ORLANDO, Fla. — Maybe it's too late for Jesse James and the Steelers or Zach Miller and the Bears.
No matter, the NFL has a simplified catch rule designed to eliminate confusion — and, the league hopes, controversy — about receptions.
Team owners unanimously approved the new language Tuesday, with basically three elements defining a catch:
—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.
"We wanted to simplify and provide clarity," Pittsburgh coach and longtime competition committee member Mike Tomlin said.