Adrian Clayborn fined $21,000 for hit on Drew Brees, Buccaneers at $229,875 in fines

Adrian Clayborn was fined $21,000 for his sack of Drew Brees last Sunday, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

#Bucs DE Adrian Clayborn fined $21,000 for his hit on Drew Brees. Bucs' total for the Saints game: $142,000.

— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) September 20, 2013

To me it initially did not look like Adrian Clayborn hit Drew Brees in the head, or if he did that it was incidental and hence wouldn't warrant a flag. But Clayborn took to instagram to defend himself, and that picture shows him hitting Drew Brees helmet to helmet.

$21,000 hit. RT @DatDudeEasy: Damn RT @MikeInTampa2: #Bucs Adrian Clayborn's Instagram.... pic.twitter.com/JmhoRe08Gj

— Rick Brown (@rickbrown91) September 20, 2013

Adrian Clayborn's obviously frustrated, and it's easy to understand why, but that picture pretty clearly shows him hitting Drew Brees in the hit with a decent amount of force. And whether or not you like the rule, it is clearly a violation -- and therefore is going to get fined. It's difficult for defensive players, but they simply must change their target if they don't want to get hit with penalties and fines.

The Buccaneers are now at $229,875 in fines this year, including a $50,000 penalty on the team itself for the repeated personal fouls. If those continue, the Bucs will have to cough up a lot of cash throughout the season.

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