INDIANAPOLIS — The duties of Broncos general manager extend far beyond evaluating and meeting prospects at the NFL scouting combine. As a member of the NFL’s competition committee, he’s spent much of his time here thus far discussing possible changes to the league’s rule book.
Among those is to clarify what is a catch, a question that has seemingly grown more complex and confusing with each season. Another, according , was about the defensive pass interference penalty. The committee apparently discussed possibly changing it from a spot foul to a 15-yard penalty, which is how it’s called in college.
Though the discussion was just that — proposed changes won’t be voted on until March during the league’s annual meeting — it caught the attention of players and coaches, including Denver’s .
“The DPI rule is not going to change,” Joseph said Wednesday at the combine. “That’s nice media talk. That’s not going to change. The catch rule in my opinion, it has to clear up what’s an actual catch and what is not an actual catch. But the DPI rule is not going to change. It’s a fun game. We like to see points being scored. If that rule changes, there are going to be a lot of defensive backs grabbing and pulling guys. So that won’t change.”
Broncos receiver sure hopes not.
In a that began Tuesday evening and carried into Wednesday, Sanders vehemently opposed the change, arguing that the 15-yard penalty would incentivize defensive backs to tug on receivers’ jerseys and would eliminate opportunities for big offensive plays.
“If a DB is beaten and not looking at the ball … why should the receiver be punished for winning?” Sanders Tuesday evening. “Thatap a game changing play, you know how hard it is to complete a deep ball? This rule will make it damn near impossible to stretch the field.
“Again, completing a deep ball is extremely difficult in the NFL. Itap why it doesn’t happen very often … this rule won’t just affect receivers, a lot has to go right to even have a chance to catch it. O-line has to block longer, QB has to throw perfect ball …”
Sanders added that the implications of such a rule change would be wide-ranging because “the deep ball sets up all routes,” something he expounded upon during a NFL UK tour with Redskins cornerback Josh Norman.
“It sets up the curl, comeback, dig. Without the threat or giving DB incentivizes to sit at 15 yards will make the field smaller. There won’t be much (separation) at top of routes which changes passing game,” Sanders tweeted.
“DBs panic and grab — thatap their fault. Itap not a cop out itap playing on the DBs fears of getting beat. QB isn’t HOPING he’s TRUSTING his guy will make a play or the DB will panic. You eliminate that then get ready for 7 to 10 games & 200 passing yards.”
The deep ball puts fear in the ❤️ of the DB and sets up all other routes.
— Emmanuel Sanders (@ESanders_10)
Once you’ve established the deep ball, the whole route tree opens up. Then itap end zone boogie time 🕺🏾🕺🏾
— Emmanuel Sanders (@ESanders_10)
