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Ingram's hit

Several fans have emailed regarding the fourth-quarter hit taken by QB Tom Brady in Sunday's game against the Jaguars, wondering if it was spearing (which is illegal).

Here is a little bit of follow-up from that play:

* On the Jaguars' official website, Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio defends the hit delivered by rookie LB Clint Ingram.

* In the Florida-Times Union, Ingram said the hit on Brady wasn't intentional. He added that he has yet to hear from the NFL regarding a possible fine.

* As for spearing, it is covered in the NFL rule book under Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8(g). The rule reads as follows: "Using any part of a player’s helmet (including the top/crown and forehead/“hairline” parts) or facemask to butt, spear, or ram an opponent violently or unnecessarily; although such violent or unnecessary use of the helmet and facemask is impermissible against any opponent, game officials will give special attention in administering this rule to protecting those players who are in virtually defenseless postures (e.g., a player in the act of or just after throwing a pass, a receiver catching or attempting to catch a pass, a runner already in the grasp of a tackler, a kickoff or punt returner attempting to field a kick in the air, or a player on the ground at the end of a play). All players in virtually defenseless postures are protected by the same prohibitions against use of the helmet and facemask that are described in the roughing-the-passer rules."