Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas has been fined $5,000 for what many saw as a questionable roughing-the-passer penalty in Monday night's season opener.

The penalty came in the fourth quarter of Monday night's game, when Thomas wrapped up 231-pound Bills quarterback Trent Edwards, who did not immediately go down. Thomas ended up slamming Edwards to the ground, drawing a penalty flag. Buffalo got an automatic first down at the New England 21, and eventually went in for a touchdown to take a 24-13 lead that would not hold up.

The foul was panned by the ESPN broadcasting team -- including former quarterback Ron Jaworski -- and by many who pointed out that given the size of quarterbacks these days, they just don't go down as easily as they used to.

Thomas told The Boston Globe's Christopher Gasper that he would appeal, and said that these kind of situations put defensive players "between a rock and a hard place. Do you let the guy go and let him throw the ball? He is a tough guy then."