re: So did FL catcher block plate illegally or not?

I didn't see the play live, but here is how it is taught-

On a possible tag play at the plate, the catcher should put his left heel on the front 3B corner of the plate with his left foot pointed directly down the 3B foul line. This gives the runner an unobstructed path to the back of the plate. Once the catcher receives the ball, he can take away as much of the plate as necessary to make the tag by moving his left foot slightly further into foul territory and dropping his right knee. The left shin guard is what the runner slides into, thus protecting the catcher.

Judging by the still shot on page 1 in the thread, he appeared to be in pretty decent position.