Josh Baker, the young TE for the Jets had his season ended last Sunday against the Panthers.
Ball was thrown to him in endzone. The defender covering him tackled him as ball arrived knocking it loose.
A Carolina DB not in the immediate area charged back and speared an immobilized Baker's knee, causing major damage. I'm not calling it a cheap shot, but it did not look like a good football play to me.
But my main question is: how does the NFL treat "separating the receiver from the ball" on plays in the endzone?
Of course it's pass interference if the ball is still in the air. But is it legal to just tackle a receiver as he's catching the ball, thereby knocking it out and preventing the reception?
