The NFL owners approved three rule changes today. The biggest one is updated language in the definition of a catch. The league is responding to a lot of backlash about the previously shaky language regarding what is and what isn’t a catch. They stripped down all the jargon and simplified the definition. Now, for a play to be considered a catch it must meet three requirements. The receiver must establish control of the ball, establish himself inbounds (still two feet), and perform a “football move”. A football move is considered a maneuver common to the game, such as a third step or lunging with the ball. So yes, the infamous Dez Bryant non-catch (2014, pictured above) and Calvin Johnson’s non-catch (2010) would have been catches under the new language and will be called as such from this point forward.
Overall, I think this a huge step forward. I will always be in favor of simplifying things. These referees are professionals too and they know how to do their job. This just makes their job easier. This will not end speculation and debate over catch calls though. There will always be something to debate over. Now, that focus will be placed on the “football move”. What counts as a football move? Did the receiver actually complete the move? Was the move completed before the ground separates the ball? This rule change doesn’t make the catch a perfect science, but no amount of change will. There will always be an area of judgment that will change across different people. But this simplifies the decision making process for the people in charge of making these judgements and that is win for me.
The other rule changes are less significant but will still prove to be difference makers. The temporary, trial rule that changed touchbacks on kickoffs to the 25 yard line was made permanent. The rule had good results in its trial run. It helps limit the amount of touchbacks and increases the amount of exciting returns while still keeping the safety benefits of kicking off from the 35. The third rule is completely new. Al Riveron, the senior vice president of officiating, now has the authority to eject a player from a game for non-football acts even if the on-field referees choose not to. This rule was in response to big hits that were penalized but did not result in ejection. I’m sure this rule will get a lot of attention the first time it is enacted. It will be difficult for players and coaches to accept the influence coming from outside the stadium, but in the long run I think this is a good move. The NFL needs to continue to clean up the game from a safety standpoint if it wants to stick around.