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I think this avoiding the penalty stuff is overstated. Hitting a defenseless receiver has never been called for incidental contact. Unless he launches himself at Kearse's head, there is no threat of penalty. If you go in looking to hurt the receiver (aka, Brandon Meriweathering), yes, you will get called, but making a play on the ball will not warrant a flag.
If you can find me examples of other plays where guys purposely avoided an opposing player while a tipped ball was in the air, maybe I would consider he did what was coached - but I think we're inventing an excuse. I would love to hear from someone who has played in the secondary, I could be wrong.
You are talking about split second decision making, not going to scour the internet looking for an example.. IMO the decision not to hit him was the right thing to do, based on what looked like an incomplete pass..
In the long offseason, this is the major bytch???
The rules.. termed unnecessary roughness.
http://nflcommunications.com/2011/12/27/definition-of-a-defenseless-player/
It is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture.
2) A receiver attempting to catch a pass; or who has completed a catch and has not had time to protect himself or has not clearly become a runner. If the receiver/runner is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent, he is no longer a defenseless player;
(5) A player on the ground at the end of a play;