Pass interference to remain spot foul
While the NFL continues to evolve the definition of a catch, players trying to prevent them will be working with the usual pass interference rules.
Defensive pass interference is expected to remain a spot foul, meaning the ball is placed at the location where the infraction occurred, which is different than the "DPI" application in the college game.
In college football, pass interference is a stock 15-yard penalty.
Momentum to eliminate the spot foul aspect of DPI in the NFL appeared to be building, according to Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome at the NFL Scouting Combine, but coaches and owners gave the change a thumbs down.
According to NFL Network, there is so little support for altering the rule that it will not be on the agenda of items the competition committee will broach at owner's meetings in Orlando, Fla.
However, amendments to the rule book such as the much-discussed catch rule remain on the agenda.
In 2017, there were 129 DPI penalties of more than 15 yards.
NFL Network reported the opposition to the rule pointed to that statistic, and the likelihood that one big pass interference penalty can change the game, as reasons to retain the status quo.
--Field Level Media
