Photo: Mel Evans/AP
Eric Smith, the New York Jets’ safety, was given a 1-game suspension and fined $50,000 today by the NFL.

Smith launched himself head first into Cardinals’ receiver Anquan Boldin‘s helmet, breaking up a potential touchdown pass in the waning moments of the Jets’ 56-35 win over Arizona on Sunday. Boldin laid motionless on the field for several minutes, and was taken from Giants Stadium in an ambulance. Tests on Boldin were negative, and the wide receiver was back in his Phoenix home resting on Monday.

Nice job by Roger Goodell and the NFL office for dealing with this swiftly, and handing down a stern penalty. Smith’s hit could have had far worse effects than it did, and the league was right to make an example of him and his tactics.