Teams will also be able to trade players who are on injured reserve.
The infamous catch rule, king of many extended and uncertain replay reviews, is getting the facelift many have called for years.
It’s getting simpler.
The NFL owners have officially passed a new and reduced version of the catch rule. They voted on it at the league owners meetings in Orlando, and the change passed, in addition to a few other rule and bylaw changes:
The catch rule is the headliner because it’s become one of the biggest point of contention among players, coaches and fans with the current product of the league. Infamous moments have dotted the past decade in the NFL, from Calvin Johnson’s nullified touchdown against the Bears in 2010 to the Jesse James touchdown called back in a Steelers loss to the Patriots last season.
Phrases such as “completing the process of the catch” and distinguishing between when a player is a receiver and a runner have extended replays and left the players involved at times confused about what exactly constitutes a reception. The NFL is hoping to curb that now with three new guidelines to establish one:
The final phrase leaves questions about how clear the rule will end up being in its enforcement. As with many changes, the league will have to see how it unfolds in real time in the heat of a game before it has a true read on its clarity.
But the mere attempt to simplify the rule has drawn favor from various NFL players, such as Lions receiver Golden Tate, who has been involved in more than one controversial catch, including the infamous Fail Mary.
One rule that had gained popularity from some in the league, including Lions general manager Bob Quinn, has been tabled for the time being: the ability for a team to hire a coach before his team is finished in the postseason. Detroit waited until after the Super Bowl to formally sign or even acknowledge the intent to sign Matt Patricia. The Colts found themselves waiting just as long on Josh McDaniels only to find out he was staying as offensive coordinator of the Patriots, even after they’d signed and locked in assistants for his new staff.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick was one of the strong proponents of keeping the rule as is, ESPN reported.
