NFL Notes: Catch Rule, Cowboys, Raiders, & Redskins

Catch Rule

NFL head of officiating Dean Blandino mentioned on the NFL Network before the Pro Bowl that he doesn’t anticipate any major changes to the catch rule, and instead believes it’s “in a good place right now.”

“We think that the rule is in a good place right now,” Blandino said, via Will Brinson of CBS Sports. “I really think it’s just communicating the rule and educating, There’s a subjective element to the rule so there are always going to be those plays where we debate [what happened].”

“Maybe there’s another tweak,” Blandino added. “But I don’t anticipate any major changes.”

Cowboys

Cowboys WR Dez Bryant said that he would love to see Dallas re-sign impending free agent DE Greg Hardy, even with the obvious concerns.

“You see guys perform at a high level around him, and that’s what he brings to the defense,” Bryant told Sporting News. “I know I would love to see Greg back with us. He’s a great teammate. I love him. I hope we can get him back.

“Greg Hardy loves the game. Anybody who loves the game, I love him.”

Raiders

Former Raiders executive Amy Trask said that they were in discussions with the 49ers about sharing Levi’s stadium while Al Davis was still alive.

“It certainly was not his first choice, but he did understand the economic efficiency of sharing a building,” Trask told USA TODAY Sports.

However, the idea of the Raiders joining the 49ers in San Francisco essentially much died when Davis did, according to Trask.

Interestingly enough, Jamie Matthews, the mayor of Santa Clara and chairman of the public stadium authority that owns the stadium, said that Levi’s stadium was actually built to host two teams.

“Levi’s Stadium was built to accommodate two home teams,” said Matthews. “We already have the locker rooms built for two home teams. We set up the LED lighting so they could change the whole feel of the stadium with the flick of a switch. All the environmental work on it has been completed, and all the work permits. If we had a second team, they could move in tomorrow.”

• Vincent Bonsignore mentions that if the city of Oakland were to put together a viable stadium plan for the Raiders, it would change the dynamics of the situation.
• However, the NFL views this scenario as being “oceans away” from a viable option.

Redskins

Redskins GM Scot McCloughan said at the Senior Bowl that they’re still waiting to hear from veteran DL Jason Hatcher regarding his plans for next season.

“No,” McCloughan said at the Senior Bowl when asked if there was any update regarding Hatcher’s status, via CSN Washington. “I talked to him too and I said, ‘Listen, you do what’s best for you and your family. You’ve had a really good career and we’d love to have you back.’”