Florida State 1st Quarter Interception

[InsideTheStripe]

Let me start by saying it looked like there might have been a hold coming out of the break that could have lead to a DPI call.

However, that's not the interesting part of the play to me... any particular reason why this shouldn't have been a targeting foul on A80?

He clearly attacks the head of the safety who manages to come up with the interception. I guess whether or not it was a foul depends on whether or not a safety can be considered a defenseless player. We all know that (a) receiver attempting to catch a pass, or one who has completed a catch and has not had time to protect himself or has not clearly become a ball carrier (2-27-14-b).

Unless I'm missing it, receiver doesn't seem to be a defined term. On a play like this, I'd argue that B-2 was as defenseless as any team A receiver or any team B kick receiver.

I'm interested to hear people's thoughts on a play like this (a) under the letter of current rule set and (b) under the spirit of the current rule set.