First reported by Delcotimes.com via Twitter, Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel was billed $40,000 by the NFL for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Giants wide receiver Derek Hagan.

Samuel will appeal the fine.

"It's crazy," he said.

Samuel's teammates felt the 15-yard penalty assessed by Ron Winter's crew was unnecessary because the helmet-to-helmet collision was unavoidable.

Additionally Samuel acknowledged he's ticked at Deion Sanders' assessment of him as the best "off corner" in football. The inference was that Samuel wasn't physical enough to bump receivers at the line of scrimmage.

While Samuel issued a "No comment," teammates had something to say.

"If Asante wanted to press, he'd be the best press corner in football," Eagles safety Quintin Mikell said. "He shuts people down. But he understands that if you're playing off, you're going to get more chances to make plays. He has what, seven interceptions? I think he's the best corner in football. I think that qualifier needs to be taken off. I think that's bullbleep."

Also Eagles guard Todd Herremans was fined $5,000 for a high-low block on Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty. Center Mike McGlynn had an arm on the Giant when Herremans cut him. Herremans won't appeal the fine.