Lavalais will appeal the $7,500 fine

FLOWERY BRANCH - Nose tackle Chad Lavalais will appeal the $7,500 fine he received in his mailbox from NFL headquarters in New York. League officials took offense to Lavalais' first-quarter tackle of McNabb, in which he exploded from his stance and used his helmet to crush the quarterback's sternum and knock him down.

Right end Brady Smith, who combined with Chad Lavalais on the play by hitting McNabb in his left side, had no pity.

"Yeah, he came back and he stayed in the game," Smith said. "But that wasn't the only time we hit him. We got after him all night. He probably was a little stiff when he woke up Tuesday."

Other fines levied from the opener were handed to cornerback Kevin Mathis ($5,000) for fighting with Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter ($5,000). Hall was hit with a $5,000 fine for grabbing the facemask of an opponent's helmet and yanking the helmet of the Eagle's head.

Strong safety Keion Carpenter and cornerback Allen Rossum each drew $2,500 fines for entering the area in which Mathis and Trotter exchanged blows. Free safety Kevin McCadam was fined $1,000 for his role.