White Unhappy With Raider Fines

Two more Oakland Raiders offensive linemen have been fined by the NFL, a move that Coach Mike White called a “travesty.”

Guard Kevin Gogan was fined $5,000 for a chop block in last Sunday’s 27-21 Oakland win at Seattle, and tackle Pat Harlow was fined $5,000 for a late hit in the same game.

The brings to five the number of times the Raiders’ offensive line has been fined this season. Three fines have been imposed on guard Steve Wisniewski.

Two penalties were called on Gogan for chop blocks in that game against the Seahawks, but the NFL called the Raiders on Wednesday to say the second penalty was a mistake.

Gogan said Wednesday he plans to appeal the fine.

“The second one was acknowledged as a clean block. I understand the first one there is some question, but I didn’t know my center was going to be there,” he said. “I didn’t intend to hurt anyone.”

Harlow was not available for comment Wednesday, but White said Harlow “just happened to cross paths well before the play ended” and should not have gotten called for a late hit.

White said the Raiders wrongly have acquired “the reputation of being a chop-block team” and added that “there’s a mind set in cases of chop blocking and late hitting where we feel we’re under unfair scrutiny.”

The coach also complained about the fines, saying the penalties called during the game should have been enough punishment.

“This is a travesty that these two players were fined for a part of the game that is supposedly administered by an officiating crew,” White said. “It’s hard for me to understand what this game is coming to when there has to be further administration. It’s not fair to players. It’s not fair to take away their money.”

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Charger running back Leonard Russell missed Thursday’s practice so he could be with his hospitalized 3-year-old daughter, Coach Bobby Ross said.

Ross said Russell called him Wednesday night and said his daughter, Holland, had what he described as a half seizure and was at Children’s Hospital for tests. The girl was born prematurely, and has a history of medical problems.

Russell indicated that he would be back at practice today, Ross said.

Also Thursday, cornerback Darrien Gordon missed practice due to back spasms. If Gordon is unable to practice Friday, Willie Clark will likely start in his place when the Chargers (7-5) host the New England Patriots (8-4) on Sunday night.

Gordon had replaced Dwayne Harper, who is out for the season because of a hamstring injury.