The Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Six players were fined a total of $40,000 Friday for their roles in the sideline scuffle at the end of the Vikings-Packers game Sunday night.

Antuan Edwards, Mike McKenzie and Nate Wayne of Green Bay and Hunter Goodwin, Jim Kleinsasser and Chris Walsh of Minnesota were fined. All said they would appeal, except for Walsh and Wayne, who refused comment.

Green Bay defensive tackle Cletidus Hunt was not fined, despite running across the field to join the fray before the final play was over.

The Vikings were miffed that Hunt escaped punishment.

"You've got a guy who comes off the field in the middle of the play, runs past the field at our bench, and he doesn't get a lick?" Kleinsasser said.

There had been some concern in Green Bay earlier in the week that Hunt might even be suspended. He can be seen on film hitting Goodwin in the face with an open hand as the fight was breaking up.

"They made the right call," Hunt said with a laugh Friday. "Now, I can tease some of the guys."

Edwards was fined $5,000 for hitting Walsh after the Vikings receiver had caught the ball and taken a knee, declaring himself down with one second left in the game to give his team a chance for one last play.

The Vikings were infuriated with Edwards' hart hit and said that's what sparked the fight. The Packers won the game on Tony Fisher's 14-yard run with 1:06 left.

Edwards was fined despite the league's acknowledgment that the officials erred in not blowing the whistle and declaring Walsh off-limits. Packers coach Mike Sherman has said Edwards had every right to hit Walsh because no whistle had blown, and he was trying to force a fumble to secure the win.

Sherman refused to publicly criticize the fines Friday, saying he just wanted to close the ugly chapter in the teams' rivalry.

"It was unfortunate that it happened, very unfortunate. And we certainly don't want that to be part of us. But we have to move forward, and I think we have moved forward," Sherman said.

He said the fines would be appealed and insisted the brawl hasn't been a distraction as the team prepares for a crucial game at San Francisco.

Sherman declined to reveal what he told his trio of offenders when he huddled with them after practice Friday.

"If I wanted you guys to be part of that message, I would have brought them over here and had it over here," Sherman said.

McKenzie didn't want to talk about his fine.

"Out of all the days, this is the day you want to cut me a break," McKenzie said as he walked away from his locker in a huff.

McKenzie was fined $5,000 for striking an opponent "who was obviously out of the play," and Wayne was fined $5,000 for hitting Vikings receiver Randy Moss in the back on the final play of the game, a 66-yard interception return by Darren Sharper that fueled the fight.

Goodwin and Kleinsasser were fined $10,000 each for leaving the sideline and striking an opponent, and Walsh was fined $5,000 for hitting Marques Anderson in the back during Sharper's return.

Walsh apparently mistook Anderson for Edwards and sped right past Sharper to go after Anderson.

Walsh refused to comment about it Friday and Goodwin, and Vikings coach Mike Tice also declined to discuss the discipline.

The players learned of their punishment a day later than usual. Gene Washington, the NFL's director of football operations, who metes out punishment for rules violations, needed more time to review videotape.

Brett Favre and Chris Hovan got into a verbal spat about 50 yards away from the brawl when Favre made an obscene hand gesture toward Hovan. Neither player was fined because it happened after the game.

Favre apologized this week and said he meant no disrespect, and Hovan attributed their heated exchange to their ultra-competitive nature.

SEAHAWKS: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is expected to start against Atlanta on Sunday after spraining his left foot during last weekend's loss to Philadelphia.

Hasselbeck took almost all the snaps with the first team at practice.

"I think he's going to start, but we'll see how he feels (today)," coach Mike Holmgren said.

Jeff George, who has not played this season, would start if Hasselbeck cannot play.

GIANTS: Defensive end Michael Strahan missed practice because of a strained neck but is expected to play against Dallas Sunday.

Strahan, who leads the Giants with 11 sacks this season, was lifting weights before practice Thursday when he felt a muscle pull in his chest, coach Jim Fassel said.

Starting cornerbacks Will Allen and Will Peterson are expected to play Sunday. Allen missed last week's game with a shoulder injury. Peterson was sidelined two games with a concussion.

EAGLES: Defensive end Brandon Whiting sprained his ankle in practice and is questionable for Sunday's game against Washington.

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