re: So now the ball was tipped??

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Neither are true.

Defensive player was right in the line of sight of the ball and the receiver could see him plainly as daylight coming right at him.

This wasn't a blind hit.

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GTFO with this. The NFL rulebook says NOTHING about line of sight at any position with regard to this rule. It doesn’t matter if the receiver can see the defensive player, or whether the defensive player can see the ball (which he sure as shite couldn’t in this case). The only thing that matters in determining whether a receiver is defenseless is that he is attempting to catch a pass and has not had time to clearly establish himself as a runner. The 2018 rule revisions even state, “A receiver is considered defenseless throughout the entire process of a catch, up until the player is capable of avoiding or warding off impending contact.”

Considering that Lewis got trucked as soon as he turned to attempt the catch by a DB who never even tried to locate the ball and was coming at him like a guided missile, I’d say that’s the very definition of “unnecessary contact on a player in a defenseless posture” as outlined by the NFL rulebook.

Interference and simultaneous helmet-to-helmet hit on the NO Saints receiver while the ball is 4-5 yards before reaching the impact point.

My how his story changed from his admission last Sunday afternoon.