Football New catch rule approved - Page 2

**DaFace** · 03-27-2018, 06:19 PM

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/2...rule-32-0-vote

NFL owners unanimously approve simplified catch rule
Kevin Seifert

ORLANDO, Fla. -- NFL owners unanimously approved a new catch rule Tuesday, a change designed specifically to avoid a handful of controversies that have vexed the league for most of this decade.

Owners also approved two other rule changes, granting authority to senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron to eject players for non-football acts -- even if it means overruling on-field referees -- and making permanent a temporary rule that put touchbacks after kickoffs at the 25-yard line.

Michael Signora, NFL vice president of football communications, tweeted out the approved rules and bylaws:

The playing rules & bylaws approved by @NFL clubs this morning pic.twitter.com/vyfeqLybLl
— Michael Signora (@NFLfootballinfo) March 27, 2018

The catch rule, proposed by the league's competition committee at the behest of commissioner Roger Goodell, will eliminate the requirement to maintain control of the ball throughout the process of going to the ground. Instead, it will define a catch with a simpler three-step process: A receiver must control the ball, establish himself in bounds and perform a football move such as taking a third step or lunging with the ball in hand.

Most important to the league, the change means that plays such as those involving Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson (2010) and Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant (2014) will be ruled catches in the future.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James, who had a touchdown overturned in the final seconds of a December loss to the New England Patriots because he didn't "survive the ground," applauded the rule change.

"It should have been a touchdown either way," James told Steelers.com. "Whether it was the old rule, or this new rule. To reverse something on review, it has to be clear cut. I feel like they didn't do a good job on that. It's nice to have the rule clearer."

Riveron said earlier this week that "we've basically rewritten the rule." Even so, the change is not likely to eliminate all controversies surrounding the catch. Former NFL officiating chief Dean Blandino suggested earlier this month to expect a swap of debates.

"If the receiver performs an act common to the game," Blandino said, "if he performs a football move, whatever you want to call it, on the way to the ground, if you say that supersedes him having to hold the ball all the way to the ground, then that adds another layer of judgment for the official and in replay.

"You're just shifting the debate from, 'Was he going to the ground and did he hold on to it?' to 'Did he make a football move?'"

The rule to allow in-game ejections from the league's officiating office was designed to address egregious hits last season by New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans in separate incidents.

Both were penalized 15 yards, but referees declined to eject them. Referees will retain the authority to eject players as necessary.

The New York Jets, meanwhile, withdrew a proposal to make all defensive pass interference penalties 15 yards.

**DaFace** · 03-28-2018, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayze

so isn't this 'new rule', just going back to the way it was a few years ago?

That's what it sounds like to me. Though it doesn't mention it specifically, I'm assuming two feet plus control on the sideline is all it takes as well.

Loneiguana · 03-28-2018, 08:36 AM

Mike and ~~Mike~~ Trey were saying this rule was approved for the Superb owl.

I was hoping the article would touch on that a little bit and whether the coaches were informed.

Hasselbeck assumed they would have been, but I'd like to see some info on it. Not because I have any dog in the Superbowl, but more just to know.

**BigRedChief** · 03-28-2018, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperBowl4

NFL's Definition Of A Catch - Approved with a unanimous 32-0 vote by the owners 1. Control of the Ball
2. Two feet down or another body part
3. A football move

Thats not going to be good enough.

The receiver catches the ball, gets two feet down and immediately gets pushed out or falls out of bounds before a "football move" is able to be made. Whether you hold on to the ball or not out of bounds, thats not a catch now?

**DaFace** · 03-28-2018, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Thats not going to be good enough.

The receiver catches the ball, gets two feet down and immediately gets pushed out or falls out of bounds before a "football move" is able to be made. Whether you hold on to the ball or not out of bounds, thats not a catch now?

They have to be oversimplifying for the press. There's no way a "football move" is now required by a guy falling out of bounds.

Zebedee DuBois · 03-28-2018, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

I wanted the 15 yard pass interference because the spot foul is too big a penalty.

..and automatic 1st down. IMO

**Shaid** · 03-28-2018, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

I wanted the 15 yard pass interference because the spot foul is too big a penalty.

I'd agree with this if it also means you can put time back on the clock. Otherwise you sit there with say 8 seconds to go and an would be 40 yard catch to get you in field goal range with 3 seconds left becomes a 15 yard penalty instead, only 3 seconds left.

**TimeForWasp** · 03-28-2018, 05:25 PM

I want to see more players coming off the bench to tackle players to save a touchdown.

dls6501 · 03-28-2018, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperBowl4

NFL's Definition Of A Catch - Approved with a unanimous 32-0 vote by the owners 1. Control of the Ball
2. Two feet down or another body part
3. A football move

This is not accurate. The rule is THE ABILITY to make a football move, not make a football move.

