice on Wednesday. CB Leon Hall and LT Andrew Whitworth were limited as Lewis gave the veterans a little rest. .. DT Marcus Hardison (knee) and CB Josh Shaw (groin) also missed practice. ... The Bengals have won their past three home openers. They're trying to start 2-0 for the second straight year — they won their first three games last season.
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AP Sports Writer Josh Dubow in Oakland contributed to this report.
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