Roger wants to change the catch rule (1 Viewer)

If they continue to "write the language" to address every potential scenario involved in a player catching the ball, we will continue to see problems. It's how we got into this mess in the first place. 

There is nothing wrong with a subjective rule. There are plenty of them in the NFL rulebook yet they have attempted to make the definition of a catch objective, for reasons I'll never understand. 

New rule being proposed to the Competition Committee will thankfully go back to allowing judgment:

Al Riveron‏ @alriveron

After much deliberation & input from coaches, players, @NFLLegends, & club executives, the @NFL Competition Committee will recommend the following language simplifying the catch rule at the Annual Meeting next week.

1. Control

2. 2 feet down or another body part

3. A football move such as 1) a 3rd step, 2) reaching/extending for the line-of-gain, 3) or the ability to perform such an act

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RUSF18 said:

New rule being proposed to the Competition Committee will thankfully go back to allowing judgment:

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Don't like 3.3. Wtf is the "ability" to perform an act? Just sounds like cutesy wording to give more power to the refs in critical situations.

ShamrockPride said:

Don't like 3.3. Wtf is the "ability" to perform an act? Just sounds like cutesy wording to give more power to the refs in critical situations.

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They should have the power. It is literally their job. They should be making the calls live, while watching the game action as has been done forever, and not expect to be able to "get it right" by watching frame by frame breakdowns that take 5 minutes and still don't end up being the right call sometimes. 

They usually come out with interpretations of the rule after the fact, and I'm guessing that part will basically address the time component of the catch process while still leaving it subjective. Think of this extreme example: a WR catches the ball (clear control) and then just stands there (2 feet down) for 3 seconds. He doesn't move and doesn't get tackled immediately. Then a DB comes and rips the ball out of his hands and a teammate recovers it. That's a catch and a fumble, because while the WR didn't make a football move, he had the ability to.  

Interesting that they are considering all Pass Interference penalties be 15 yard penalties instead of spot fouls.

Casting Couch said:

Interesting that they are considering all Pass Interference penalties be 15 yard penalties instead of spot fouls.

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I'd expect to see a lot of tackling of players trying to catch long passes.

Tool said:

I'd expect to see a lot of tackling of players trying to catch long passes.

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Do you watch much college football?