Garcia late hit draws $25K fine

AN NFL spokesman tells us the Vikings' DE Ray Edwards has been fined $25,000 by the NFL for two infractions against the Bucs last Sunday, including a vicious late hit on QB Jeff Garcia that opened a gash in his chin.

Edwards also committed another foul that was deemed unnecessary roughness when he "leg whipped" an unidentified Bucs player, the league said.

Bucs DL Jimmy Wilkerson was not fined for a hit that drew an unnecessary roughness penalty because he made contact with Minnesota QB Gus Frerrotte's head.

Edwards is permitted to appeal the fine, though it's not known whether he intends to. The $25,000 sum is a sizable fine. Based on his 2008 base salary of $445,000, Edwards makes roughly $27,812 for each game.