Wild Julio Jones play called incomplete as NFL catch rule continues to confuse everyone
The NFL might not have solved its catch rule problem
When the NFL decided to modify its catch rule this offseason, the idea was to simplify it, but apparently, that's not quite what happened.
As a matter of fact, the rule might have somehow gotten even more confusing.
Less than three quarters into the first game of the NFL season, the catch rule reared its ugly head and potentially cost Julio Jones a 51-yard reception.
With just over 11 minutes left to play in the third quarter, Matt Ryan dropped back to pass on a second-and-10 play from his own 32-yard line, and that's when this happened.
Catch didn't count but that footwork 😳 @juliojones_11 pic.twitter.com/zpKBZCFH0h
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 7, 2018
Jones made a wild juggling catch as he was sliding out of bounds. Unfortunately for Jones, the catch didn't count because it was ruled incomplete on the field. However, Jones was pretty certain that he caught it, so Falcons coach Dan Quinn challenged the ruling on the field.
Under the new rule, it really seemed like they were going to overturn the call and give Jones a catch.
The new rule -- as written -- is pretty simple. Here's what the receiver has to to:
1. Control of the ball.
2. Two feet down or another body part.
3. A football move such as: a third step; reaching/extending for the line-to-gain; or the ability to perform such an act.
The only part that's debatable on the play is whether or not Jones pulled off a football move. What we do know is that he did control it after initially juggling the ball.
Atlanta is challenging the call of incomplete pass. pic.twitter.com/c42KFZNm6I
— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 7, 2018
Despite the fact that the play looked like a catch, the call of incomplete was upheld on the field, which caused a total meltdown on Twitter.
HE SECURES THE BALL, IT'S NOT MOVING AND HE'S HOLDING IT WITH HIS HANDS WHILE SITTING COMPLETELY IN BOUNDS WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE? pic.twitter.com/ToQjI6iV9h
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) September 7, 2018
Most challenging things to teach small children:
— Todd Fuhrman (@ToddFuhrman) September 7, 2018
1) Where babies come from
2) Why sports betting and alcohol consumption were once prohibited
3) What defines a catch in the NFL
4) The oral history of the Belk Bowl
Took all of 35 minutes into the first game of the season for it to become completely arbitrary what is, and is not, a catch
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) September 7, 2018
Oh for God’s sake. What about that wasn’t a catch?
— Cousin Sal (@TheCousinSal) September 7, 2018
It’s 2018.
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) September 7, 2018
... And we still don’t know what a catch is. pic.twitter.com/h3iStbPCUs
Once again nobody knows what a catch is. Same old NFL.
— Mike Francesa (@MikeFrancesa) September 7, 2018
The year is 2035 and the NFL still doesn’t know what a catch is
— Kevin (@ToKeNasty) September 7, 2018
This officiating is just awful. Might as well eliminate replay if that’s not a catch.
— Joe Banner (@JoeBanner13) September 7, 2018
Moral of the story: No one knows what a catch is, so please mentally prepare yourself to have your heart broken multiple times due to the new catch rule in 2018.
















