Hampton Wonders if League is Doing Enough About Chop Blocks

After giving up 170 yards on the ground to the Ravens in Week 1, including 103 in the first half, players on the Steelers defense is wondering if the league is doing enough to protect players from cut and chop blocks, writes Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

“You can get hurt from an illegal chop block, but I guess it isn’t an illegal chop block if they don’t call it,” nose tackle Casey Hampton said.

According to Kaboly, the 34-year-old Hampton was cut- or chop-blocked on the Ravens’ first four run plays on Sunday.

“There is really nothing you can do when you are engaged and fighting with a guy and they come chopping at your legs,” Hampton said. “If it keeps happening, something is going to have to happen. I can’t keep getting chopped up like that when I am engaged.”

Steelers defenders won’t get a reprieve from cut blocks when they host the Seattle Seahawks this week. Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable’s zone-blocking system frequently cuts opposing defenders to open up rushing lanes on the backside. Kaboly notes that chop blocks are rarely called in the NFL, so it will be interesting to