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NFL catch rule changes approved as standard for completion is simplified

Under the new language, establishing a catch would require control, two feet (or another body part) in bounds and a football move.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) is unable to catch a pass against Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields in the fourth quarter in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. (Photo: Andrew Weber, USA TODAY Sports)

The NFL is taking another crack at its catch rule.

NFL owners voted unanimously Tuesday in Orlando to approve revisions to the controversial ruling and simplify the standard for what is to be ruled a completion.

Under the new language, establishing a catch would require control, two feet (or another body part) in bounds and a football move. The "surviving the ground" element, which proved to be a sticking point on some of the league's most notable rulings, no longer applies.

In a news conference Monday, NFL officiating director Al Riveron highlighted several notable non-catches that would be ruled completions under the new guidelines, including plays from former Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson in 2010, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant in the 2014 divisional playoffs, and Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James last year.

“Our goal was to simplify and provide clarity and I think we’ve done that,” said competition committee member Mike Tomlin, the coach of the Steelers. “As a committee, we were very comfortable with what we presented to membership."

Competition committee chairman Rich McKay said that Bryant's play served as a wake-up call, but that trying to provide specific wording to rectify the issue proved difficult.

"Every time, we tried to add language to cure a situation," said McKay, president of the Atlanta Falcons "and that did not serve us well.

Added Rams coach Sean McVay: “I think when you talk about where some of the gray has existed, a lot of it is in the semantics of the words. But really, the third element, whether it’s determining that third step or controlling the ball or making a football movement where the Jesse James play, and everyone wants to make mention of the Dez Bryant play from a few years ago, this will clear up some of the plays that have become controversial as well.

"Those guys did a great job on the competition committee - Sean (Payton) and Mike (Tomlin) and other people involved in that - they did a great job of being proactive in trying to clear up the issues. There’s always going to be things that come up in this game but this did a good job of clearing this up.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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