NFL’s “catch rule” annoying, confusing everyone

It’s a catch. Wait, there’s a catch to the catch.

While coaches, players, fans and broadcasters become puzzled or annoyed by the NFL’s “catch rule,” the people in charge of developing and refining it through the years also have struggled. They simply couldn’t find language to simplify it, leading to the inconsistency and controversy seen for seasons.

Especially this season.

When such NFL personages as Mike Tomlin and Sean Payton, both with strong ties to the powerful competition committee, seek re-examination and possibly changes to rules, it moves the issue front and center, just as much as the call on Pittsburgh tight end Jesse James did last weekend.

“I think that we all can acknowledge that all of this needs to be revisited,” Steelers coach Tomlin said. “It’s not just that play. We’re having similar discussions sure they understand week in and week the rules. out, so as a member of the It should be simple, committee, I acknowledge right? Receive the ball, that we’ve got our work cut hold onto it, get tackled out for us this offseason regarding and never have it move 6x3 ad position a number of those when you get to the things. ground.

“I’m just done talking Except there are instances about it, to be quite honest when it can move as long with you. You all know as control is maintained. what we teach. Catch the It’s just another example football.” of an NFL rule book with

Some players do, yet discover so many tangents that it they didn’t. They’re would crush even the heftiest confused by some of the offensive lineman if it calls. Even worse, they aren’t fell on top of him.

“Yeah, I don’t even know what the language is at this point,” said Bears tight end Zach Miller , who lost a TD reception by not “surviving the ground” on a play in which he was injured and sidelined for the rest of the season. “I don’t think a lot of people ... I don’t even know if the rule-makers do at this point know what the language is. But they have it there and it’s in place and they’re trying to follow it as closely as they can. I just don’t know if it’s what it needs to be.”

Even the current head of league officials, Alberto Riveron, and the man he succeeded, Dean Blandino, agree that getting the language right is difficult. Many others would add getting the call right is more difficult.

Two years ago, the league consulted with a group of players that included Hall of Famers Steve Largent and Tim Brown, plus current NFLers.