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Sources: Darnell Dockett to appeal

NFL, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett has been fined a "six-figures" amount for allegedly spitting at teammate Kerry Rhodes and disobeying the team's plan to let the Jets score, a source told ESPN.

The Associated Press and Arizona Republic have reported the fine came from the Cardinals, not the NFL, citing unnamed sources.

Sources told ESPN that Dockett is appealing the fine.

"Thank God for the @nflpa that's all I got to say... 'I ain't got no worries'," Dockett tweeted on Friday.

Dockett allegedly spit at Rhodes while the two argued about the team's decision to let the Jets score near the end of a 7-6 loss to New York last Sunday. Rhodes denied that Dockett spit and Dockett apologized to Rhodes.

The issue became moot when the Jets' Shonn Greene purposely downed the ball at the Arizona 1 and ran out the clock.

Defensive coordinator Ray Horton told reporters Friday he was the one who suggested to coach Ken Whisenhunt that the Jets be allowed to score. Whisenhunt has declined to discuss the situation, calling it an internal matter.

Dockett said earlier this week he had apologized to Rhodes and the two had agreed to move on. But Dockett emphatically said he had never quit in a game and never would.

"It's something that I don't believe in, something that I didn't understand," Dockett said then. "It was frustrating at the time. At the end of the day, I am never, never going to lay down and quit. I've been playing football for over 20 years. I've given this organization, I've given Florida State, I've given my high school everything I've got. I love the game. I play with passion and I'll never quit."

Denver Broncos defensive end Von Miller was fined $25,000 by the NFL on Friday for his hit below the knee of Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman last weekend.

Miller was penalized for roughing the passer in the second quarter of the Broncos' 31-23 win over the Buccaneers last Sunday. Miller was fined $21,000 last month for a similar infraction against Carolina quarterback Cam Newton.

Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher was fined $21,000 for a horse-collar tackle on Seattle's Leon Washington, his second fine in two weeks. Urlacher, penalized for the tackle in the Bears' 23-17 loss last Sunday, also was fined last week for a horse-collar tackle of Minnesota's Adrian Peterson.

Seahawks defensive tackle Alan Branch was docked $7,875 for his late hit on Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.

Green Bay's Tramon Williams and Jacksonville's Jason Babin were each fined $21,000 for helmet-to-helmet hits in their games last weekend.

Detroit defensive tackle Nick Fairley was fined $15,750 for his horse-collar tackle of Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck late in the Lions' 35-33 loss.

Washington center Will Montgomery was fined $10,000 for kicking New York Giants defensive lineman Linval Joseph, who was docked $7,875 for unnecessary roughness. He pulled on Montgomery's leg first during a pileup on a fumble and then raised his right foot to kick back at him, but stopped himself before doing so.

San Francisco linebacker NaVorro Bowman also got fined $10,000 for kicking at a St. Louis Rams offensive lineman, while 49ers teammate Dashon Goldson has to pay $7,875 for a late hit on quarterback Sam Bradford.

Minnesota linebacker Jasper Brinkley was fined $7,875 for grabbing Green Bay wide receiver Randall Cobb by the facemask. Teammate Everson Griffen was fined $15,750 for his late hit on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Information from ESPN's Ed Werder, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and The Associated Press was used in this report.

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