NFL Owners Approve New Parameters For What Defines A Catch

ORLANDO, Fla. (CBS11 SPORTS/AP) - If only the rule was in place in January of 2015 when Dez Bryant's soaring snag of a Tony Romo pass had the Cowboys in prime position to score, put away the Packers, and advance the NFC Championship Game.  Instead, the play was ruled incomplete and it lives in infamy. 

But Tuesday, NFL owners approved rule changes defining what is a catch on Tuesday, hoping to eliminate much of the controversy and confusion that plagued the league in recent years.

In simplifying the language of the rule, as recommended by the competition committee, the new standards require three elements:

— having control of the ball;

— getting two feet down or another body part;

— making a football move, such as taking a third step or extending the ball.

The committee cited overturned receptions by tight ends Jesse James of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Zach Miller of the Chicago Bears last season, and went back to similar negated catches by Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys and Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions in previous seasons.

Also approved was making permanent spotting the ball at the 25-yard line after a touchback on a kickoff; allowing players on injured reserve to be traded; and authorizing a designated member of the officiating department to instruct on-field game officials to eject a player for a flagrant non-football act when a foul for that act is called on the field.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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