The Catch Rule Proposal

[DMD]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000922415/article/catch-rule-recommendations-revealed-ahead-of-vote

 

 

The NFL's attempt to fix the catch rule took another major step forward.

NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating Al Riveron announced Wednesday the Competition Committee will recommend simplifying the language of the catch rule. The proposed changes will be presented next week at the Annual League Meeting.

 

Catch Rule new definition: 

 

1. Control of the ball. 
2. Two feet down or another body part.
3. A football move such as: 
» A third step; 
» Reaching/extending for the line-to-gain;
» Or the ability to perform such an act.

 

The key change in the proposal would eliminate the frustrating going-to-the-ground element of the rule that caused catches to be overturned, like Cowboysreceiver Dez Bryant's against Green Bay in the 2014 playoffs, or Steelerstight end Jesse James' reversed TD against the Patriots this past season.

 

The proposed change won't eliminate all the gray areas, nullify all confusion or completely wipe away controversial calls. The changes could also lead to more fumbles by receivers. However, it's the first significant step in the NFL trying to sort out a rule that has irritated and confounded fans, players and coaches alike for years.

 

[darin3]

10 minutes ago, DMD said:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000922415/article/catch-rule-recommendations-revealed-ahead-of-vote

 

 

The NFL's attempt to fix the catch rule took another major step forward.

NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating Al Riveron announced Wednesday the Competition Committee will recommend simplifying the language of the catch rule. The proposed changes will be presented next week at the Annual League Meeting.

 

Catch Rule new definition: 

 

1. Control of the ball. 
2. Two feet down or another body part.
3. A football move such as: 
» A third step; 
» Reaching/extending for the line-to-gain;
» Or the ability to perform such an act.

 

The key change in the proposal would eliminate the frustrating going-to-the-ground element of the rule that caused catches to be overturned, like Cowboysreceiver Dez Bryant's against Green Bay in the 2014 playoffs, or Steelerstight end Jesse James' reversed TD against the Patriots this past season.

 

The proposed change won't eliminate all the gray areas, nullify all confusion or completely wipe away controversial calls. The changes could also lead to more fumbles by receivers. However, it's the first significant step in the NFL trying to sort out a rule that has irritated and confounded fans, players and coaches alike for years.

 

 

   what?

[DMD]

I wondered if that "Or the ability to perform such an act." was included to cover what happens when a receiver puts two feet down on the sideline and then falls forward  instead of making a football move.

[stevegrab]

Good start lets see how it works in actual games. If the basic gist is "we'll stop using instant replay to find some situation where the ball moved after a catch to rule it a non catch" then great. Sadly some of us have become accustomed to the current rule, and will need to relearn what can be ruled "not a catch".

 

I assume the Calvin Johnson non TD catch that kind of started all this years ago would also be a catch.

 

I also assume that diving to catch, and not controlling the ball will still be ruled incomplete.

[irish]

14 hours ago, stevegrab said:

Good start lets see how it works in actual games. If the basic gist is "we'll stop using instant replay to find some situation where the ball moved after a catch to rule it a non catch" then great. Sadly some of us have become accustomed to the current rule, and will need to relearn what can be ruled "not a catch".

 

I assume the Calvin Johnson non TD catch that kind of started all this years ago would also be a catch.

 

I also assume that diving to catch, and not controlling the ball will still be ruled incomplete.

 

The Calvin Johnson catch, imo, was a catch back then when it happened. That was a ridiculous call, even based on the crap rule. 

[darin3]

Unanimously approved by owners.

[stevegrab]

No other significant rule changes, one that was tabled relates to assistant coaches being able to be hired while their team is in post season play, AKA the Josh McDaniel rule.

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000923342/article/nfl-teams-unanimously-approve-simplified-catch-rule

[Cowboyz1]

Well, they passed the new catch rule which should have been that way since the beginning. So now it's proof positive that we were robbed and Dez's CATCH that everyone who knows football new it was a catch is now officially a blown call that cost us a chance to beat GB in GB and move on to the Championship game. Suckage...........that's all I have to say about it. Major Suckage......

[stevegrab]

13 hours ago, Cowboyz1 said:

Well, they passed the new catch rule which should have been that way since the beginning. So now it's proof positive that we were robbed and Dez's CATCH that everyone who knows football new it was a catch is now officially a blown call that cost us a chance to beat GB in GB and move on to the Championship game. Suckage...........that's all I have to say about it. Major Suckage......

 

Look who woke up.....

 

No the rules at the time said that was not a catch, same for Megatron and Jesse James. Every team played by the same rules, your whining is stupid.