Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

So right before the worst call ever Butler and Kearse went up together for the ball, both came down and the ball was still free and Kearse makes the catch - however, while the ball was still alive, #30 for the Patriots - Harmon - goes over Kearse thinking the ball is dead - what if he had dropped down and hit Kearse hard at that point, preventing the catch - would that have drawn a penalty?