NFL's April Fool's Change To Catch Rule Literally Leaves Calls In Hands Of Receivers With 'Honor System'

By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston

BOSTON (CBS) -- Considering the NFL's constant thirst for more big plays, more yards, more touchdowns, and more offense in general, it would not be much of a shock if this "change" to the controversial "catch rule" became a reality. It would certainly move games along much quicker.

Brad Wilson, a fake "NFL Special Assistant Of Officiating," speaks to the NFL Network's Colleen Wolfe on the new rule change, an obvious April Fool's Day joke but one that might be a better solution than whatever the referees do nowadays to determine a catch.

"Look, there's only one person on the field who knows whether or not a pass was caught or incomplete, and that's the receiver," says Wilson. "So we're going to just have to ask the receivers to use the honor system and they'll tell us whether or not they caught the ball."

At least with the honor system you wouldn't have to sit through review timeouts, listen to Ed Hochuli bloviate for two full minutes on how many millimeters there were between the football and the turf or the receiver's toe and the chalk. Dallas Cowboys fans would probably be happy if this were a real change...

Dez Bryant makes a catch over Sam Shields of the Green Bay Packers in the 2014 NFC Divisional Playoffs. The catch was overturned. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)

(Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)

Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys waits for a replay on a call late in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the 2015 NFC Divisional Playoff. His catch call was overturned. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Considering the NFL's incompetence in recent seasons and the controversy constantly swirling around the catch rule, this video may come across as tone-deaf to some fans. On the other hand, at least they are aware of the joke that is the current catch rules.

Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.