Offensive tackle Tyron Smith has been fined $15,750 by the NFL for his horse-collar tackle on linebacker Michael Boley in the Dallas Cowboys' Week 1 24-17 win over the New York Giants, according to Cowboys beat writer Clarence Hill on Twitter.

Boley intercepted a Tony Romo pass in the second quarter and was headed for a pick-six before Smith brought him to the ground after a return of 51 yards. The Giants couldn't punch it in from the 2 after the penalty and settled for a field goal for an early 3-0 lead. So the tackle, while financially costly, saved the Cowboys from an early touchdown deficit.

Indeed, as Smith told ESPN's Dan Graziano, the illegal tackle was worth it. And two years into a contract worth over $12 million, the rare chance for an offensive lineman to make such a crucial tackle was probably worth the money.

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