By next season, it's possible that we'll get a better understanding of what a catch is in a football game
When NFL team owners and executives gather Sunday through Wednesday in Orlando for the Annual League Meeting, the owners will vote on several rule and bylaw changes. Among the 10 playing rule changes, proposal No. 2 could be the most crucial — an attempt to simplify catch/no-catch rulings.
In the proposal, slight movement of the [...]
By next season, it's possible that we'll get a better understanding of what a catch is in a football game
When NFL team owners and executives gather Sunday through Wednesday in Orlando for the Annual League Meeting, the owners will vote on several rule and bylaw changes. Among the 10 playing rule changes, proposal No. 2 could be the most crucial — an attempt to simplify catch/no-catch rulings.
In the proposal, slight movement of the ball would no longer be deemed a loss of control. After the ball is thrown, players will have to secure control of the ball prior to the ball touching the ground. This means getting two feet down or another body part and/or making a football move such as a third step or reaching or extending.
Furthermore, if a player extends the ball toward the goal line or first-down marker and there is slight movement, it would not result in an incompletion. In previous seasons, receivers had to maintain full control when going to the ground.
That was seen in the Patriots' Week 15 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. Although Steelers tight end Jesse James caught a potential game-winning touchdown pass, the score was called back because the ball moved in his hands and hit the ground when he extended it over the goal line. Under the proposed change, James’ touchdown would’ve counted. Had the Steelers won that game, they would’ve liked secured the AFC’s No. 1 seed and the Patriots would’ve went into the playoffs as the No. 2 seed.
Another rule change of note, proposed by the New York Jets, would change the enforcement for defensive pass interference. Under this proposal, the flag would now be a 15-yard penalty from the previous spot instead of a spot foul where the infraction occurred. This would eliminate quarterbacks from throwing long passes up for grabs in the hopes of getting a flag.
Among the several resolutions under consideration, one would allow teams to negotiate with and hire a head coach during the postseason even if the candidate's team is in the playoffs. This became an issue in February when Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels reneged on taking the head coaching with the Indianapolis Colts after the Super Bowl. At that point, the Colts were left with much fewer coaching options.
Rule changes must be approved by 24 of the NFL’s 32 franchises.
Although the rule changes will create some news, there are also other things worth monitoring for Patriots fans. Typically, Patriots owner Robert Kraft speaks to the media for the first time after the conclusion of the previous season. Kraft will likely be asked about the state of the relationship between Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, and the status of tight end Rob Gronkowski and his potential retirement (or his unhappiness with his contract).
On Tuesday, NFL head coaches are set to meet with the media. But will Belichick attend? Last year, the Patriots head coach skipped his media duties to attend a Pro Day in Florida. Belichick talked the previous years (although rarely said much). Still, if Belichick does talk, he’ll likely be asked about Malcolm Butler’s benching, his relationship with Brady and Gronkowski.
We’ll also hear from rookie head coaches Matt Patricia, former Pats defensive coordinator who now leads the Detroit Lions, and former Patriots player Mike Vrabel, who was hired by the Tennessee Titans.