Chris Hope expecting fine for hit on Victor Cruz

Atlanta Falcons safety Chris Hope said he is expecting to be fined for his hit on New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz on Sunday, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC.

Hope was called for unnecessary roughness for a helmet-to-helmet hit on the third-year receiver out of UMass:

On a third-and-4 from New York's 26-yard line with 10:17 left in the third quarter, Hope leveled Cruz, who was running down the left side of the field. The gamebook read, "No Play. Blow to the head."

"Hopefully, I won't (be fined) but there are rules and regulations," Hope said. "I'm not a dirty player. It was just a part of the game. I got caught in a situation where I just made a play on the ball. It was a hit that I didn't think was head-to-head, but it's probably going to be a fine."

Hope later said, after reviewing the play, that he did make contact with Cruz's helmet.

Hope is an 11-year veteran of the NFL. He is in his first season with the Falcons. In 14 games this year, Hope has five tackles.

Hope came to Atlanta after spending four years in Pittsburgh and six in Tennessee. He was a regular starter with the Titans, racking up 365 tackles in 85 games.

Cruz was a breakout player for the Giants last season. In 16 games he caught 82 passes for 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns. Cruz is having another solid season this year. He's caught 79 passes for 1,019 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games.