Scott Brown of ESPN reported from the Steelers locker room that even after the game Cameron Heyward was none-too-pleased with the “dirty play” of the Browns on Sunday.

Defensive end Cameron Heyward didn’t hide his anger in the visiting locker room at FirstEnergy Field, and not just because the Steelers had been embarrassed by one of their archrivals. Heyward was still fuming at getting chop-blocked several times. Late in the fourth quarter, Heyward hurt his ankle and angrily pointed at Browns left tackle Joe Thomas several times as he walked off the field. Heyward did not sustain a significant injury, but that’s beside the point, the fourth-year veteran said. “It’s a dirty play,” Heyward said of chop-blocking. “We talk so much about safety. We don’t do a good job of keeping it safe for everybody. I think it’s cowardly thing, but if [the Browns are] going to coach it like that, that’s their call.”

Our friends over at Steelers Depot have the GIFs.

Steelers Depot also points out that this is not a new complaint for the Steelers. Nose tackle Steve McLendon accused the Browns of chop blocking illegally three times during Week 1.

There’s no doubt that it’s dangerous for an offensive lineman to go low in a blocking scheme. Anytime you are purposely making contact with a guy’s knees or lower leg, bad things can happen. It seems like Joe Thomas probably violated the rule in one form or another, if I’m being perfectly honest. If Heyward was engaged with another lineman, it would be illegal according to the rules.

CHOP BLOCK ON RUN (BY A LINEMAN)

(6) On a running play, A1, an offensive lineman, chops a defensive player after the defensive player has

been engaged by A2 (high or low), and the initial alignment of A2 is more than one position away from

A1. This rule applies only when the block occurs at a time when the flow of the play is clearly away

from A1.

And even if Heyward wasn’t engaged, Joe Thomas might have violated the new version of the rule because he blocked Heyward from a blind position. In order for it to be a legal “cut block” Thomas would have to square up the defender so he can see him coming.

Ed Bouchette from the Post Gazette…

It’s only legal if the “chop” comes from a lineman playing next to the one doing the initial blocking and not two men over. But the rule changed this year. Now, the “chop” blocker, to be legal, must get his head in front of the man he is blocking so the defender can see him and has a chance to defend himself.

We’ll see if the league has anything to say about it later this week. Even thought Thomas wasn’t penalized on the play, I am guessing the NFL has mechanism to fine him if they find his actions egregious.