Emma: What Is A Catch? NFL Must Reform Reception Rules
By Chris Emma--
(CBS) What defines a catch in the NFL? No, seriously. Does anybody know anymore?
By all indications, here's the real process of a catch: a receiver attempts to complete a reception but often is guilty of a momentary bobble of the football. It may or may not hit the ground. A video review is called upon. From there, chaos ensues.
The head referee gets under the hood and gives a detailed look at a play that seems so obvious, deliberating for several minutes. The network broadcast brings on its retired referee to offer his take, often far removed from the current rules that not even the present officials understand.
Following the video review, the referee announces to America that what was clearly a catch isn't actually a catch for reasons nobody really knows, including the people whose lone job is to enforce said rules. As a result, the entire game is compromised.
Fear not, because to close out the process of a catch, NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino makes a video attempting to back his officials, only creating further confusion.
Nobody knows what a catch is anymore -- not the officials, not the coaches, not the fans and not even the receivers. The NFL had good intentions with its rules, but then rules were added upon more rules, leading us to present day.
Naturally, this catch crisis culminated in a defining Super Bowl sequence, one that may have cost the Panthers dearly in a quest for a championship. Jerricho Cotchery had the reception over the middle, one initially ruled incomplete. Carolina coach Ron Rivera challenged, and the call was upheld. Rivera was in shock, as was much of the 111 million that watched Super Bowl 50.
Two plays later, the Panthers were backed up toward their own end zone when Broncos edge rusher Von Miller stripped Cam Newton of the football and Malik Jackson recovered in the end zone for an important touchdown.
Had Cotchery been granted the reception that seemed so clear, the Panthers would've been set near midfield and looking to eliminate the Broncos' 3-0 lead. Instead, Newton was under duress deep in Carolina territory, and Miller turned the game to Denver's favor.
Catches that weren't catches changed the course of far too many games this season. In Detroit in October, the Bears were left flustered by a clear Jonathan Anderson interception that was somehow ruled a Golden Tate touchdown, a deciding play in their 37-34 overtime loss to the Lions.
Coincidentally, the NFL's reception rules took a turn for weirdness during a Bears-Lions game in 2010, with the Calvin Johnson Rule, as Johnson's go-ahead touchdown catch against the Bears was ruled incomplete because officials ruled he didn't complete the catch. Johnson reflected on the bizarre rules after the Tate touchdown against the Bears last October.
"I thought I understood the rule," Johnson said after the 2015 game. "I don't think anybody does know."
Let's throw the challenge flag for the NFL: overturn the current catch rules -- whatever they are. Make it clear for all who observe, enforce and play football what's a catch and what's not. It's really not too much to ask.
Come back in 2016 with more defined regulations for what constitutes a reception. Games shouldn't be marred with catch controversy.
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
