Patriots news: Bill Belichick says end zone catch rule is tough, but clear

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick says NFL's criteria for catch rule is clear, acknowledges that it is still tough.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were on the brink of finally getting their revenge on the New England Patriots. Following a series of clutch plays from both teams, veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger found tight end Jesse James for what appeared to be a game-winning touchdown.

However, it was quickly reversed after a controversial ruling of an incomplete pass, which ultimately led to the Patriots victory. While the entire NFL world has given its opinion on whether or not it was a touchdown, New England head coach Bill Belichick offered up his thoughts on the catch rule, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk

“Well, I think that’s really a conversation for people like [NFL senior vice president of officiating] Al [Riveron] and the league and so forth. But, there’s always been a philosophy in the league and it’s gone back several decades of philosophically whether you want to have a catch and a fumble or an incomplete pass, and the philosophy has always been incomplete pass. Otherwise, you’d have a million catches and fumbles. I agree with that. The catch in the end zone is very clearly stated, so you’ve got to complete a catch. It’s pretty clear. Whether there’s a better way to do that, I don’t know. It’s a tough rule. It’s a bang-bang play. It could go either way, so I think you have to have a philosophy and whatever philosophy you have then there will be people on the other side with a different philosophy and then it really gets back into that whole discussion. I think if you’ve got a better way to do it, suggest it and let somebody take a look at it and we’ll talk about it. I don’t know.”

Belichick's comments indicate that perhaps even he is not exactly sure as to criteria of what the league actually rules as a catch. As a result, he has taken every precaution to make sure the players never find themselves in such a predicament.

Rumors recently swirled that Belichick had been adamant about telling his players never to try and reach across the goal line or extra yards for a first.

Furthermore, it was said that those who attempted to do so would promptly be benched. Although he did not acknowledge the extent to which he would actually punish his players, he did confirm that the Patriots have been sure to discuss all possible outcomes with them.