Unsportmanslike tackle on Hines?

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Here's the way I saw it:

1) Hines catch.
2) Hines tackled. Play over, right?

So far, OK. But then:

3) After Hines tackled (knees down, forward progress stopped, whatever), the defender continued his application of force, against a defenseless receiver. The man was down, play over ... why was the defender pulling and twisting the receiver with all his might? Even if he caused the ball to come loose, the play was over!

I think this really was the equivalent of a late hit.

Thoughts?

[snarky]

Don't really see it that way. Because the receiver has to maintain possession the whole way through, I saw it as the defender trying to shake the ball loose.

[mshifko]

no...it was just an unfortunate play, nothing intentional by any means IMO

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

no...it was just an unfortunate play, nothing intentional by any means IMO

Maybe, mshifko, and if it were any other team but the Roadkills I wouldn't think too much about it . But after seeing what they did to Chris Johnson (?) the Titans WR after the initial tackle (remember that post where they showed two guys keeping him immobile, and a 3rd one trying to bend him backwards so he almost broke in two?), I kind of wonder if they are coached to cause injury after tackles.

[proudpittsburgher]

eh, none of this is an issue if Hines didn't have his foot planted in the turf to cause that to happen. It was just unfortunate, and very fortunate in that he should be OK. That was [pretty gruesome to watch.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Watch the play at regular speed, not slow-mo...there was nothing unsportsmanlike about it, just a good tackle that happened to catch Ward's knee in an unfortunate position.
That's all.

[Mel Blount's G]

Not even close imo.

[Djfan]

Clean and no problem