Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith fined $15,750 for horse-collar tackle

Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith's wallet will be a little lighter after the NFL fined him $15,750 for a horse-collar tackle. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith will not be too happy about the fine the NFL handed him for a horse-collar tackle, but his coach certainly is praising the move calling it the play of the game.

Smith will be docked $15,750, according to Fox Sports Southwest for a tackle on Giants linebacker Michael Boley after Boley picked off Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and was headed for a certain touchdown. The Giants ended up kicking a field goal on the ensuing possession and the Cowboys won the game 24-17.

"It was a really big play in the game," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "As coaches, we always try to emphasize the ball, and the importance of the ball. ...One of the things we talk about is when there is a turnover, going to get the ball back, going to make the tackle if there is an interception or the other team is running with the football. You can preach that until you're blue in the face, but until that situation happens in the game, it's hard to know if guys are going to respond the right way."