There is a MASSIVE difference in the two, and this is where people are misinterpreting how the rule has changed.

patteeu · 03-28-2018, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

I wanted the 15 yard pass interference because the spot foul is too big a penalty.

Strategically, it's probably good for the new throw-it-downfield Chiefs that they didn't.

**cdcox** · 03-28-2018, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

They have to be oversimplifying for the press. There's no way a "football move" is now required by a guy falling out of bounds.

If going out of bounds is a football move, so is getting tackled or going to the ground. This will still be a mess.

**Easy 6** · 03-29-2018, 04:45 AM

New catch rule - Good

New targeting rule - Bad

The NFL just cant get out of its own ****ing way

Fish · 03-29-2018, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

They have to be oversimplifying for the press. There's no way a "football move" is now required by a guy falling out of bounds.

That's what I was thinking. For a toe-dragging catch out of bounds, what kind of "Move" are you really going to do besides fall down?

A8bil · 03-29-2018, 01:24 PM

Seems to me that some who drags toes on the sideline will have to control the ball when he goes to the ground for it to be a catch.

03-27-2018, 06:19 PM
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $1536899	New catch rule approved http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/2...rule-32-0-vote NFL owners unanimously approve simplified catch rule Kevin Seifert ORLANDO, Fla. -- NFL owners unanimously approved a new catch rule Tuesday, a change designed specifically to avoid a handful of controversies that have vexed the league for most of this decade. Owners also approved two other rule changes, granting authority to senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron to eject players for non-football acts -- even if it means overruling on-field referees -- and making permanent a temporary rule that put touchbacks after kickoffs at the 25-yard line. Michael Signora, NFL vice president of football communications, tweeted out the approved rules and bylaws: The playing rules & bylaws approved by @NFL clubs this morning pic.twitter.com/vyfeqLybLl — Michael Signora (@NFLfootballinfo) March 27, 2018 The catch rule, proposed by the league's competition committee at the behest of commissioner Roger Goodell, will eliminate the requirement to maintain control of the ball throughout the process of going to the ground. Instead, it will define a catch with a simpler three-step process: A receiver must control the ball, establish himself in bounds and perform a football move such as taking a third step or lunging with the ball in hand. Most important to the league, the change means that plays such as those involving Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson (2010) and Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant (2014) will be ruled catches in the future. Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James, who had a touchdown overturned in the final seconds of a December loss to the New England Patriots because he didn't "survive the ground," applauded the rule change. "It should have been a touchdown either way," James told Steelers.com. "Whether it was the old rule, or this new rule. To reverse something on review, it has to be clear cut. I feel like they didn't do a good job on that. It's nice to have the rule clearer." Riveron said earlier this week that "we've basically rewritten the rule." Even so, the change is not likely to eliminate all controversies surrounding the catch. Former NFL officiating chief Dean Blandino suggested earlier this month to expect a swap of debates. "If the receiver performs an act common to the game," Blandino said, "if he performs a football move, whatever you want to call it, on the way to the ground, if you say that supersedes him having to hold the ball all the way to the ground, then that adds another layer of judgment for the official and in replay. "You're just shifting the debate from, 'Was he going to the ground and did he hold on to it?' to 'Did he make a football move?'" The rule to allow in-game ejections from the league's officiating office was designed to address egregious hits last season by New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans in separate incidents. Both were penalized 15 yards, but referees declined to eject them. Referees will retain the authority to eject players as necessary. The New York Jets, meanwhile, withdrew a proposal to make all defensive pass interference penalties 15 yards.
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03-28-2018, 08:36 AM	#17
Loneiguana In Search of a Life Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Jefferson City Casino cash: $1182570	Mike and ~~Mike~~ Trey were saying this rule was approved for the Superb owl. I was hoping the article would touch on that a little bit and whether the coaches were informed. Hasselbeck assumed they would have been, but I'd like to see some info on it. Not because I have any dog in the Superbowl, but more just to know. __________________ "Most of us can, as we choose, make of this world either a palace or a prison." –John Lubbock
Posts: 30,563

03-28-2018, 05:25 PM	#22
TimeForWasp Sprinkle in some Mahomes Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Butte Montana Casino cash: $7678507	I want to see more players coming off the bench to tackle players to save a touchdown. __________________ Posted via Slingshot using Rocks eBay sniper
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03-29-2018, 04:45 AM	#26
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $3237775	New catch rule - Good New targeting rule - Bad The NFL just cant get out of its own ****ing way
Posts: 92,220

03-29-2018, 01:24 PM	#28
A8bil Veteran Join Date: Sep 2017 Casino cash: $2990400	Seems to me that some who drags toes on the sideline will have to control the ball when he goes to the ground for it to be a catch.
Posts: 1,020