With 7:25 remaining in the third quarter of Super Bowl 52 and the Eagles clinging to a 22-19 lead, Nick Foles connected with Corey Clement in the back of the end zone on a spectacular 22-yard touchdown pass:
Nick Foles throws a DIME to Corey Clement for a TD.pic.twitter.com/VwRTHnZ5YV
— LeadingNFL ™ (@LeadingNFL) February 5, 2018
It was one of a handful of defining plays in a game that wouldn’t be decided, of course, until a last-second Tom Brady desperation heave fell incomplete in the end zone as time expired.
The play, like many similar ones over the past few seasons, was hotly debated in the days following the game. Many believed the catch, which helped stave off a furious New England second half push, shouldn’t have been a catch at all. Thus, rather than simply enjoying what was a fantastic play in a crucial spot, we were forced to listen as pundits scrutinized the nuances of what constitutes a catch in the NFL, bringing us the most fiery of takes such as this one:
Valid point? Maybe. But also – shut up.
Anyway, altering the catch rule was one of the NFL’s top priorities this offseason, given the weekly befuddlement of fans, players, coaches, and even referees over what makes a catch, well, a catch. According to NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating Al Riveron, the NFL Competition Committee has come to an agreement on changes to the existing rule that will be unveiled at the league’s annual meetings next week.
After much deliberation & input from coaches, players, @NFLLegends, & club executives, the @NFL Competition Committee will recommend the following language simplifying the catch rule at the Annual Meeting next week. pic.twitter.com/hJwH5YYBRK
— Al Riveron (@alriveron) March 21, 2018
As for Clement’s touchdown, it was ruled a catch in the Super Bowl and it will be ruled a catch this upcoming season if the proposal is approved as expected.
The changes should result in both more catches and more fumbles, but it remains to be seen if it will also result in less confusion. And, hey, good news for Cowboys fans. I know it’s been a slow offseason, aside from that electric late-round pick swap and acquisition of fullback Jamize Olawale from the Raiders, but here’s something to fall back on. That Dez Bryant drop late in the 2014 NFC Divisional Playoff game in Green Bay that you haven’t stopped talking about for the past three seasons? Under the new proposal, it would be ruled a catch:
.@NFL Competition Committee proposal noted in the previous tweet simplifies the catch process & allows for plays such as the @DezBryant (2014 post-season) and @JJames18_ (2017 season) to become catches. pic.twitter.com/K2caIndpGZ
— Al Riveron (@alriveron) March 21, 2018
One more reason to live in the past. Good for you guys.
6 Comments
BWanks, how are your ropes?
i come here for the t shirts…where are the knockoff t shirts
On the Clement catch, some angles appear to show rubber flying up like his left foot drug in bounds before landing out. If they had determined he bobbled it, would that mean it still would have been a catch? or would that not matter?
why is the cuz’s 1st hour of his show is all commercials
That’s how radio generates revenue.
Have to go podcast . Don’t have to deal with that shit