A call for consistency. (Insider).

When Emmitt Smith ran 11 yards to pass Walter Payton on the career rushing list, did you notice the block by Cowboys rookie receiver Antonio Bryant? Bryant dived into the back of a Seattle safety, leading with Iris helmet. That hit was about as aggressive and violent as could be, but no one batted an eyelash.

Eagles safety Brian Dawkins wasn't so lucky. The night after Emmitt set the record, Dawkins stuck his helmet in Giants receiver Ike Hilliard's chest on a deep pass near the goal line, flattening him. But he arrived a second late, after the ball had hit the ground, and was penalized for unnecessary roughness. He wasn't suspended, as Chargers safety Rodney Harrison was for a hit on Raiders receive Jerry Rice, but the NFL fined Dawkins $50,000.

I don't condone Dawkins' hit. It was late and he deserved to be flagged. And it's terrible that Hilliard is out for the year with a dislocated shoulder. But Dawkins' hit wasn't any worse than Bryant's block, or any of dozens of other hits than appear to be perfectly fine with the league.

For some reason, it's OK for a fullback ...